Location updates not being sent to Home Assistant on Pixel 10 Pro XL (Android 16)

[widowsson7]

The Home Assistant Companion app is not sending location updates to Home Assistant despite all sensors being enabled and permissions being correctly configured. The device tracker entity remains stuck on the last known location and never updates, even when the device moves significant distances (multiple kilometers) or when crossing zone boundaries.
To Reproduce:
Install HA Companion app on Google Pixel 10 Pro XL running Android 16
Configure mobile app integration with Home Assistant
Enable all location sensors:
Background location: Enabled
High accuracy mode: true
High accuracy update interval: 5 seconds
Location zone: Enabled
Single accurate location: Enabled (minimum accuracy: 50m, minimum time between updates: 15000ms)
Grant all required permissions:
Location: "Allow all the time"
Battery optimization: Disabled/Unrestricted
Background app refresh: Enabled
Move device more than 125 meters from home zone
Observe that device_tracker entity in Home Assistant never updates
Expected behavior:
Location should update at configured intervals (every 15 seconds for Single accurate location, every 5 seconds for High accuracy mode) and device tracker should reflect current GPS position.
Screenshots/Logs:
Device tracker shows last update: December 26, 2025 at 5:10:58 PM
Current time when testing: 5:44 PM (34 minutes with no updates)
GPS coordinates remain static despite device movement
Home Assistant Core logs show zero entries related to mobile_app or location updates from this device
Bluetooth sensor from same device updates correctly in real-time
lastAccurateLocationRequest attribute updates when sensor is toggled but location data is never sent to HA
Smartphone:
Device: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
OS: Android 16 (Build: BD3A.251105.010.E1)
App version: 2025.12.3-full (19482)
Home Assistant:
Core version: 2025.12.4
Installation type: Home Assistant OS (Proxmox VM)
Supervisor: 2025.12.3
Operating System: 16.3
Additional context:
Previously used Pixel 8 Pro with same Home Assistant instance - location tracking worked reliably
Removed and re-added phone to Home Assistant - issue persists
Force stopped and restarted app multiple times - no improvement
All Android system settings verified correct (Location Services ON, Google Location Accuracy ON)
Other sensors (Bluetooth, battery, etc.) from same device work correctly
Second Pixel device (Pixel 9 Pro) on same HA instance updates location normally
Issue appears to be specific to Pixel 10 Pro XL + Android 16 combination
This is Android 16 beta/developer preview which likely has new background location restrictions that the app hasn't adapted to yet
This prevents zone-based automations from working (e.g., garage door opening on arrival home).

[jpelgrom]

Are you using Home Assistant Cloud for remote access? If yes, this is a duplicate of #6194 and it will be fixed in the next beta.

[widowsson7]

Hi. I do occasionally use Nabu Casa for remote access, but mostly use my Ubiquiti UniFi Site Magic VPN. I read the other issue, and it does appear I've duplicated the report. Sorry about that.

I look forward to the next beta release and really appreciate your work on this.

[jpelgrom]

In that case, location updates / sensors should continue updating as long as you're connected to the VPN, correct? (assuming you have VPN set as your home network for the app)

[widowsson7]

Actually, I don't recall if I even tried that. I'll check that tonight.