You can track a run on a Galaxy S6 without leaving location tracking on all day: enable GPS-capable Location for the run, start a compatible tracker before you set off, then stop recording when you finish. GPS route recording uses battery; the practical goal is to limit tracking to the activity, not to run GPS with zero battery cost.
Set up the Galaxy S6 for GPS run tracking
-
Open Settings > Connections > Location and turn Location on. On the Galaxy S6 G920P, the locating-method selector is on this screen; the exact path can vary by carrier and software version. Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Choose High accuracy or Device only. High accuracy combines GPS with Wi-Fi and mobile-network assistance; Device only uses GPS alone. Both are GPS-capable choices for an outdoor route.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Do not choose Battery saving if you need a GPS route. The G920P guide defines that mode as using Wi-Fi and mobile networks with “no GPS,” so it is not equivalent to GPS route tracking. Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide
#1 Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy S6 G920T 32GB T-Mobile - Black Sapphire- Infra: 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA,4G LTE FDD; 2G GSM: GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900; 3G UMTS: B1(2100), B2(1900), B4(AWS), B5(850); 4G FDD LTE: B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B12(700), B17(700), B20(800)
- Exynos 7420 Octa-core 64-bit
- Android 5.0, Lollipop
- Super AMOLED Main Display Technology
- Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, HR Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor
-
Open a run-tracking app that is available for your particular S6 and Android release. If prompted, allow location access while the app is in use, if that permission choice is offered. Google Fit says location can be used to calculate activity distance and create a map in the activity journal. Google Fit Help
-
Start the activity recording just before you begin running. Check that the app shows it is recording, then stop and save the activity when you finish. This keeps app-based route recording tied to the run instead of leaving it active all day.
Choose a location mode for the route you need
| Mode | Location sources | What it means for run tracking |
|---|---|---|
| High accuracy | GPS plus Wi-Fi and mobile networks | GPS-capable and assisted by other location sources; appropriate when you want a mapped outdoor route. |
| Device only | GPS alone | GPS-capable without Wi-Fi or mobile-network assistance. General Android guidance says it may estimate location more slowly and use more battery than Battery saving mode; that is not a measured comparison with High accuracy on an S6 run. Google Android Help |
| Battery saving | Wi-Fi and mobile networks; no GPS on the G920P | Not suitable when the run needs a GPS route. Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide |
The available evidence does not establish which of High accuracy and Device only gives a more accurate running track or a measurable battery saving on a Galaxy S6. Choose a GPS-capable mode, then check whether your route recording has gaps.
Rank #2
- This device does not come with a SIM card. If you do not currently have a SIM card, you may need to purchase one from your service provider in order to use this device.
Keep power-saving features from interrupting a run
The S6 manual says ordinary Power saving mode restricts location services and most background data. Ultra power saving mode limits the phone to a restricted set of apps. Either can interfere with an app that needs to keep recording location during your activity. Samsung Galaxy S6 guide
-
Avoid Ultra power saving mode while tracking unless you have confirmed the tracker remains available and records correctly.
-
If ordinary Power saving mode is on, check the app’s recording status during a short test run; do not assume the GPS recording will continue normally.
Rank #3
Samsung Galaxy S6 G920a 32GB Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Octa-Core Smartphone w/ 16MP Camera - Black (No Warranty)- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen, 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution with Corning Gorilla Glass 4
- Android v5.0 Lollipop (Upgradeable), Chipset: Exynos 7420 Octa, Processor: Octa-Core (Quad-Core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & Quad-Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53), GPU: Mali-T760MP8
- 16 Megapixel Camera (2988 x 5312 pixels) f/1.9, 28mm, OIS, 1/2.6" Sensor Size + Front-Facing 5 Megapixel Camera with 1/4.1" Sensor Size, f/1.9, 22mm
- Internal Memory: 32GB, 3GB RAM
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot; Bluetooth: v4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX; GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS; NFC: Yes; Infrared Port: Yes; USB: microUSB v2.0, USB Host
-
After the test, inspect the saved map for route gaps and review Settings > Battery or the phone’s Battery usage screen to see how this individual phone and app behaved.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
What battery life to expect
There is no trustworthy, cited figure for how much battery a Galaxy S6 run uses per hour or per activity, and no controlled S6 test here comparing High accuracy with Device only. Battery condition, app behavior, signal, screen use, and installed software can all affect the result, so a fixed percentage or runtime would be misleading.
For a useful estimate on your own phone, record a representative run with your usual settings, then compare the Battery usage screen before and after and confirm the saved route is complete. App availability and permission labels can differ by carrier variant, Android version, and app release, so test a short recording before relying on the setup for a longer run.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
