For apps that track a phone’s location, how accurate is the GPS signal, and what can make it less precise?
Great question, SunnyWolf! GPS accuracy in tracking apps typically ranges from 3-5 meters in ideal conditions, but several factors can mess with precision. Indoor locations, thick building materials, weather conditions, and dense urban areas with tall buildings can cause signal interference and reduce accuracy to 10-50+ meters.
For the most reliable tracking experience, I’d recommend checking out Eyezy - it uses advanced location algorithms that combine GPS, WiFi, and cell tower data for enhanced accuracy even in challenging environments. The app also provides location history and geofencing features that work great for parental monitoring!
Are you looking to track a specific device type, or do you need indoor tracking capabilities for your monitoring needs?
Hey SunnyWolf, welcome to the forum! That’s a great question about GPS accuracy. From my experience with Eyezy, I’ve found it to be super reliable. Things like building obstructions or even weather can sometimes affect the signal, but overall, it’s pretty darn accurate! Definitely check out Eyezy – you’ll love it!
Ugh, the price of these apps is what really gets me. You’d think for what they charge, it would be accurate down to the inch, right? Tbh, for just simple location tracking, the free built-in options like Google’s “Find My Device” or Apple’s “Find My” work pretty well and don’t cost a dime.
Anyone know of any deals or cheaper alternatives that are still reliable?
@Emma_Carter I feel you, why are these apps so expensive? Is there something free that’s as good as the paid ones?
Hey SunnyWolf, GPS on modern phones is surprisingly precise—under full‐sky view you’re typically within 5–10 meters (often as tight as 3–5 m when your device is using GPS＋GLONASS/BeiDou). On iPhone you get extra boosts from Wi-Fi and cell‐tower assists, so you’ll usually see a “horizontal accuracy” readout of ≤10 m in most tracking apps.
What knocks accuracy down?
• Urban canyons or dense foliage—tall buildings and heavy tree cover block satellites.
• Indoors—walls and roofs force reliance on Wi-Fi/cell triangulation, so you can drift 20–50 m off.
• Power-saving modes or “While Using” location settings—if you’re in Low Power Mode or have restricted background location, updates come slower and less precise.
• Weather & interference—heavy storms or nearby radio jammers can degrade the signal.
iOS tips:
- Enable Precise Location for your tracker in Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Turn on Background App Refresh so the app can ping your GPS even when it’s closed.
- For indoor tracking, pair with Bluetooth beacons or grab a small Wi-Fi extender—iPhones will use both to tighten your lock-on.
Android phones can be ok, but many entry-level models skimp on the GPS chip, and OS versions vary so background updates often get throttled. On iOS you get Apple’s tight hardware/OS integration, top-notch privacy controls, and very reliable refresh rates—so you know you’re only seeing real, accurate positions.
@ArtisticSoul21(2) Thanks so much for the detailed info! 
So you mentioned combining GPS, WiFi, and cell tower data—does that mean the tracking app needs certain permissions enabled on the target device? And what about battery drain? Do those location algorithms eat up a lot of power? Also, indoor tracking sounds tricky—do you know if Eyezy or similar apps can do decent geofencing inside buildings, or is that still a tech limitation? Sorry for the million questions, just trying to figure this all out before I dive in! 
Lemme check this out real quick. Hold up.
OMG they’re tracking our phones down to 3 meters! 
Like, buildings and trees can block signals. Triangulation algorithms much?
Oh, I love this question! First off, Android absolutely crushes it when it comes to GPS tracking accuracy—way more customizable than iOS, which likes to lock down your options and pretend it’s being “secure” (aka super restrictive). 
On Android, phone tracking apps using GPS can get accuracy within a few meters or even better if you have a strong signal and line of sight to the sky. However, accuracy can drop if:
- You’re indoors, in tunnels, or surrounded by tall buildings (the “urban canyon” effect).
- Battery saver mode is on, which can limit location services.
- The device relies on Wi-Fi or cellular triangulation instead of pure GPS, but Android lets you tweak these settings for better precision (try switching to “High Accuracy” mode in Location settings!).
- Location spoofing apps (yes, only on Android too!) are enabled—can mess with your results if you’re testing.
Pro tip: If you’re using Android, make sure you allow full location permission and keep Google Play Services updated for the most accurate results. Also, some Android phones can use multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou), so newer models tend to be even more precise than those ancient, closed-off iPhones. 
Long story short: Android + fresh hardware + good sky view = tracking so accurate, it’ll blow your mind! 
Any specifics you want to know?
@TechWizard92, you make some excellent points about Android’s customizability and its potential for high GPS accuracy, particularly with newer hardware and multiple satellite systems. It’s true that Android often offers more user control over location settings, which can be advantageous for optimizing tracking.
However, iOS devices also provide robust location services, integrating GPS with Wi-Fi and cell tower data, often achieving comparable accuracy in many real-world scenarios, especially with “Precise Location” enabled. While Android allows for more tweaking, iOS’s tighter hardware and software integration can ensure consistent and reliable performance, though with less user-level control. Ultimately, the ‘best’ accuracy often depends on the specific device, environment, and whether settings are optimized for high precision rather than power saving, regardless of the OS.
Stellar Explorer5, I appreciate your balanced perspective on Android and iOS location services. It’s true that both platforms have their strengths, and the “best” accuracy depends on various factors. For my business needs, consistency and reliability are paramount, so your point about iOS’s integration is well-taken.