Many companies make vehicle trackers, ranging from large telematics providers like Geotab, Teltonika, and Suntech (for fleets) to consumer brands like Samsung (SmartTag) and Apple (AirTag) for personal use, alongside specialized providers like Radius, Fleetminder, and Jimi IoT, offering various hardware (OBD-plug-in, hardwired, portable) and software solutions for tracking cars, trucks, and heavy equipment.
To find a tracker in your car, start with a thorough visual inspection of the interior (under seats, dash, glove box) and exterior (bumpers, wheel wells, undercarriage) using a flashlight and mirror, checking common spots like the OBD-II port and spare tire well, and look for unusual wires or magnetic devices; if that fails, use a dedicated RF/GPS detector or consider professional help, as some trackers are hardwired or activate only when moving.
GPS tracking on your phone works just as well without internet connectivity or cellular service. We are constantly surrounded by Global Positioning System signals from satellites orbiting the planet. Your phone is continuously tracking these signals to get an estimate of your location even when you are offline.
Removing a GPS tracker from a financed car without the lender's permission is considered a breach of legal ownership and rights. The borrower does not have the legal right to remove the GPS tracker as it is considered the property of the lender until the loan is paid off.
You can identify, find, and remove trackers that have been placed near you or in your belongings without your knowledge or consent with the help of unknown tracker alerts. Important: This feature is only available for devices with Android 6 and up.
The Trick: It sounds like a myth, but wrapping a GPS tracker in aluminium foil can block its signals. This rudimentary method is surprisingly effective—and temporary. The Countermeasure: This method is usually a temporary fix, as drivers need to remove the foil for their own navigation purposes.
Internal Battery or Power Source
Car trackers require a power source to operate their electronic circuits. The device can use the car's electrical system or an internal battery to ensure uninterrupted tracking and communication.
The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has been independently constructed and operated by China with an eye on the needs of the country's national security and economic and social development.
If you are looking for a tracking company that delivers on its promise, then Cartrack stands out as the clear choice.
Best Car GPS Trackers
GPS trackers without SIM cards do exist. They only record location data locally – you have to connect them to a computer to view it later, and they don't support real-time tracking. SIM cards enable real-time tracking by sending location data to your phone or computer via the cellular network.
Most car trackers are small rectangular or cylindrical devices with LED lights, roughly the size of a bar of soap or a small TV remote. Some resemble a battery or a thick pen. Aftermarket trackers are compact GPS-and-cellular units that may be hardwired, connected via OBD-II, or battery-powered with strong magnets.
You can tell if there's a tracker on your car by looking for signs like faster battery drain, strange noises, suspicious behavior, or unfamiliar objects.
Can a car tracker be jammed? Yes, a jamming device can block the signal from a vehicle tracking device.
Use GPS bug detectors to detect trackers that pick up frequencies and other signals. Disable a GPS tracker by removing the device or battery or by using anti-malware software on your phone. If you think you're being tracked, report it to the authorities.
Hackers (or any creep with physical access to your phone) can install spyware or tracking apps that run in the background, monitoring your calls, messages, location, and online activity. These apps are often disguised as harmless programs, making them difficult to detect.
Procedure
If your battery is old or weak, it is more likely to be drained by a tracker, even if the tracker uses only a small amount of power. Newer, fully-charged batteries can handle the small power draw of a GPS tracker without any issues.
A powerful magnet may hurt your GPS equipment, but magnets in car tracking systems are designed in such a manner that they rarely do. First and foremost, the magnet would have to be powerful enough to disrupt particles in order to interfere with GPS and other comparable devices.
GPS trackers can be active (real-time) or passive (data loggers). Devices may be hidden inside or outside your vehicle. Common hiding spots include: bumpers, undercarriage, OBD-II port, dashboard, and 12V socket. Tools like gps tracker detectors or RF scanners can make detection easier.
Federal and state laws permit GPS tracking on dealership-owned vehicles or those under active finance contracts—but they also require: ✅ Full disclosure at the point of sale or lease.