Locate Android Device

With Relution it is possible to locate Android Enterprise devices.
The action can be triggered in the Inventory on the Device to be located in the tab Location → Locate device. If a location is already available, the button is labeled Relocate device. After a request, the button is disabled until the location request triggered this way is completed, but for no longer than about 20 seconds. If the Relution Companion lacks the required permissions, it is disabled as well; while Lost Mode is active, it is not shown. Alternatively, in the tab Actions → Apply action → Locate device.

Each time a device is located, a notification is sent to the device’s notification menu. In addition, the process is displayed in the Relution Companion

The successfully located device is displayed on a map in the Location tab under Devices → Inventory → the device → Location.

Requirement #

The device must have a GPS module and an internet connection, as well as being switched on and basically locatable.

In Relution, locating must be enabled under Settings → Device Management → Enrollment in the Locate device row for the ownership of the device (COD or BYOD). By default, it is enabled for COD and disabled for BYOD. Devices with unknown ownership are locatable by default; this setting cannot be changed in the portal. If locating is disabled, Relution does not offer the Locate device action and hides the Location tab. For Android Enterprise devices in Lost Mode, the Location tab remains visible and updates the position about once a minute; the Locate device action is not available in this case either.

Further requirements are activated location services on the device in the settings or in the quick settings.
Relution grants the location permission of the Companion via the policy: if Locate device is enabled for COD, the permission is granted automatically, otherwise it is denied. This applies regardless of the ownership of the device. This default can be overridden via the Manage apps configuration.
Further Settings →

If these are deactivated, Relution shows the following message in the actions:

Unable to determine location; No location available; GPS is disabled; Network location is disabled.

If the services are activated, a successful message looks like this:

Determined current location, using fused provider, accuracy 13.37 meter, age <1m.

Viewing location in the Self-Service Portal #

Authorized users can also view the last known location of their own device directly on a map in the Self-Service Portal, without needing administrator access: View location on a map →

Notes #

• Pending actions
  Problems with positioning may occur if actions are still pending in Relution. These must be canceled and the action must be resubmitted.
• Location accuracy
  The option Location accuracy in the device settings has a significant influence on the location accuracy. If this setting is disabled, the location accuracy can be several hundred meters.
  For Samsung devices with Android 13, the setting can be found under Settings → Location → Location Services → Location Accuracy.
• Location Permission
  To limit potential misuse, Relution from version 5.31.0 onwards offers the ability to adjust a location permission. Details: Location Services →