Running BLE code on non-GPS Android devices

[Aftab]

Hi,

We are using this BLE chip (nRF52840) in our hardware, and we have written its corresponding code in Android too but Android app needs Location permissions and GPS chip to work.

We were wondering devices like Amazon kindle fire (https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_fire_hd_10_(2019)-10620.php) do not have GPS chip available how we can make sure that our app would work and can detect BLE devices on such devices. 

We need to respond to a customer who is using our app and for him app crashes because it does not have GPS chip in it even if we handle the crash would app be able to detect and pair to our BLE hardware without GPS?

Can you confirm if its a general issue with BLE that it needs location chip or its specific issue with Nordic BLE chips?

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Thanks

[awneil]

This is an Android issue - nothing to do with Nordic.

Aftab said:

Android app needs Location permissions

AIUI, That's because BLE scanning can be used for location finding.

[Aftab]

Means the devices without a GPS chip cannot use BLE at all?

[Jared]

Hi, 

As previous mentioned, GPS data is not an requirement in the BLE protocol. Most probably related to the app side on the phone.

regards

Jared