If you’re struggling to remember where you parked your car or you’re looking to keep a better eye on your teen driver, tracking a car with GPS on your phone is a simple solution.
You don’t have to spend waves of cash for expensive equipment you could not possibly need, nor should you pay for a monthly service. There are many free options available that will do just about everything you want it to do.
In this article, I tackle some of the best ways to track a car with GPS from your phone, as well as advise when you may want to consider a dedicated GPS tracker.
How to Track a Car with GPS on Your Phone?
To track your vehicle with GPS you can utilize the native Android features, Apple Maps or Google Maps. Alternatively, the Parked Car Locator, Find My Car – GPS Navigation or Prey can also be utilized as third-party apps if your device is compatible.
Here’s a breakdown of how to track a car with GPS on your phone:
#1. Google Maps.
You can track your parked car on Google Maps whether you have an Android or iPhone, but the steps follow slightly varied procedures depending on device type.
From an Android device, you will tap the blue pin that displays your current location. Before leaving your parked location, tap the bottom and select More Info. At this point you can input notes about your location. You can also add a photo of the area to aid in car location, or add a time left if you are parked at a metered parking area.
From the iPhone device, you tap the blue pin and then set the location to parked car or whatever you call it. If you swipe it, you can input more details.
Once you saved the vehicle, you can map to parking reminder whenever you are ready. Similar to the last app, this feature can only help you find the parked car, not track the vehicle when someone else has possession of the vehicle.
#2. Native Android Features.
For Android devices released after 2014, there is a built-in feature called Find My Device (previously called Find My Android). This feature will only be a benefit if you’re trying to find your device or that of someone you care about.
The way this service works, is the device that is being tracked will ping the location of the device back to the smart device. You have the option to see the location of the device when you want via the Google web interface. You do need a Google account to utilize these features.
To activate the feature on-device, navigate to “Settings” on device. Tap on “Lock Screen and Security.” There will be an option called “Other Security Settings.” Select the option “Device Admin Apps”. You will now select the option to toggle Find My Device – Activate – Close.
You will be able to sign into the Find My Device Dashboard via the web browser and sign into the Google account that is connected. Once the device is connected to the system, you will be able to see it via real-time location.
#3. Apple Maps.
On your iOS device, you can use Apple Maps tracking features. This functionality is useful if you are unsure where you parked your car.
To activate this feature, go to Settings – Privacy – Location Services from your iPhone. Then enable Location Services. Next, navigate to Settings – Maps and enable Show Parked Location.
When you leave your car, you will need to drop a pin on the map to designate where you parked. Once you are ready to find your car again, just go back to the Maps app and it will give you directions.
The app is beneficial for helping find a parked car, but does nothing to track the car when you don’t have control of the car. If you are trying to keep tabs on a younger driver, you will need a different app.
#4. Parked Car Locator.
The Parked Car Location app is designed for compatible Android devices. At your parking location, tap the compass icon to zoom in to your location, and tap the Park Here button.
To find your parked vehicle, open the app and follow the arrow until you arrive at your vehicle. You can also switch the view between normal, terrain, hybrid, or satellite.
#5. Find My Car – GPS Navigation.
Another useful Android app is Find My Car – GPS Navigation. This app allows you to leave a note about the current vehicle location so you can find it later. Simply tap on the Park button and type in a note or take a photo about the location.
When it’s time to find your parked car, open the app and hit Find My Car, and the app will provide navigation directions to get back to the parking space.
#6. Prey.
Prey is an app like Find My Device, but you can use it on multiple devices, such as Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows and Linux. Thus, you can track any device you want.
Prey is packaged as an anti-loss and anti-theft app, and you can do more than just track a mobile device.
When to Consider Dedicated GPS Tracker?
Using your smartphone as a tracker isn’t particularly challenging, and maybe you will do so for a little while. However, if you are looking for tracking capabilities for long periods of time, dedicated GPS devices are better altogether.
When using a tracking application you will use a lot of battery power, as your device will have lots of applications running in the background – hence the drained battery.
With a dedicated GPS, you only need to use your cell phone to view the tracking location so your phone does not need to use battery power.
Additionally, you are relying on a mobile phone signal. If you are tracking a vehicle that is in a bad reception area, the signal can become spotty.
Dedicated GPS devices are way more accurate, and pinpoint location much better – even for areas where cell phone signals are weak.
Dedicated GPS trackers start at about $20. For the price, it is probably worth it to prevent your phone from being damaged or getting abused in the tracking process.
Many of them even simply mount right to the car, meaning you will even know it is there when it gets stolen.