How to use Android phones as GPS tracking devices

GPS is great for restoring lost or stolen devices and navigating while driving with Google Maps. It is especially convenient because GPS works even when the Internet is disconnected. Just download your map before that is okay!

But how to use Android phone as a GPS tracking device? This may not be the most reliable option and comes with some minor drawbacks, but it can still complete the job. Here's how to turn your Android device into a GPS tracking device.

Note : These instructions are based on Samsung Galaxy S8 running Android 8.0 Oreo, but the necessary steps will be relatively similar to most Android devices.

Follow up with original Android features

Most Android devices released from 2014 onwards have an integrated feature called Find My Device . This service continually brings the device's location back to Google servers, letting Google know where your device is. Then, you can use Google's web interface to see where your device is at any time. You will need a Google account to use this feature.

How to enable the Find My Device feature on Android

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1. Navigate to the Settings section of the device.

2. Click Lock screen and security .

3. Click Other security settings . (This step may not be necessary depending on your specific device and Android version).

4. Click Device admin apps . (This step can be called Device Administrators , depending on your specific device and Android version).

5. Click Find My Device .

6. Click Activate.

Note : To activate this service, you will need to allow 4 permissions:

1. One is the ability to delete all data ( Erase all data ).
2. The second is the ability to change your screen unlock password ( Change screen unlock password ).
3. The third is the ability to lock the screen ( Lock the screen ).
4. And four is the ability to turn off functions on the lock screen ( Turn off functions on the lock screen ).

The interesting thing about Find My Device is that it is not only a tracker but also allows you to remotely control devices in the ways mentioned above.

How to use the Find My Device feature on Android

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Once activated, all you have to do is launch the web browser, navigate to the Find My Device control panel and log in to your Google account (the same account associated with the device).

When you log in, select the device you want to locate, click the Locate button for the device you have said. It will show the closest known location and the last detected distance. According to the experience of many users, the application's ability to determine is relatively accurate.

Follow up with third party Android apps

If you don't like Find My Device for any reason, you can always use one of the many third-party alternatives available on Google Play Store. These applications are easy to install and you don't really have to do anything, in addition to creating an account to use them.

There are two options that the article recommends:

1. Lookout: Lookout is an 'all in one' security solution, in which tracking the device is just one of its many features. Therefore, choosing Lookout may be a bit overkill, if device tracking is the only feature you care about. But if your device lacks a good antivirus application, you can also use Lookout with the motto 'an arrow hits two targets.

2. Prey: During the actual use, Prey is very similar to Find My Device. A big advantage of Prey is its availability on many other platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux and iPhone, so you can keep track of all your devices from anywhere.

Most of these applications are marketed as anti-theft security and theft protection software for Android. They are definitely useful for those purposes, but you can also use them to track GPS, if you want.

Refer to the article: Find friends via GPS with these 7 free Android apps.

Mount Android device to track

When your device is set up to be able to track, whether you use Find My Device or a third-party application, the only thing left to do is to attach the device to the person or object you want to follow. . But obviously, it's easier said than done.

Would you like to know how to track a car by mobile phone?

The most easy and effective option is to use a magnetic car mount. Most two-part kits come with a magnetic insert (something you put inside your device's cladding) and a magnetic base (magnetic base, which you attach to any object you want). follow). Magnetic force must be strong enough for your phone to be firmly attached to the base.

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WizGear Universal Stick-On Magnetic Car Mount

Reference price: $ 11.99 (279,000VND)

The Stick-On Magnetic Car Mount WizGear Universal product is convenient and affordable. It uses adhesives and contains 10 magnets for maximum magnetic strength.

WizGear Universal Suction Magnetic Car Mount Cup

Reference price: $ 14.99 (VND 349,000)

If you find that the use of adhesives is not sure, you can consider WizGear Universal Suction Magnetic Car Mount Cup. This product has very strong suction pins, ensuring you can hold your device firmly.

Pop-Tech Universal Mount Mount

Reference price: $ 4.99 (116,000 VND)

What if you don't have a phone panel? Instead, you can use adhesive metal plates, such as Pop-Tech Universal Adhesive Metal Mounts. They stick right to the back of the device and allow you to use the rack as usual.

Nothing can defeat a dedicated GPS tracker

Although your Android device can act as a tracker, don't expect it to beat a dedicated tracking device. There are three main drawbacks that you should keep in mind and if any of these are true for you, you should consider using an alternate dedicated monitor:

1. Battery life : Your smartphone always has a lot of software running in the background, such as system-level services, third-party applications and all those processes will exhaust the battery. A dedicated GPS tracker only needs to handle GPS tracking, resulting in a longer battery life for each charge.

2. Signal quality : The GPS navigation device is not perfect, but their signal is far superior to the smartphone signal. Thus, dedicated GPS trackers are not only more accurate, but they can continue to be monitored even in areas where smartphones often do not work.

3. Risks and costs : Are you ready to lose your Android device? What if you attached it to the undercarriage and it fell off the highway? The dedicated GPS tracker is easier to install, stronger and even if they are lost or damaged, the replacement will not cost you too much money.

In other words, don't convert your Android phone into a GPS tracker, unless there's no other option. For a more reliable and accurate alternative, consider trying a product, such as Spy Tec Portable GPS Tracker.

Wish you find the right choice!