GPS tracker (no SIM on old phone)

[Regulator75]

Looking for a GPS tracker / app that can be used on both iOS and Android platforms, the phone that will be tracked is an iPhone 5S. It will not have a SIM card or cellular data, it's for a special needs child who likes to wander off (from time to time) and is non-verbal.

Any ideas?

[Wormius]

Will the child always be within wifi range? That might be the first hurdle.

The iPhone you should be able to track through the FindMyFriends app on IOS on iPhones or iPads.

I am not sure if there is a web portal for that or not so it can be looked at on an Android phone though. You should be able to use FindMyPhone from anywhere, but I don't know if there are adverse affects to activating it?

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Will the child always be within wifi range? That might be the first hurdle.

Not likely. I believe it's better and safer having the phone with a SIM and a shared data plan (which is what will probably end up happening). I was curious if that cost could be bypassed, as both parents have recently been laidoff.

[Wormius]

Maybe they could set up some geo-fencing so at least when the child leaves the area served by wi-fi, it would send them a notification.

But yeah, it will be tricky without having a data plan of some kind. They could at least pare down the data plan so only this feature is using data.

There is also SPOT from Globalstar that is a $20/month subscription.

https://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=130

[EldrickOnIce]

Is there something like this readily available and perhaps slightly more affordable? It's $129US for the unit and $6.99/month monitoring.

https://www.jiobit.com/?utm_source=g...saAqT2EALw_wcB

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Not likely. I believe it's better and safer having the phone with a SIM and a shared data plan (which is what will probably end up happening). I was curious if that cost could be bypassed, as both parents have recently been laidoff.

Find my friends app should work for tracking and is built into many phones, but as alluded to, needs a sim.

But I'm also not entirely sure what you're trying to achieve. If it's just tracking, I think there's more cost efficient options for that.

https://traxfamily.com/shop/#

An iPhone 5S is still worth a few hundred bucks. With your financial situation in mind, maybe consider selling the phone? This thing for $300 CAD includes 2 years of tracking, geo-fencing, real time app etc. everything you need except maybe a walkie talkie sort of feature.

There are also other similar devices out there similar to the above ranging from watches and other wearable accessories. Few have built in sim cards with inexpensive data plans like the Trax play.

[ken0042]

With regards to wifi, can you setup the phone to connect to Shaw Open?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by ken0042

With regards to wifi, can you setup the phone to connect to Shaw Open?

I'm guessing the issue is that the child often might not be in range. The child may be in range more often than not in the inner city, but if slightly further towards the suburbs, there might not be a hot spot for quite a distance if the phone is relying on wifi for an app.

This issue is further exacerbated if you travel with the child. Certain dedicated monitoring dongles may continue to monitor without an issue or additional fee while a phone may need to deal with roaming charges and fees.

[Regulator75]

There are many GPS dongle options in the States, nothing in Canada (yet) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[Wormius]

You might also look at something like a Garmin Rino. It might work. It's a walkie-talkie, but it can transmit the GPS coordinates over 5 miles, according to the specs. You can find them used pretty cheap.

You would at least be free of having to pay a subscription or anything ,but more info is needed, like the proximity of the parents to the child.

Are they worried about him wandering away from them or their house, or they want to be able to track him if he wanders away from school while they're at home?