Locate by text message does not complete

system · 2017-04-09T15:09:05.000Z

On Android 7.1.1, latest Avast anti-theft 4.2.0.8278 . Mobile data is off (out of range).

If I send a text message from another mobile to my mobile to locate it, I get a text message back saying that this was successful and that my location has been reported to my predefined trusted number. However, if my mobile was locked, with the screen off, I do not get the position text message back as well.

If I go to the mobile I am trying to locate and simply turn on the screen with a single button press, without unlocking it, the location text message gets sent and received by the first friend (predefined) mobile.

It is as if the mobile I am trying to locate wants to tell me that the first message has been received and is waiting for an acknowledgement. This is clearly not what I need to happen. I need the phone to be located whatever state it is in (provided it is on).

Last time I tested this I didn’t have any problem, but I’m not sure if the screen was off and locked at the time.

Help!

Eddy · 2017-04-10T06:34:43.000Z

Looks to me the problem is with Android.
When the screen is off, several things are not running.
When it is off, the part that takes care of the respond is not working.

I’m not a Android expert, but this is how I see it.

system · 2017-04-10T07:55:02.000Z

Well yes, but that’s a problem for Avast as well. If Android prevents the locate function from working, the function is useless, which is a problem. If someone from avast would like me to test settings, or a beta version, I’d be happy to do so. I really want this to work.

Eddy · 2017-04-10T08:01:00.000Z

You can sign-up for beta testing > https://plus.google.com/communities/112394513906169233317

system · 2017-04-10T08:21:49.000Z

I have in the past for Mobile Security. However I am not sure this applies to the Anti-Theft component. I’d also want to know they had something specific to test to make the locate function work.

system · 2017-04-10T08:54:27.000Z

It’s worse than I thought. Even if the screen is off, but not locked, I still get no location until the screen is turned on again.

Any ideas anyone?

Eddy · 2017-04-10T08:58:33.000Z

As I said, Android is turning certain things off when the screen is off.
Only Google can change that.

system · 2017-04-10T09:18:22.000Z

But that means Anti-theft locate is useless. That can’t be right. I’m sure it worked with an earlier Android version. As I said before, with the screen off I get the locate text message, and avast responds with the sms to say it’s been received. All that’s missing is the 2nd sms to say what the location is.

I wonder whether when the screen is off there’s some setting that prevents anti-theft from getting the location, since it seems to be able to receive and send at least one sms.

Does the phone need to be rooted? (I can).

Asyn · 2017-04-10T09:23:35.000Z

Hi, see: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=90820.msg1374932#msg1374932

system · 2017-04-10T09:31:19.000Z

Sorry if I’m a bit slow, but are you saying that anti-theft is now unsupported so there is no point in my trying to use it?

Asyn · 2017-04-10T09:33:42.000Z

pastim post:10:

Sorry if I’m a bit slow, but are you saying that anti-theft is now unsupported so there is no point in my trying to use it?

AAT gets integrated in AMS Pro, so yes, the standalone version is no longer supported.

system · 2017-04-10T09:50:14.000Z

OK. Thanks. I am a Pro user. Any idea how long it might be before this integration happens? I was on the beta program and would be happy to do so again.

Asyn · 2017-04-10T09:56:46.000Z

pastim post:12:

OK. Thanks.

I am a Pro user. Any idea how long it might be before this integration happens?

I was on the beta program and would be happy to do so again.

You’re welcome.
Nope, but beta testing is already running…
Here you go: https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB250

system · 2017-04-10T10:05:02.000Z

Thanks. It seems I’m still in the beta program. I guess I shall just have to be patient…

Asyn · 2017-04-10T10:08:29.000Z

You’re welcome. Cheers.

system · 2017-04-10T12:25:30.000Z

I’ve tried using Google device location, which uses mobile data, and that works even if the screen is off and locked.

Locating using the Avast website and mobile data is not reliable, and doesn’t seem to work at all if the screen is off. Much of the time it seems unable to locate the device, and says anti-theft is off, when it isn’t.

I’ve also tried using another SMS locator app. It works even if the screen is locked.

So whatever future there is for the avast anti-theft feature, there is work to be done.

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