Troubleshooting
Common setup problems and how to fix them.
Allow restricted settings (Android 12+ installed from a file)
On Android 12 and later, apps installed directly from a file (like the download from GitHub) are blocked from using certain settings, including the overlay permission, until you allow them by hand. This step is not needed if you installed from the Play Store.
To allow restricted settings:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Go to Apps (sometimes called "Application Manager").
- Scroll down and tap locationjoystick.
- Tap the ⋮ (three-dot menu) in the top-right corner of the app info screen.
- Tap Allow restricted settings.
- Return to locationjoystick and go through setup again.
If you don't see the three-dot menu, your phone or Android version probably doesn't need this step. Skip it and keep going with setup as normal.
App missing from the "Select mock location app" list
Open the app at least once before checking the list. A freshly installed app won't show up until it's been launched. After that, turn Developer Options off and back on, or restart your phone, so the list refreshes.
On some phones (MIUI, ColorOS, and other custom Android versions), newly installed apps stay hidden from this list until you grant the "Allow restricted settings" permission above, or until after a restart. If the app still won't show up, try reinstalling it, then restart once more before checking again.
Mock location not detected
Some phones need a restart after you change the Developer Options setting. Try restarting, then tap Check again.
Overlay permission resets on restart
This is a known issue on some custom Android versions (MIUI, ColorOS). Grant the permission again after each restart, or check your phone's autostart settings.
Another app holds the mock location slot
Only one app can act as the mock location provider at a time. Make sure no other mock location app is selected in Developer Options.