Can I use a redundant iPhone in the MH as a 'tracker'??? (1 Viewer)

[wingman]

Santa was kind this year and I got a new iPhone!

I now have a redundant iPhone 5c which is surplus to requirements. Can't sell it, because it has a fault with the home button (which the Apple 'Genius' people can't repair). The phone is fully operational though, using the 'accessibility' function instead of the home button.

Soooo, rather than it gathering dust, or to use as a spare phone, was wondering about secreting it somewhere in the van and using the 'Find Friends' App as a tracking device?

At the mo' the phone is sans a SIM card, because I've popped the 3 Mobile sim into the new phone. If I bought a cheapo PAYG sim for the old phone and kept the battery charged, would it work as a kinda tracker?

The Find Friends App works brilliantly for tracking (like seeing where the missus is and how long it will be before she can get home and put my tea on ).

Anyone use phones for trackers? Any other funster dodges or advice?

 

[ericroy]

I used an old Android phone that way and did not even need to insert a SIM card. Just connected via wifi when I got home to upload the recorded track.

Suspect it may not be so easy with an iPhone?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Sounds like a plan. Keeping battery topped up maybe the risky part as I am scared of leaving these lithium batteries on charge unattended in case of fire.

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[34127]

Would you be better off using one of the cheap Chinese trackers (approx. £26 from Amazon) which will send you a text if the vehicle is moved from its parked location.

 

[wingman]

Thanks @Borderland
Gives me another option. I'll have a look at Amazon. Got some Amazon vouchers for Kimble, so wouldn't cost me anything!!

BTW @Riverbankannie Thanks. I didn't plan to have the thing on permanent, hard-wired charge; I would charge the phone periodically and keep an eye on it.

 

[jnn]

I think, but may be wrong, that those trackers neeed a phone connection too.

Yes you can use an iphone for that. my old 4s charges when the ignition is on and provides a wifi hotspot and tracker

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