You can record a GPS route on a Galaxy S6 without leaving location tracking on all day: enable Location, choose High accuracy or Device only, start a compatible run-tracking app when you begin, and stop it when you finish. GPS does use battery during the run, so no setting can make route recording battery-free.
Set up the Galaxy S6 for GPS run tracking
- Turn on Location. Open Settings > Connections > Location and enable Location. On the Galaxy S6 G920P, the location-method selector is on this screen; carrier and software variants may use different menu paths.
- Choose a GPS-capable mode. Select High accuracy to combine GPS with Wi-Fi and mobile networks, or Device only to use GPS alone. Either is a more suitable choice for a GPS route and distance than Battery saving mode. Samsung’s Galaxy S6 G920P guide says Battery saving uses Wi-Fi and mobile networks “(no GPS),” so it will not provide GPS route recording (Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide).
- Open your tracker when the run starts. Start recording at the beginning of the run and check that the app is actively recording before setting off. Google Fit says location can be used to calculate activity distance and create a map in the activity journal; location access can be managed in the app and Android permissions (Google Fit Help). If your Android version offers an “allow only while using the app” permission, use it if it suits your setup.
- Stop the recording at the end. End the activity when you finish rather than leaving the tracker running afterward. Check that the route was saved.
Which Location mode should you use?
| Mode | How it works on the S6 | What it means for a run |
|---|---|---|
| High accuracy | Combines GPS with Wi-Fi and mobile networks (Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide). | GPS-capable option for recording a route and distance, with network assistance. |
| Device only | Uses GPS alone (Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide). | Also GPS-capable. Google’s general Android guidance says Device only can take longer to estimate location and use more battery than Battery saving mode; that does not establish a measured battery difference between Device only and High accuracy for S6 runs (Google Android Help). |
| Battery saving | Uses Wi-Fi and mobile networks, with no GPS (Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide). | Not an equivalent choice for GPS route recording; a GPS route cannot be recorded with this mode as described in the S6 guide. |
Power-saving settings can interrupt a recording
Do not assume that a battery-saving mode will preserve a GPS workout. 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 usable apps (Samsung Galaxy S6 G920P guide). If you use either mode, verify that the tracker continues recording; for a reliable test, leave these restrictions off during a short trial run.
How to check battery use on your own S6
There is no source-backed, controlled Galaxy S6 run test that establishes a trustworthy battery drain per hour or per run. Battery condition, app behavior, signal quality, screen use, and software can all differ. To understand your phone’s behavior, check the S6’s Battery usage screen before and after a representative run, then inspect the saved route for gaps. Treat this as a check of your own device, not a universal estimate.
Check app compatibility and permissions
Specific run-tracking app compatibility has not been established for every Galaxy S6 carrier variant and Android release. Confirm the app is available on your phone, review its location permission, and make a short test recording before relying on it for a longer run. Menu names and permission choices can vary by Android version, carrier software, and app release.
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