Changing the GPS interval in the Meshtastic app

Changing the GPS interval in the Meshtastic app is a straightforward process, but it's important to understand the different settings available, as they all affect how your location is shared.

Here's a step-by-step guide to changing the GPS interval in the Meshtastic app on Android, which is the most widely documented version:

1. Connect to Your Device

  • Open the Meshtastic app on your smartphone.

  • Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

  • The app should automatically connect to your Meshtastic device if it is powered on and within range.

2. Navigate to Radio Configuration

  • Once connected, tap on the three vertical dots (ellipsis) icon in the top right corner of the app screen

  • From the drop-down menu, select Radio Configuration.

3. Adjust Position Settings

  • Within the Radio Configuration menu, you will see a list of different settings. Find and tap on the Position option.

  • This is where you'll find the main GPS settings for your device. Look for the following options:

    • GPS Update Interval: This setting controls how often your device's GPS module will attempt to get a new location fix from the satellites. A shorter interval (e.g., 30 seconds) will provide more frequent updates but will consume more battery power. A longer interval (e.g., 600 seconds/10 minutes) will save battery but provide less frequent location updates.

    • Position Broadcast Interval: This setting is the key to controlling how often your location is broadcast to the mesh network. Even if your device is getting a GPS fix every 30 seconds, you can set the broadcast interval to a much longer period (e.g., 900 seconds/15 minutes) to reduce network traffic and save battery.

    • Smart Broadcast: This is a very useful feature that is enabled by default. It allows the device to intelligently determine when to broadcast its position. If your device is in motion and its location changes by a certain amount (configurable), it will broadcast more frequently. When the device is stationary, it will revert to the broadcast interval you've set, or a minimum interval, to save power. It's often recommended to leave this on.

4. Save and Apply Changes

  • After you have adjusted the intervals to your liking, the app will automatically sync these changes to your Meshtastic device. There is no manual "save" button in the app for these settings. The changes are applied in real time.

Important Considerations:

  • Android vs. iOS: While the Android app is the most common and feature-rich, the iOS app and Web Client may have a slightly different layout. However, the core settings for "Radio Configuration" and "Position" will be similar.

  • Battery Life: Be mindful that more frequent GPS updates and broadcasts will significantly impact your device's battery life. Find a balance that suits your use case.

  • Channel-Specific Settings: You can also control whether your location is shared on a specific channel. In the Channels settings, each channel has a Position enabled. You can use this to share your location with one group (e.g., a private group with Position enabled) while not sharing it with another (e.g., a public channel with Position disabled).