Geo-location button not working on Android devices for my Short List based Story Map.

[GregoryKlein]

I've created two separate story maps using the short list template. The geo-locator button works on I-phones but not on Androids. Does anyone have any insight into this problem?

Here is one of my story maps using the short list template for which I'm having the problem...

Llano, TX B&Bs and Points-of-Interest 

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

Greg

[AdrianWelsh]

Hi Greg,

On your Android based device, are you sure that you have your location settings turned on to where apps can find your location? Have you tried a story map that you did not create on your android phone that has a geo-location button?

[GregoryKlein]

Hi Adrian,

Thank you for your response. Yes, I've made sure the location settings are turned-on for each of the few Android devices on which I've tested the app.

I created the short list based story map on my notebook computer, then opened it on both I-phones and Droids. I've not created any story maps, other than with the short list template, that use a geo-location button. The geo-location button is critical for use of these short list apps I created.

I've not been able to find any info online to help with this problem. This suggests it must not be a common problem, yet I can't figure-out what's wrong.

Greg

[AdrianWelsh]

Greg,

Have you tried just loading a shortlist story map on your android phone that you have not created? There are some examples here:

Gallery | Story Maps 

Though, not all have the location button.

I looked at a few on my phone (Android - Samsung S6) and could not get the geolocation button to work. So... maybe it is a bug? Take a look and see what you find.

You can potentially add the bug finding to this page:

Issues · Esri/shortlist-storytelling-template-js · GitHub 

[GregoryKlein]

Sorry for the late response. I've been offline but it looks as though the answer has come. Thank you for your help!

[StephenSylvia · Accepted solution]

There has been a recent security update to Chrome (which most Android phones use as their default browser) and potentially some other modern browsers that restrict the use of the locate button when loading the app over an insecure (http) connection. In order to user the locate button, you will need to make sure your app is loaded using an https url so there is a secure connection. Currently, it looks like your server does not have a valid certificate to support this. In a upcoming release, we are planning to hide the locate button when it is not available.

[GregoryKlein]

Hi Stephen. Thank you! That solves it. I'm moving the app to a secure hpps website. Glad to have that problems solved as it was making the map app useless to me, but I didn't want to give up on it. I appreciate it!

[larrycamp]

I've had this problem too on an Android, but not on iPhone or iPad. Here is an example site that doesn't have Location working on Android, but does for iPhone.

gis.franklincountypa.gov/taxparcelviewer

I'm not the author of the web map/app and have no control over the http or https.

Are you saying Location isn't going to work on Android/Chrome?

it also seems to not work on my desktop using Chrome. but does using IE.

[StephenSylvia]

That is correct. The Google Chrome browser (both desktop and Android) will not allow websites to request access to a users location unless the are not loaded over a secure (https) connection. This is a security restriction the browser puts in place to protect your privacy that a website cannot override. With an insecure connection, it is possible for anyone between you and the website's server to see your location (ISP, owner of a public wifi access point, or a hacker that has gained access to the network). Other browser like IE and iOS Safari do not have this same security restriction but they are left vulnerable to have your location accessible to others on the network. If you want to use this on your Android phone, you have three options:

1. Contact the Franklin County GIS department and request they add a https certificate to their server so you can use the geolocate button (Best Options).
2. The app does serve up an https version: https://gis.franklincountypa.gov/taxparcelviewer/, but because the server does not have a valid certificate, you will be prompted with a security warning. You can choose to proceed through this at your own risk by clicking the advanced options link then proceed link. If you do this, your location will be encrypted all the way to the app however, the browser just can't verify that you're sending it to Franklin County GIS department without that certificate.
3. Look for another browser on the Google Play store that does not have this security restriction (Least secure option).

[larrycamp]

Thank You! Very helpful.