How to Use an Old Smartphone as a GPS Tracker

In a world where gadgets change so quickly, many of us have old smartphones lying around that we don’t use anymore. They sit in drawers, collecting dust, not doing much. But what if I told you that these old phones could still be really useful? Instead of just keeping them around, we can turn them into something helpful—like a GPS tracking device!

What Should We Do with Our Old Smartphones?

I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t know what to do with their old phones. Even though they can’t run the latest apps, these phones still have GPS, internet, and sensors that work. Instead of throwing them away, why not use them as GPS trackers? This is a smart way to save money and help the environment.

In fact, according to the International Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, about 5.3 billion mobile phones were expected to be thrown away in 2022, a huge amount of waste, and by using just one old phone for other purposes, we can make a difference. Instead of letting these mobiles end up in dustbins, we can give them a new life.

The Need for Cheaper GPS Solutions

From my experience, especially in places like the Middle East and Africa, where tracking vehicles is really important, people need GPS tracking that doesn’t cost a lot. Regular GPS trackers can do a lot, but they can also be expensive. But many of us have old smartphones that can do the job just fine. So, why not use what we already have?

How I Turned My Old Smartphone into a GPS Tracker

Step 1: Installing a GPS Tracking App

The first thing I did to turn my old Android phone into a GPS tracker was to download a GPS tracking app. There are many easy-to-use apps on the Google Play Store. Here are a few I tried:

• Life360: Great for tracking family members.
• Find My Device: A built-in solution from Google.
• Skywonder’s Phone Tracker App: Works well for general purpose tracking like fleet tracking or personal tracking.

These apps use the phone’s GPS and internet connection to show real-time location. Once I installed the app, I logged in, set it up, and my old phone was ready to work as a GPS tracker.

Step 2: Securing the Device in My Vehicle

To keep the tracking going, I needed to secure the smartphone in my vehicle. I found that using a simple phone holder on the dashboard worked well. If you’re tracking a person or a small object, the phone can be kept in a safe pocket. For those managing many vehicles, I suggest connecting the phone to the vehicle’s power supply to keep it charged all the time.

Step 3: Watching the Location

Most GPS tracking apps have a second app or a website where I could see the phone’s location in real-time like in case of Skywonder’s phone tracker, you can track the phone using TraqCare GPS Tracking App. This feature made it easy to track my vehicle, look at past trips, and even make reports. The real-time tracking helped me manage my vehicle’s location better, making sure everything was going as planned.

Challenges I Faced While Using Smartphones as GPS Trackers

While using an old smartphone as a GPS tracker was convenient, it wasn’t without some challenges:

1. Battery Life: One of the first issues I ran into was the battery draining quickly. GPS tracking uses a lot of power, and even with a decent battery, my smartphone didn’t last the whole day. To solve this, I used a big power bank, which kept the battery going longer. For longer trips, connecting the phone to the vehicle’s power system was necessary.
2. Limited Features: Compared to special GPS trackers, my smartphone didn’t have some advanced features like checking fuel levels or how the vehicle was running. But it still provided useful data like real-time location and speed, which was good enough for my needs.
3. Security Concerns: I was worried about using a smartphone for tracking. Smartphones can be stolen or hacked. To be safe I turned on remote wiping and screen locking so my data was protected.
4. Signal Issues: GPS tracking on a smartphone needs both GPS and internet signals. I noticed that in areas with no network signal tracking wasn’t as accurate. Remember that if you’ll be using the phone in far places.

Benefits of Using an Old Smartphone as a GPS Tracker

Despite the challenges there were some great benefits of using an old smartphone as a GPS tracker:

1. Saves Money: For me the biggest benefit was saving money. I didn’t have to buy a new GPS tracking device. This is perfect for small businesses or people like me who don’t want to spend too much.
2. Easy to Use: Setting up my smartphone as a GPS tracker was easy. Once the app is installed on the mobile, it is ready to track without any extra setup or equipment.
3. Multiple Uses: I liked that the smartphone could do more than just GPS tracking. It had a camera for taking pictures of deliveries and a simple screen for easy use.
4. Portable: Unlike special GPS trackers that stay in one place my smartphone was easy to move around and use for different tracking jobs like keeping an eye on people or things.

Real-Life Example: Fleet Management with Smartphones in Kenya

One success story I’ve seen is about a transport company in Kenya. They decided to use smartphones as GPS trackers for their delivery vehicles. By installing a tracking app on old smartphones, they could watch their vehicles in real-time without buying new tracking devices. The smartphones were secured in the vehicles and connected to the vehicle’s power supply to keep them running all the time.

The results were great:

• Saved Money: The company saved money by using old smartphones instead of buying new GPS trackers.
• Improved Efficiency: Real-time tracking helped the company plan better routes, save on fuel, and make deliveries to time.
• Better Communication: Drivers used the smartphones to report traffic, delays, accidents, expenses or other issues directly to the fleet manager, improving how they worked together.

But the company also had some challenges, like sometimes losing signal in remote areas and needing to replace old phones with newer ones as they stopped working well.

Conclusion: A Good option for Basic GPS Tracking

After my experience and seeing stories like the one from Kenya, I can say that using an old smartphone as a GPS tracking device is a smart and affordable solution. While it might not have all the features of special GPS trackers, it still does a good job for basic tracking needs. The key is choosing the right tracking app, making sure the phone stays charged, and knowing the limits of using a smartphone for this.

At Skywonder Technology Company Limited, where I’ve worked for over 12 years, we see the potential of smartphones in the GPS tracking industry. As a leading GPS tracker maker and supplier, we always look for new solutions to meet the changing needs of our customers across the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. Whether you’re looking to use an old device or invest in a special GPS tracker, we offer a range of products and services to help with your tracking needs.

For more information on how to improve your tracking with our GPS solutions, visit our website or contact our team of experts. We’re here to help you find the best tracking solution for your needs, whether it’s repurposing an old smartphone or using a top-notch GPS tracking device.

FAQs

1: Can I use an old phone as a GPS tracker?

Yes, you can turn an old Android phone into a GPS tracker by installing a GPS tracking app and securing the phone in your vehicle or with the item you want to track.

2: How does a smartphone compare to a dedicated GPS tracker? 

While smartphones offer basic GPS tracking, they don’t have some advanced features like checking fuel levels or how the vehicle is running, which dedicated GPS trackers offer.

3: What are the limits of using a smartphone as a GPS tracker? 

Limits include battery life, depending on internet signals, and fewer safety features compared to dedicated GPS trackers.

4: Is it smart to use a smartphone as a GPS tracker? 

Yes, using an old smartphone can be a smart and money-saving solution, especially for small businesses or personal tracking needs.