A guide to GPS tracking on cell phones

GPS tracking is an optional feature on phones. Most phone companies charge a fee for using GPS tracking so that you can find other users on your mobile phone line. You can use free applications to allow other people to track you through your phone.

Understanding GPS Tracking

Locating yourself
If you have used Google Maps on your smart phone, you have an idea of how GPS tracking works. With Google maps GPS, there is a little blue pin-dot that travels the roads as you drive. This is a free service from Google. If you just want to know where you are and get driving directions to your destination, using an iPhone or a Blackberry with GPS from Google Maps will fit your needs.
Locating people whom you are looking for
If you want to see where someone else with a smart phone is going, you will need to track their phones. If you have a shared smartphone plan, most services allow you to add the gps tracker service to your plan. If you have iPhones or iPads, you can use the Find My iPhone or Find My iPad feature through Mobile Me to locate a device, but it will set off an alarm on the device. That service is intended for lost phones and tablets.

Mobile GPS tracking services

Features offered
If your mobile phone offers GPS tracking, you will have options for viewing and storing data about the phone you are tracking. This service will allow you to watch a dot move along a map when you are logged in to real time tracking. The other people need to have the tracked cell phones on, but they will not be aware of when you are tracking them. Downloadable applications
You can also download applications, such as Track Me GPS Tracker and InstaMapper for iPhone, that will allow your phone to be tracked. These are free applications, and if you are using them, then you can share the data keys so that anyone you want can track your phone. People do not need to be on your phone line to track you, and you control who can track your GPS and how often they get updates. Using GPS will decrease the amount of time during which you can use your phone between battery charges when the phone is on. It does not decrease the battery's life, but GPS uses battery power. If you want to be tracked, keep a charger handy until you get used to how much battery your phone uses when the GPS tracking is being monitored.