How to use Location API in Android to track your current location?

This example demonstrates how do I use Location API in android to track your current location.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Add the following dependency in the build.gradle (Module:app) −

implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:17.0.0'

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<fragment xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:id="@+id/map"
   android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MapsActivity" />

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

import androidx.fragment.app.FragmentActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.CameraUpdateFactory;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.LatLng;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.MarkerOptions;
public class MapsActivity extends FragmentActivity implements
OnMapReadyCallback {
   GoogleMap mMap;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_maps);
      SupportMapFragment mapFragment = (SupportMapFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentById(R.id.map);
      mapFragment.getMapAsync(this);
   }
   @Override
   public void onMapReady(GoogleMap googleMap) {
      mMap = googleMap;
      LatLng myCurrentLocation = new LatLng(13.0827, 80.2707);
      mMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions().position(myCurrentLocation).title("This is My current Location"));
      mMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(myCurrentLocation));
   }
}

Step 4 − Open res/strings.xml and add the following code −

<resources>
   <string name="app_name">Sample</string>
   <string name="title_activity_maps">Map</string>
   <string name="google_maps_key" templateMergeStrategy="preserve" translatable="false">AIzaSyC19gZFIlF5OVySzG9iMAeDFzOmUuCHZ5Q</string>
</resources>

Step 5 − Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="app.com.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity
         android:name=".MapsActivity"
         android:label="@string/title_activity_maps">
            <intent-filter>
               <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
               <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
      </activity>
      <meta-data
         android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
         android:value="@string/google_maps_key" />
   </application>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from the android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −

Click here to download the project code.