每分钟发送位置的服务，即使应用程序在后台或系统重新启动

Question

I need to create an app to track the user location. The location must be sent to server every one minute (delays arent problems). But I'm having many troubles to set up a task/service that last forever (even if I close my app or reboot the system)

*get the "last location" isn't the problem, the only problem is having a task/service, that runs "forever")

I tried to use Service. But android, since Marshmallow(I guess) version, can kill background Apps and Services anytime(Its a feature to avoid many app creating background services/tasks and consuming too much battery and memory).

Now I'm trying to use the new androidx "Worker" since i'd like to build an app with minSdk=16 and the current maxSdk(29).But now i'm facing two problems: - The Worker cant run for more than 10 minutes (so I cant create a Worker that last forever). - I could create a PeriodicWorkRequest, but the min time to re-schedule a Worker is 15 minutes (I need to send the location every one minute).

I tried to use OneTimeWorkRequest and re-scheduling itself, but its not works after a system reboot.

Any ideas/solutions?

First schedule in the main activity:

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)

        WorkManager.getInstance(this).enqueue(
            OneTimeWorkRequest.Builder(WorkerTest::class.java).build()
        )
    }
}

the Worker (re-scheduling itself at the init of "doWork", with the one minute delay):

public class WorkerTest(context: Context, workerParams: WorkerParameters) : Worker(context, workerParams) {

    override fun doWork(): Result {
        WorkManager.getInstance(applicationContext).enqueue(
            OneTimeWorkRequest.Builder(this::class.java).setInitialDelay(1, TimeUnit.MINUTES).build()
        )

        //TODO get and send location

        return Result.success()
    }

}

Answer 1

Use AlarmManager and run every minute to send your request to the server.

https://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/AlarmManager

Answer 2

Well, I will tell you an idea:

1.Run your service on foreground/background: You can use a foreground service, this service is intended to run always, it is attached to a notification bar and if the user dismisses the notification the service will die, android will never let you run a service forever if the user is not aware of it.

2.Run your service after a Reboot: In order to run this service after a reboot, you will need to use a broadcast receiver for that system event. So when the reboot finishes you need to call your foreground service.

This is the road map that you have to follow. Remember that you will need user permissions for the location updates. And Depending on the SDK version the code, methods, and special needs on each one will be different.