Frequently Asked Questions
What is phone locator?
Phonelocator is a real-time tracking application. It runs on your phone and and uploads the phone's position to the phonelocator.mobi web site.
How do I signup up for an account?
You need to install phonelocator first. Signup takes place in the phone's web browser.
When phonelocator is run for the first time, it should open the web browser for registration. If this does not
happen see the troubleshooting page.
Why would you want to track your phone's location?
Phonelocator was originally developed to track my motorcycle tour around the Alps in 2007. But it could be used to track loved ones, friends or your phone itself if it get stolen.
How much does phonelocator cost?
There is no charge to use the phonelocator application but your network operator may charge you for the data it transmits to the server.
How do I keep data costs down?
- Get a flat rate data plan! e.g.
- Turn on 'intelligent update' if you don't have a flat rate plan. This reduces the number of updates sent to the server. Updates are not sent unless the bearing of the phone changes by more than 5 degrees. The tracks created when 'intelligent update' is switched on will not be as good as when it is switched off.
- Turn on 'battery saver'. Battery saver turns off the GPS when the phone is stationary, this means that less updates will be sent to the server.
- Don't update 'every time i move'. There is a certain overhead involved with each update, it more efficient to send several updates at once.
Does phonelocator affect the battery life of the phone?
Yes, when tracking is enabled. When the GPS is switched on it draws current from the phone's battery running it down quicker than if it were switched off.
The data context that is used to send data to the server also uses charge from the battery.
How can I improve the battery life of the phone when phonelocator is running?
- Turn on 'battery saver'! 'battery saver' turns off the GPS when the phone is stationary or the GPS signal is too low to get a fix. The GPS is turned back on when the phone connects to a different cell tower. This works best in metropolitan areas where the cells are small.
- Update less frequently! A big drain on the battery is the data context that is used to send data to the server. For example, if the application is set to 'update every time I move' it will drain the battery quicker than if it is set to update every 30 minutes.
- Switch your phone to GSM mode. (Settings app -> Phone -> Network -> Network Mode) GSM drains less power than UTMS.
What about privacy?
Good point! Currently your trail is public so that everybody can see it. However as of 28th July 2008 it is possible to remove yourself from the public map by editing your phone on the My Phones page.
Use Device software update to install the latest firmware to your phone. Early N95 firmware versions, for example, did not support A-GPS which improves GPS performance
Can I associate two phone with one account?
Yes, when you install phonelocator on the second phone use the same user name and password that you created when you installed phonelocator on the first phone.
I have a different question about phonelocator, can you help me?
Please email support@phonelocator.mobi with your question.