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There's https://owntracks.org/ https://owntracks.org/, which has iOS and Android apps and instructions on setting up your own server. If you run NextCloud self-

There's https://owntracks.org/ https://owntracks.org/, which has iOS and Android apps and instructions on setting up your own server. If you run NextCloud self-hosted already, there's PhoneTrack (https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/phonetrack https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/phonetrack), which has a list of supported/suggested apps that send data back to it in a compatible format.

simcop2387 5y ago
This also has integrations for home assistant to use owntracks for logging and automations for smart home stuff too.
kelnos 5y ago
I've been using OwnTracks (plus ot-recorder) for a few years now, in parallel with Google's location tracking/timeline, and I find that OwnTracks tends not to update all that well or frequently. If I switch OwnTracks to "move mode", it's great, but then it drains battery like crazy. "Significant changes mode" doesn't really cut it to map out my track as I move around during the day. And it's especially annoying because I do have it set up to trigger some lights to turn on in my house when I get within 500 feet of home. Sometimes it'll finally trigger an hour or two after I get home, which isn't particularly useful. I've exempted the app from Android's "battery optimization" thing, and I'm using a Pixel 4, which shouldn't have any shenanigans like killing background apps frequently like some other manufacturers do.
- whoisburbansky 5y ago
  Ah, that's good to know. I've been meaning to set up OwnTracks with iOS, so I'll report back with how that goes, see if the accuracy/battery tradeoff is any different from what you're seeing on Android.
  - 29083011397778 5y ago
    > I'll report back with how that goes Out of self-interest, where would one check to (eventually) find this write-up? Sounds like OP hadn't known just how long OT takes to update on Android, which makes me assume other information out there may be out of date, or someone else's best case scenario (as opposed to real-world usage).
barbazoo 5y ago
I use Google location sharing with my partner so we know where the other person is. Is owntracks a replacement for that by any chance?
- MrOwen 5y ago
  If you connect OwnTracks to an mqtt broker, there is a feature to track friends. But I haven't played with that part so ymmv.
- noptd 5y ago
  I'd hope not. We should normalize less surveillance, not more.
  - barbazoo 5y ago
    How is it surveillance when two consenting adults share their location with each other using a self hosted service?
    - MrOwen 5y ago
      Yeah, knowing my SO's location is super important for multiple reasons imo... Primarily safety and knowing how long it will take to get back from someplace (or how long I can keep messing around with stuff at home). I'm sure there's other valid reasons but kinda just provides me peace of mind.
    - goodpoint 5y ago
      Consent is not a simple binary thing. Creating expectations around accepting surveillance is not healthy.
- galbar 5y ago
  Yes. I use it with my whole family. You can create a tracking session and have everyone join in. From the app and the website you can see everyone on the map. The only trouble Iǘe had is that the Android app sometimes crashes and I have to manually launch it again. There are other compatible apps that I haven tried, though.

simcop2387 5y ago

This also has integrations for home assistant to use owntracks for logging and automations for smart home stuff too.

kelnos 5y ago

I've been using OwnTracks (plus ot-recorder) for a few years now, in parallel with Google's location tracking/timeline, and I find that OwnTracks tends not to update all that well or frequently. If I switch OwnTracks to "move mode", it's great, but then it drains battery like crazy. "Significant changes mode" doesn't really cut it to map out my track as I move around during the day. And it's especially annoying because I do have it set up to trigger some lights to turn on in my house when I get within 500 feet of home. Sometimes it'll finally trigger an hour or two after I get home, which isn't particularly useful. I've exempted the app from Android's "battery optimization" thing, and I'm using a Pixel 4, which shouldn't have any shenanigans like killing background apps frequently like some other manufacturers do.

whoisburbansky 5y ago
Ah, that's good to know. I've been meaning to set up OwnTracks with iOS, so I'll report back with how that goes, see if the accuracy/battery tradeoff is any different from what you're seeing on Android.
- 29083011397778 5y ago
  > I'll report back with how that goes Out of self-interest, where would one check to (eventually) find this write-up? Sounds like OP hadn't known just how long OT takes to update on Android, which makes me assume other information out there may be out of date, or someone else's best case scenario (as opposed to real-world usage).

barbazoo 5y ago

I use Google location sharing with my partner so we know where the other person is. Is owntracks a replacement for that by any chance?

MrOwen 5y ago
If you connect OwnTracks to an mqtt broker, there is a feature to track friends. But I haven't played with that part so ymmv.
noptd 5y ago
I'd hope not. We should normalize less surveillance, not more.
- barbazoo 5y ago
  How is it surveillance when two consenting adults share their location with each other using a self hosted service?
  - MrOwen 5y ago
    Yeah, knowing my SO's location is super important for multiple reasons imo... Primarily safety and knowing how long it will take to get back from someplace (or how long I can keep messing around with stuff at home). I'm sure there's other valid reasons but kinda just provides me peace of mind.
  - goodpoint 5y ago
    Consent is not a simple binary thing. Creating expectations around accepting surveillance is not healthy.
galbar 5y ago
Yes. I use it with my whole family. You can create a tracking session and have everyone join in. From the app and the website you can see everyone on the map. The only trouble Iǘe had is that the Android app sometimes crashes and I have to manually launch it again. There are other compatible apps that I haven tried, though.