A GPS tracker tells you where a vehicle or item is, live, on your phone. It sounds complicated, but the idea is simple: the tracker works out where it is, then sends that location to an app over the mobile network.
Step one: finding its location
The tracker listens to signals from satellites overhead and uses them to work out its position. Outdoors with a clear view of the sky, a good tracker is accurate to within about five metres. Inside a building or an underground car park, accuracy drops because the satellite signals are weaker.
Step two: sending the location to you
On its own, GPS only tells the tracker where it is. To tell you, the tracker sends its position over the mobile network, which is why it needs a SIM card and a data plan. Our Elite GPS Tracker uses the 4G network and comes with 3 months of SIM data included, so it works straight out of the box.
Step three: seeing it in the app
The app on your phone shows the tracker on a map. Most apps also keep a history of where it has been, and can send alerts, for example when the vehicle moves or leaves an area you have set. The app for the Elite GPS Tracker is free to use, with no monthly app fees.
Battery life
Battery trackers trade update speed for battery life. A tracker that reports its position every few seconds uses more power than one that reports every few minutes or only when it moves. The Elite GPS Tracker has a 10,000mAh battery and lasts up to a month on standby. Hard-wired trackers draw power from the vehicle instead.
What people use GPS trackers for
- Keeping track of your own car, caravan, trailer or boat, and finding it quickly if it is stolen.
- Managing work vehicles and equipment.
- Knowing where a valuable item is while it is in transit.
- With their agreement, knowing an older family member or a young driver is safe.
Using a tracker lawfully
This is general information only, not legal advice. You can track a vehicle or item you own. Tracking a vehicle you do not own, or tracking a person, without their consent is an offence in most states and territories and can amount to stalking. If you share a vehicle, or track a family member, get their agreement first. Our lawful use guide has more detail.
Common questions
Does a GPS tracker work without a SIM card?
It can still work out where it is, but it cannot send that location to your phone. For live tracking you need a SIM and a data plan.
What happens after the included 3 months of data?
Ask us for a 12 month data plan, or use a prepaid SIM and our team will help you set it up. There are no app fees and no lock-in contract.
Can I hide a tracker on my own car?
Yes. Magnetic trackers can be placed on a flat metal surface out of sight, such as under the car or inside the boot. Check it now and then and recharge it as needed.
Worried someone has put a tracker on your car?
Read our guide on how to find a GPS tracker on your car, or book a professional vehicle sweep.