A GPS tracker shows you where your car is at any given moment, right on your phone. It’s one of the most useful anti-theft devices, because it helps you locate your car if it’s stolen. But it’s useful for other things, too: knowing where you parked, keeping track of a company vehicle, or giving you peace of mind when another family member is driving the car.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the different types of GPS trackers, what they need to work, which features are worth looking for, and how to install them correctly!

Step 1: Choose a type based on installation

The installation method determines how easy the tracker is to install, how well hidden it stays, and how often you’ll need to maintain it.

OBD port (plug & play)

It plugs into the car’s diagnostic port, usually located under the steering wheel, and draws power from it.

Advantages: Installs in seconds, with no wiring or charging required.
Disadvantages: The OBD port is the first place a professional thief will check, so the tracker can be easily found and removed.

Concealed, permanent installation with wiring

It connects directly to the car’s electrical system and is hidden behind the dashboard or interior trim.

Advantages: The best choice for anti-theft use. It stays out of sight, doesn’t need charging, and many models offer additional features, such as an alert when the engine starts or remote engine shutdown.
Disadvantages: Installation requires some technical knowledge or an auto electrician.

Portable, with its own battery

Standalone trackers, often with a magnet, that you can place wherever you like inside or underneath the car.

Advantages: No wiring is required, and they can easily be moved from one vehicle to another.
Disadvantages: They need charging. Battery life can range from a few days to several months, depending on how often they send their location.

If you also have a motorcycle, check out the trackers suitable for motorcycles. They’re smaller and can withstand rain and vibration.

Step 2: Understand what it needs to work (SIM and subscription)

The tracker uses GPS to find its location, but it needs a mobile network connection to send that location to your phone. That's why most trackers have a SIM card. There are four options:

• Requires a SIM card, no subscription: insert your own SIM card with a small data plan, and you won't pay the manufacturer anything else.
• Includes a SIM card, no subscription: the simplest option, as it works straight out of the box.
• Includes a SIM card, subscription required: you pay a monthly or annual fee, usually for a more fully featured app and support.
• Requires a SIM card, no app: it's controlled via SMS. Send a text message to the tracker, and it replies with a link to its location on the map. These trackers are affordable, but less user-friendly.

What to keep in mind: include the cost of the SIM card or subscription in your budget, not just the price of the device. Choose models with 4G, as older mobile networks are being phased out.

Step 3: Features worth having

• Real-time tracking: check how often the location updates, e.g. every 10 seconds or every 5 minutes.
• Geofence (virtual fence): set an area on the map and receive an alert as soon as the car leaves it.
• Alerts: when the engine starts, when the car moves, or when it exceeds a speed limit.
• Route history: useful for company vehicles or to remember where you’ve been.
• Backup battery (for permanently installed trackers): if someone cuts the power, the tracker will continue sending its location for a short while.
• Remote engine shutoff: available on some permanently installed models using a relay. Use it only when the car is stationary or moving very slowly, for safety reasons.

Step 4: How to install your GPS tracker

OBD tracker

1. Find the OBD port. It’s usually below the steering wheel, around knee height. If you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual.
2. Plug in the tracker and start the engine.
3. Follow the instructions in the app to connect.

If you want to keep it out of sight, OBD extension cables let you hide the tracker further inside the dashboard.

Hardwired tracker

If you’re not experienced with car electrical systems, have an auto electrician install it. It’s a quick job. Here are the basics:

• Three wires: usually one for constant power, one for power that comes on with the ignition (ACC), and one for ground. The connection must be made safely, as specified by the manufacturer.
• Location: behind the dashboard, under trim, or somewhere out of sight, with the GPS antenna facing up.
• Keep it away from metal: metal blocks the GPS signal. Plastic, fabric, and glass don’t.
• Power consumption: hardwired trackers use very little power, but if the car is parked for weeks, enable power-saving mode (sleep mode) to prevent the battery from draining.

Portable battery-powered tracker

• Fully charge it before installing it.
• Choose a location with as little metal above it as possible: under a seat, inside a door pocket, or in the trunk under the trim.
• If it has a magnet and you’re placing it outside, under the car, use a waterproof case and choose a spot away from the exhaust.
• Adjust the location update frequency: the less frequent the updates, the longer the battery lasts.

SIM setup

• Use a SIM card with a data plan. Data usage is usually very low.
• Disable the SIM’s PIN before inserting it into the tracker. To do this, insert it into a mobile phone first.
• Configure the initial settings, such as your mobile carrier’s APN. Do this through the app or by SMS, as instructed in the tracker’s manual.

Please note: use with respect for privacy

A GPS tracker is a tool for your own vehicle. Installing one in a vehicle that does not belong to you, or tracking another person without their knowledge, violates their privacy and is illegal. If you use a tracker in company vehicles, drivers must be informed.

Skroutz Tip

• Test the tracker before hiding it. Make sure it sends the location and notifications correctly, then put the trim back in place.
• Check the SIM balance or expiration date regularly. If the SIM is deactivated, the tracker simply stops sending updates.
• Don’t rely solely on an OBD tracker for theft protection. If security is your main priority, a hidden, permanently installed tracker is more reliable.
• If your car is stolen, don’t try to recover it yourself. Give the location to the police.