Add option to collect WiFi stations

[daviewales]

Currently I alternate between TowerCollector and Mozilla Stumbler, so I can build up both data sets. Both OpenCellID and Mozilla location service accept WiFi information, which greatly increases the accuracy of location requests. However, I can only use Mozilla Stumbler to record WiFi data. If TowerCollector collected WiFi data, I could switch to only use TowerCollector, and upload to both databases from a single recording.

[zamojski]

Thank you for suggestion! I cannot find the information that OpenCellID supports WiFi. Can you send me a link?

[daviewales]

My mistake. I assumed that because Unwired Labs was behind OpenCellID, and Unwired Labs has WiFi data, that OpenCellID must also have WiFi. They must get their WiFi data from somewhere different.

It would still be nice to collect WiFi data for Mozilla however.

[zamojski]

I fully agree! I will put it on my list, thanks.

[nchristensen]

If this is implemented, it may also be good to consider allowing uploads to Radiocells (Cells and Wifi) and OpenWLANMap (Wifi only) (edit: both possibly defunct now).

[Iey4iej3]

Mozilla Stumbler uploads WiFi but sometimes it is continuously crashing / non-functional. I second the idea to add option to collect WiFi.

[zamojski]

Mozilla Stumbler was always crashing after couple of minutes and now is discontinued (I cannot recall the source), the only app you can use to contribute if Mozilla Firefox for Android.

In the meantime Google limited how often the apps can perform WiFi scans down to 4 times per 2-minute period. In the future it won't be possible to [trigger WiFi scans from the apps.](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/wifi/WifiManager#startScan()) Basically they're limiting direct WiFi usage from applications due to battery usage and performance reasons which makes things less attractive as a data source.

[som89]

It appears that starting from Android 10 the WiFi scan throttling can be disabled from the Developer options (or via adb). Perhaps adding the WiFi collection functionality can be re-considered?

[hexandcube]

Mozilla is retiring the Mozilla Stumbler app, so collecting Wi-Fi data through Tower Collector would've been great.

[pshirshov]

Hello, sorry about the necrobump. Though it would be very nice if you may support wifi endpoint collection. There is RadioBeacon project but it seems to be dead. The app works but it's dated and UX sucks. Maybe you may incorporate their code into TowerCollector and support https://radiocells.org/ as another upload target?

Many thanks!

[julianfairfax]

Since Mozilla Stumbler has been discontinued and the Firefox for Android app no longer supports contributing to MLS, this app, should it add support for it, would be the only way to do so. Please consider it! Here's a page that might prove useful: https://ichnaea.readthedocs.io/en/latest/api/geosubmit2.html

[Lee-Carre]

Mozilla Stumbler […] is discontinued (I cannot recall the source)

mozilla/MozStumbler.

[brycenesbitt]

| Mozilla Stumbler […] is discontinued (I cannot recall the source) https://wiki.mozilla.org/CloudServices/Location/Software

[hydrandt]

Tower Collector seems to be the only actively developed tool that can be used to contribute to Mozilla location service.

As an user of microG, which is now in a stage when things "just work" - besides coarse location - I'd like to help improve the MLS database.

Is there a chance that collecting wifi APs gets implemented? What is the complexity? And is it even as helpful for better location determination as I imagine it is?

[zamojski]

With my current spare time availability I doubt this will become part of Tower Collector within next couple of years. I wish I'd have more time to work on the project but this needs to wait...

[hydrandt]

Too bad - thank you for the answer!

[daviewales]

Neostumbler is a new app which can upload WiFi, phone towers, and Bluetooth beacons to BeaconDB, which is a new replacement for the discontinued Mozilla service.