What is the best live tracking app?

[lewi3069]

I am trying to find a good tracking app for my phones and tablet that works. This is mainly for if it is stolen or misplaced.

Requirements:
-Must use data connection, NOT SMS!
-Uninstall must be able to be blocked. (System app or Device Admin setting)
-Live tracking, I want to see the phone moving once activated (not like prey where it runs a report then shows you).
-Siren function is nice but not needed.
-Free/cheap (I don't mind one time fees, but monthly fees $10 or under for at least 3 devices)
-Able to turn on GPS if disabled
-Accessible from any PC with internet.
-Manage from one account

I used to use mobile defense, but it doesn't work with Google Voice. I did how ever like the map that it used.
I currently have prey installed but it has quit working on my devices and I cant stand that it is not live updating maps.

I have tried a quite a few programs, but maybe they have updated to add the functionality that I need.

Device List:
Evo4g CM7 Rooted
Xoom Rooted
LG Optimums S Rooted

Thanks for the help!

 

[ironass]

Lookout on the Market seems to meet most of your requirements. See here:-

Lookout Mobile Security for Android | AppBrain.com

Hope this helps.

 

[lewi3069]

Found one

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus

What is the best live tracking app? : Android

 

[wyelkins]

SeekDroid is awesome! $0.99 from the Market. Amazon had it for free a day or two ago. I would recommend buying it from the Market. If you download a free app from Amazon, you have to keep their Market App on your phone also.

It is worth the .99 cents! Check out their website.

 

[lewi3069]

SeekDroid is awesome! $0.99 from the Market. Amazon had it for free a day or two ago. I would recommend buying it from the Market. If you download a free app from Amazon, you have to keep their Market App on your phone also.

It is worth the .99 cents! Check out their website.

When I tired it, it wouldn't let me use more than one device under one user name.

 

[davidchsw]

So .99 is too much per device?

 

[tcat007]

I got it free, but when I tried it it, it couldn't find me within half mile, could tell me my phone info (ie couldn't connect to my phone). I have no cell service, but was connected WiFi. I uninstalled and don't plan on losing my phone.

SeekDroid is awesome! $0.99 from the Market. Amazon had it for free a day or two ago. I would recommend buying it from the Market. If you download a free app from Amazon, you have to keep their Market App on your phone also.

It is worth the .99 cents! Check out their website.

 

[lexluthor]

So .99 is too much per device?

If you get it on amazon, you can use it on multiple devices

 

[wyelkins]

If you get it on amazon, you can use it on multiple devices

I wish I had gotten it from Market instead of Amazon. It was the free app of the day and they require that their Market App stay installed for it to work. It may be the same way with the multi-phone option.

 

[MikeyCooperH]

lookout is very good. Also try instamapper.com and their app in the market. I have it and it seems to work. It needs a free account setting up and the target device can be viewed from any web browser. By its nature it will not allow covert tracking though, the target device will be notified that it is being tracked.

 

[lewi3069]

So .99 is too much per device?

No, but i wanted everything managed under one account for ease of use. Why login 3 times when you can do it once. I have tired it, it is a good program just didn't meet all my needs at the time I tired it.

lookout is very good. Also try instamapper.com and their app in the market. I have it and it seems to work. It needs a free account setting up and the target device can be viewed from any web browser. By its nature it will not allow covert tracking though, the target device will be notified that it is being tracked.

I will look at it, but I that cerberus is the app that I will stick with.

 

[funpig]

Try AVG. It's free and I think you can add more than one device to an account. But having said that, recently I can't get the locator to work with my phone.

 

[alostpacket]

Is it just me or is the term live tracking a little odd sounding? Like if I wanted to know if I'm alive I thinkk I could pinch myself...though maybe there's an app for that too

 

[tcat007]

I tried Seekdroid again after learning "Background data" needed to be on. With GPS enabled, it found my phone withing a few yards. My problem is I seldom have Background data turned on (to save battery). Can any of these apps find a phone without this turned on? I also tried Lookout, same problem (and it wasn't as accurate, and had features I didn't want/need). Just better hope you lose your phone, with background data, GPS, and wifi, all turned on (and a fresh battery)... or you'll never find it!

 

[tcat007]

Well, got reply from Cerberus, looks like "Background Data" needs to be on for all these apps:

"For the remote control from the website to work, "Background data" must be enabled. This is because commands from the website are sent using C2DM, meaning they are sent to the communication channel used for Gmail/Gtalk notification; this channel is closed when you disable background data. But, unlike Seek Droid, you can also control Cerberus via text messages, so you should be able to find your phone even if it does not have a internet connection."

 

[lewi3069]

Well, got reply from Cerberus, looks like "Background Data" needs to be on for all these apps:

"For the remote control from the website to work, "Background data" must be enabled. This is because commands from the website are sent using C2DM, meaning they are sent to the communication channel used for Gmail/Gtalk notification; this channel is closed when you disable background data. But, unlike Seek Droid, you can also control Cerberus via text messages, so you should be able to find your phone even if it does not have a internet connection."

Personally I wanted an app that used the background data by the C2DM channel. I always have mine turned on anyways. Plus the fact that I use google voice for text most text apps won't activate for me. But I really do like the fact that Cerberus works by the three ways of communication. The the one time fee for 5 phones plus the features such as being able to capture a picture from the phone is the icing on the cake for me. I was paying $6 a mo to use prey on 3 devices. The only other app I have used that I liked and actually worked was mobile defense but after I went to Froyo it stopped working and development has been very slow for them to come out with version 2 that is supposed to use C2DM. Their app also didn't work at times. The whole reason I started looking for a new app was because prey, lookout, and all the other apps quit working on my phone or didn't work when ever I tried them.

 

[ajeje]

Cerberus dev here, I just registered to androidforums

I'd like to make a suggestion for those who like to keep data off to preserve battery. If you install Juice Defender and use that to manage the data connection, Cerberus will be able to keep data enabled when it receives a command from the website or a "enabledata" text command.

Also, Wifi will be automatically enabled when you send a command to locate your device so you don't need to keep it on. GPS will be enabled too, but only on Android versions lower than 2.3.3 (Google in 2.3.3 fixed the "bug" apps were using to turn on GPS without user intervention). On 2.3.3+ the only way to get GPS auto-enable is by installing Cerberus in /system/app (more info on that in the Help page of the website).

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

 

[angelteam]

I am trying to figure out how this app works. I want to find the phone and try to track but the blue dot stays in one place while I drive around with the phone. My phone gets used by the entire family and I think someone has changed some settings. Can you tell us what settings need to be on for it to track. All other functions work, but the location stays wrong and then eventually gets accurate again. Anti theft would be ideal if I could track the thief live and get my phone back. anybody else using cerberus?