FlagOff LiveTrack
Rider Manual & Setup Guide
For the official Traccar Client app on Android and iPhone.
Setup
Step 1 — Install the official Traccar Client app from Google Play or the App Store.
Step 2 — Open your private setup page (link provided by the organiser).
Step 3 — Copy the Server URL and Device Identifier into the app exactly.
Step 4 — Set: Location Accuracy High, Distance 0 m, Interval 60 sec, Angle 0, Heartbeat 0.
Step 5 — Offline Buffering ON, Wake Lock ON during the event (Android), Stop Detection OFF during the ride, Use System Location ON.
Step 6 — Allow precise/background location and unrestricted battery use where available.
Step 7 — Press Start and test outdoors with the screen locked before event day.
Recommended settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Location accuracy | High |
| Distance | 0 metres |
| Interval | 60 seconds |
| Angle | 0° |
| Heartbeat | 0 |
| Offline buffering | ON |
| Wake lock (Android) | ON during event |
| Stop Detection | OFF during active ride |
| Use System Location | ON |
| Background battery | Unrestricted |
Do not select Highest. In the current Traccar Client, Highest requests continuous location updates, using more battery and server load.
IMPORTANT — a positive Distance setting disables the time Interval. Example: Distance 75 m means no updates at all when the rider stops or moves slowly. Use Distance 0 + Interval 60, or if using distance mode, enable Stationary Heartbeat 60 sec.
If the organiser instructs CONTINUOUS TRACKING, select HIGHEST accuracy in the app. This sends location every few seconds — bring a power bank and charge fully.
Without internet, live updates cannot reach the server. With buffering enabled, records are saved and sent when internet returns.
How the live map updates
- No need to refresh the page — the live map re-fetches rider positions every 30 seconds automatically.
- Markers jump to the newest stored position on each refresh (no sliding animation).
- How often a marker moves is controlled by the phone's Traccar Client settings (Distance / Interval / Heartbeat), not by the website. The map only shows what has already arrived at the server.
- If a marker freezes and its status degrades (LIVE → DELAYED → SIGNAL LOST → OFFLINE), the phone has stopped sending data — the website is not broken.
Pre-start checklist
- Phone fully charged; carry a power bank.
- GPS and mobile data ON.
- Traccar Client shows tracking active.
- Lock the screen and test for 5–10 minutes.
- Organiser confirms your rider number remains visible on the live map.
5–10 Minute Tracking Test (screen locked)
- Configure Traccar.
- Start tracking.
- Lock the phone.
- Put the phone in a pocket or bag.
- Wait 5–10 minutes.
- Check LiveTrack.
- Confirm multiple GPS updates were received.
If updates stop when the screen locks:
Android: review battery optimisation, background permission and wake lock.
iPhone: review location/background permissions.
Android vs iPhone
Android: set battery to Unrestricted, allow location Always, and enable Wake Lock during the event. Some brands (Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Samsung) need manual whitelisting.
iPhone: allow location Always, enable Background App Refresh, and avoid Low Power Mode during the event. If the app is force-closed (swiped away), iOS stops tracking completely.
Troubleshooting
- Confirm the Device Identifier is exact.
- Confirm the Server URL is correct (starts with https://).
- Confirm tracking is STARTED.
- Allow Precise Location / Always / Background.
- Exclude Traccar from battery optimisation.
- Move outdoors for a GPS fix.
- No coverage in remote areas is normal. Wait until coverage returns; buffered points will retry uploading.
Running the app in the background
- Traccar Client can send location while running in the background or with the screen locked.
- Android: set battery to Unrestricted and allow location All the time. Some brands (Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Samsung) need manual whitelisting.
- iPhone: allow location Always and enable Background App Refresh.
- Important (iPhone): if the app is force-closed (swiped away), iOS stops tracking completely.
- If the operating system kills the app, status changes: LIVE → DELAYED → SIGNAL LOST → OFFLINE.
- Test with the screen locked for 5–10 minutes before event day.