How to Track a Car Without GPS: What You Need to Know

GPS tracking is now considered the world's standard for tracking a vehicle's location. Whether for personal use or part of a larger fleet management system, GPS accurately tracks cars over long distances. Still, some people will look for alternative solutions. They might have privacy concerns or believe GPS technology is cost-prohibitive. Whatever the reason, they just want to know how to track a car without GPS.

What do you gain or give up by going with these tracking alternatives? Here's a look at how to track a car without GPS to tell you what you need to know.

Why Track a Car Without GPS?

GPS is a modern, reliable, and accurate technology. So, what would motivate someone to track a car using another method? The main reasons can be grouped into a few categories: a limited budget, privacy concerns, and temporary tracking needs.

Reasons People Look for GPS Alternatives

Limited budget: Perhaps the main reason is budgetary constraints. Some may see dedicated GPS devices and the associated subscription fees for tracking software as too costly. They may simply want a free or low-cost alternative.

In reality, many affordable GPS trackers are available on the market today, and free tracking apps are available for all major smartphones. Even though these apps may not be accurate or reliable, frugality may lead someone to choose the free option.

Privacy concerns: Privacy is another common concern. The omnipresence of technology in our daily lives has made some individuals wary of sharing their location data with third-party GPS providers. Even with trusted providers, GPS trackers rely on a connection to satellites or cellular networks (or both), leaving some privacy-conscious individuals uncomfortable.

Trackers based on Bluetooth technology remove satellites and cellular networks from the equation. However, the extremely limited range of Bluetooth is the price you pay for increased privacy. Phone-based tracking apps, relying on cell tower triangulation or Wi-Fi positioning, can only provide approximate locations, especially in rural areas or urban canyons where signal reception is poor.

Temporary tracking needs: In other cases, someone may only have temporary tracking needs, like monitoring your car's location after loaning it to a friend for the weekend. Investing in GPS can seem unwarranted when you only need a simple solution for a limited time.

Limitations of Non-GPS Tracking Methods

While people may have good reason to seek out alternatives, it's important to keep in mind the limitations of non-GPS tracking methods:

Reduced accuracy: Phone-based tracking apps rely on cell tower triangulation or Wi-Fi positioning. Therefore, they can only provide approximate locations. Their accuracy worsens in rural areas with fewer towers and densely populated cities where signals routinely bounce off tall buildings. This lack of accuracy limits the ability of tracking apps to pinpoint a vehicle's location.

Limited range: Bluetooth devices typically have a maximum range of a few dozen feet, making them practically useless for tracking a moving car. Smartphone apps can also suffer from limited range as cars travel into dead zones with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

Lack of real-time updates: GPS tracking solutions allow you to monitor a car's location in real-time, something the alternatives can't do. In best-case scenarios, location information from smartphone apps or Bluetooth trackers is simply delayed. However, it's more likely that it's outdated.

How to Track a Car Without GPS: Top Alternatives

Now that you know a bit about why someone might choose to track their vehicle with something other than GPS and the limitations they'll face, it's time to take a look at the best options. Here's how to track a car without GPS using the top alternatives:

Using Phone-Based Tracking Apps

Most smartphones come equipped with some sort of tracking feature. For example, all Apple iPhone models come with the app Find My. Formerly known as Find My iPhone, Apple renamed the app to reflect its ability to locate other products signed into an iCloud account. For Android phones, Google provides a similar Find My Device.

These phone-based tracking apps can sometimes locate a vehicle if the driver's phone (or other support device) is in the car and turned on. Both Apple's Find My and Google's Find My Device rely on cellular data, Wi-Fi, and GPS signals from the phone itself.

If the phone is turned off, has a dead battery, or is in an area with poor signal strength, tracking may not work. Therefore, the accuracy of phone-based tracking apps varies wildly. Tracking may be impossible in areas with poor cellular coverage or few Wi-Fi networks. Ultimately, these apps are primarily meant for locating lost or stolen devices and are not in the same league as a dedicated GPS tracking device.

Bluetooth Tracking Devices

Bluetooth trackers like Tile or Apple's AirTag are small devices that connect to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. These trackers are primarily designed to find lost items, like wallets or car keys. Bluetooth's range maxes out at a few dozen feet—and that's under the best of circumstances, with no physical obstructions or interference from other devices that also emit radio signals.

Bluetooth devices have extremely limited use cases when it comes to tracking vehicles. If a car is located within range, you'll be able to record the date and time. But the location data won't be updated once the car leaves that range. The most practical use for Bluetooth tracking devices is to note when a car enters or exits a given area, such as a parking lot or a driveway.

Vehicle Manufacturer Tracking Systems

Some vehicle manufacturers offer their own tracking systems as part of a connected car service, such as GM's OnStar and FordPass. These services provide features like remote start, door locking and unlocking, and vehicle location.

While these connected car services provide some level of tracking, it's not the primary focus, and they don't provide the same level of detail as a GPS tracker. They might also not be as accurate as a dedicated GPS unit.

Why GPS Is Still the Best Option for Car Tracking

Although alternative tracking methods may be attractive for certain situations, GPS is still the gold standard for reliable and effective vehicle tracking. Its superior accuracy, real-time updates, and robust features make it the most dependable option for securing and monitoring vehicles.

Real-Time Accuracy and Reliability

GPS is the gold standard for providing precise real-time location updates. Unlike phone-based tracking, which relies on fluctuating cellular signals or Wi-Fi networks, GPS devices use signals from a network of satellites. Therefore, GPS is highly reliable in nearly any situation.

Extended Range and Coverage

Unlike Bluetooth trackers limited to short distances or phone-based tracking dependent on cellular towers, GPS trackers can operate virtually anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. This extended range makes GPS the only viable option for tracking vehicles across long distances or in remote areas.

Advanced Features for Monitoring and Security

GPS systems, especially when combined with software, offer more than basic location tracking. Geofencing extends the concept of tracking to add virtual boundaries in a given geographic area. Other novel uses for GPS and tracking software include alerts based on the ability to calculate a tracked vehicle's speed.

With these and other software features, parents can monitor their teen drivers, businesses can optimize fleet routes and improve driver behavior, and much more. The sky's the limit when it comes to utilizing GPS for advanced tracking.

How to Choose a GPS Tracker for Reliable Car Tracking

While it's clear that GPS is the superior technology for reliable car tracking, you need the right combination of features to get the most out of it. Here are the things you need to consider before making a purchase:

• Battery life and the frequency of recharging or replacing batteries impact how long you can track a car. Choose a GPS device with sufficient capacity to meet your expected tracking needs.
• Update frequency refers to how often the tracker sends location updates. Real-time tracking requires frequent updates, but less frequent updates (e.g., every hour or day) may be sufficient for your needs. Select a device that can adjust the update frequency accordingly.
• Each GPS device has its own set of installation options. Wired trackers tie into a vehicle's electrical system to draw continuous power but may require professional installation. Plug-on trackers connect to a vehicle's OBD-II port, while some systems use magnetic mounts but solely rely on battery power. Consider your preference and whether it will work with your car's design.
• If you want covert tracking, consider the GPS device's size. Larger trackers may be easier to detect.
• Consider whether you require additional features like geofencing, speed alerts, and historical data tracking, and find a device that has everything you want.

LandAirSea GPS Trackers

LandAirSea offers versatile GPS trackers that meet a wide range of needs.

The LandAirSea 54 is a durable GPS tracker known for its weatherproof design and long battery life. It offers real-time tracking with customizable update frequencies and features a strong magnetic mount for easy attachment to vehicles. With its robust construction and long battery life, the 54 is user-friendly and up to the task of more demanding tracking applications.

Then there's the LandAirSea SYNC, a compact and discreet GPS tracker that plugs directly into a vehicle's OBD-II port. This plug-and-play installation eliminates the need for professional wiring to receive continuous power from the car's electrical system. The SYNC provides real-time tracking and is an excellent option for personal vehicle tracking, teen driver monitoring, and other car applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Track a Car With Just a Phone?

Yes, you can try to track a car with phone-based apps like Apple's Find My or Google's Find My Device. However, this only works if the phone is inside the car, turned on, has battery life, and has a cellular data or Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, these apps are not as reliable as a GPS tracker.

Are Bluetooth Trackers Effective for Car Tracking?

Bluetooth trackers are effective for short-range tracking and ideal for finding misplaced keys or wallets within a few feet. However, their range is limited, so they are ineffective for tracking cars over long distances.

Is It Legal to Track a Car Without GPS?

Regardless of the method, tracking a car raises privacy concerns. Most jurisdictions have privacy laws that require the consent of a vehicle's owner or primary driver before you can track it. Check the rules and regulations regarding tracking in your area to ensure you stay on the right side of the law.

How to Track a Stolen Car Without GPS?

If your car is stolen, immediately report it to the police. To aid recovery efforts, check for nearby security camera footage from businesses or homes. Law enforcement may also utilize traffic cameras or license plate readers. While these actions can help, GPS tracking can significantly increase the chances of recovering a stolen car.

Choosing GPS for the Most Reliable Car Tracking

Now you know how to track a car without GPS, but you've also learned something else: If you want real-time updates, superior tracking accuracy, and additional features like geofencing, speed alerts, or route history, GPS is the only option.

Phone-based apps, Bluetooth devices, and vehicle manufacturer systems all have their limitations. On the other hand, LandAirSea's GPS trackers, like the LandAirSea 54 and LandAirSea SYNC, are versatile solutions that offer the most reliable car tracking available today.

To learn more, check out the complete line of LandAirSea products. If you want more information on GPS trackers for vehicles, contact LandAirSea, and a member of our friendly team will answer any questions you may have.