GPS Icon Stays On After Android 15 Update on Samsung Galaxy– You’re not alone if you’ve recently updated your Samsung Galaxy device and noticed that the GPS icon is constantly showing. Many users, especially those running Android 15 or One UI 8, have seen a persistent green location indicator at the top of their screen, even when they’re not actively using GPS-heavy apps like Maps.
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But don’t panic—this is not necessarily a bug or a privacy invasion. In this article, we’ll dive deep into:
- Why does the GPS icon stay on
- What Android 15’s new location indicator means
- How to check which apps are using your location
- How to control or turn off location access
- And what does it all mean for your privacy and battery life
Let’s break it all down in a clear and friendly way.
Why Is the GPS Icon Always Showing on My Samsung Galaxy?
The constant GPS icon in your status bar results from a new feature introduced with Android 15 and One UI 8. It’s not a glitch—it’s part of an intentional design change to enhance transparency and privacy awareness.
Previously, apps could use your location in the background with little indication. Now, Android 15 displays a green location icon to inform you whenever any app is accessing your device’s location, even in the background.
What Does the Green GPS Icon Mean?
The green location (GPS) indicator shows that an app is actively using your location services. This can happen when:
- You’re using apps like Google Maps, Samsung Health, or Weather
- You’ve granted “Allow all the time” location access to apps
- A system service like Find My Mobile is running
- Background tracking for fitness or routines is active.
New in Android 15: This indicator appears even if the app only pings your location in the background, so it’s much more noticeable.
How to Check Which App Is Using Your Location
What app is triggering the GPS icon?
Tap the icon directly from your status bar. A pop-up will usually display the name of the app that is currently using your location.
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If that doesn’t work, you can always go through this route:
- Open Settings
- Tap on Location
- Tap App permissions or App access to the location
- Review the list of apps under:
- Allowed all the time
- Allowed only while in use
- Not allowed
The culprit app will likely have “Allowed all the time” access.
Should I Be Concerned About Privacy?
Not necessarily. This change is a positive step for user awareness. It makes it easier to see when apps are doing something with your location, something they could do before without you knowing.
That said, you’re in control.
If you feel uneasy about any app using location in the background, you can adjust or revoke its permissions.
⚙️ How to Turn Off GPS or Modify Location Settings
Here’s how to manage GPS settings on your Samsung Galaxy device running Android 15:
To Turn Off Location Completely:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Location
- Toggle the switch off
Note: Turning off location completely will affect features like Find My Device, maps navigation, weather updates, and even food delivery accuracy.
To Change Location Access for Specific Apps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Location
- Tap App permissions
- Choose the app you want to modify
- Select:
- Allow all the time
- Allow only while using the app
- Ask every time
- Don’t allow
This gives you complete control over which apps can track you, and when.
What Apps Commonly Use Location in the Background?
Some apps frequently use location data in the background:
- Weather apps – to keep your local forecast updated
- Fitness trackers – like Samsung Health, Google Fit
- Social media apps – for location-based tagging or check-ins
- Maps and navigation – even when not actively open, some apps prep routes in the background
- Find My Mobile or Google’s Find My Device
Don’t be surprised if a system app or service is behind the GPS icon.
Does Constant GPS Use Drain My Battery?
Yes, but only to a certain extent. Modern Samsung devices are optimised to manage background processes efficiently. However, continuous GPS usage can contribute to:
- Faster battery drain
- Increased background data use
- Device warming
Tip: If your battery drains faster than usual, check Settings > Battery > Background usage limits to put unneeded apps to sleep.
How Android 15 Improves Location Transparency
One of the most significant advantages of Android 15 is its commitment to user privacy. By highlighting background location use with a green icon, it:
- Increases transparency
- It helps you detect misbehaving apps
- It makes it easier to manage permissions
This is especially useful if you install a new app and suddenly notice your GPS icon is always on—now you know something’s up.
How to Customise Location Accuracy and Mode
Want to refine how your phone uses GPS?
To Adjust Location Accuracy:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Location
- Tap Location services
- Select Google Location Accuracy
- Toggle it on or off
To Disable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Scanning:
These features help improve location accuracy, but can be turned off:
- Go to Settings > Location > Location services
- Tap Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning
- Turn them off to save battery and limit background data collection
When Will the Icon Disappear?
The GPS icon will only disappear when:
- No app is using your location
- You’ve set all apps to “Allow only while using” or “Ask every time.”
- You’ve disabled location services entirely
Some apps or services still access your location even when it’s not needed.
️ Troubleshooting: GPS Icon Stuck On?
If you suspect the GPS icon is stuck or bugged, try the following:
1. Restart your device
Simple but effective.
2. Update all your apps
Go to Galaxy Store or Google Play Store > Update All.
3. Boot into Safe Mode
To check if a third-party app is responsible:
- Press and hold the power button
- Tap and hold Power off
- Tap Safe mode
If the icon disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party app is likely the cause.
4. Clear cache for suspected apps
Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear cache
✅ Wrap Up: No, You’re Not Being Tracked (At Least Not Secretly)
The GPS icon constantly showing on your Samsung Galaxy device after the Android 15 or One UI 8 update is not a bug. It’s a new privacy feature that makes the use of the background location more visible.
Key takeaways:
- The green icon shows when an app uses location, even in the background.
- You can check, control, or revoke any app’s location access.
- Android’s mission is to give users more control and awareness.
Bottom line? You’re not losing control—you’re gaining it.
Still concerned? Dive into your settings and customise your permissions. Your privacy is in your hands.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
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