How to Use an Android Smartphone as a Tracking Device for your Car

GPS on Android is incredible for many reasons. You’ve got the obvious uses, such as recovering your device when lost or stolen or navigating your way through hiking trails, and it’s especially nifty because GPS works even when the device isn’t connected to the internet. When navigating, you just need to download maps ahead of time.
But with GPS, an Android device could also be used for tracking. It may not be the most reliable method, and it does comes with some not-so-insignificant limitations, but it can get the job done. Here’s how you can use your device to pinpoint a person’s or object’s location.

Tracking with Native Features

Most Android devices released in 2014 or later have a built-in feature called Android Device Manager. This service constantly pings your device’s location back to Google’s servers so that Google knows where your device is. You can then use Google’s web interface to see where your device is at any given time. You’ll need a Google account to use this feature.
How to Enable Android Device Manager
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[*]Navigate to Android’s Settings.

[*]Under Personal, tap Security.

[*]Under Device Administration, tap Device Administrators.

[*]Tap Android Device Manager.

[*]Tap Activate.

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In order to activate this service, you’ll need to allow three permissions: the ability to erase all data, the ability to change your screen-unlock password, and the ability to lock the screen. The nice thing about Android Device Manager is that it’s not just a tracker — it lets you control the device from afar in these ways. Learn more in our overview of Android Device Manager.

Making Your Android Mountable

Once your device is set up as trackable, whether using Android Device Manager or a third-party app, there’s only thing left to do: attach the device to the person or object that you want to track. Obviously, this is much easier said than done.

The easiest and most effective option is to use a magnetic car mount. Most kits come with a magnetic insert that you place inside your device case along with a magnetic base that you mount somewhere. With a good model, the magnetic force should be strong enough for your phone to “snap” onto the base and stay there even across bumpy terrain.

The WizGear air vent mount is very convenient. If you’d rather stick the mount on some other surface, perhaps out of sight, then consider the WizGear suction cup mount (meant for dashboards but can be used elsewhere). If you don’t have a phone case, you can use adhesive metal plates instead, such as these by Pop-Tech.

Nothing Beats a Dedicated GPS Tracker

With all the above being said, don’t expect your Android device to pass for a serious tracking device. There are three main drawbacks that you should be aware of, and if any of these drawbacks prove problematic for you, then you should really consider using a dedicated tracker instead.

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[*]Battery Life — Smartphones are complex. There’s a lot of software running in the background at all times, including system-level services and third-party apps, and all of that processing is a burden on the battery. For this reason, a dedicated GPS tracker can last much longer than a smartphone even on a much smaller battery.

[*]Signal Quality — Though GPS trackers aren’t perfect by any stretch, their signals are far superior to smartphone signals. As such, not only are dedicated trackers more accurate, but they can keep tracking even in areas where smartphones would normally cut out.

[*]Risk and Cost — Are you willing to lose your Android device? Imagine mounting it to the undercarriage of a car only to have it fall off in the middle of some highway. Dedicated trackers are easier to mount, and even if they’re lost or damaged, they’re much cheaper to replace than smartphones. The overall risk is lower.

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