Which apps for family to track me

[munichmaria51]

Hello, I am 16 days out from "boots on the ground" on the Frances route. As I am a solo female pilgrim My family wants to be able to find me any time day or night as I make my way across Spain. Any suggestions for an app or GPS tracker that they can use from the US to locate me?

 

[MissChic]

Hello, I am 16 days out from "boots on the ground" on the Frances route. As I am a solo female pilgrim My family wants to be able to find me any time day or night as I make my way across Spain. Any suggestions for an app or GPS tracker that they can use from the US to locate me?

I have used Polarsteps for other trips and this is the one that'll I use on my Camino next week

 

[markie6]

google maps was good for my aging parents to follow my progress

 

[Martin 888]

Definitely ‘Polarsteps’……I’m using it every day right now for the first time to track/follow a friend of mine who is walking the CF at the moment. It’s terrific and very easy to use. Buen Camino !

 

[temiatwork]

Same here, google maps is one of the best location sharing for families. Just be sure you have unlimited data connection.

 

[Xali1970]

Polarsteps is great for sharing your adventures.
If it's precise geographical location, googlemaps location sharing will do just fine. Garmin (if you use one of their devices) and Strava also have that functionality. It's called safety beacon.
You'll be relying on the cellular network, which can be patchy in areas.

 

[temiatwork]

Same here, google maps is one of the best location sharing for families. Just be sure you have unlimited data connection.

Just to add, when I did the Frances for 30 days last year my 3 girls at home were assured with google services (gmail, drive, maps and photos). None of us in the family have SocMed.

 

[CSi]

Hi,

If you wish to use your portable phone as is with no external apps, here's two links:
IPhone:

Share your location with iPhone - Apple Support (CA)

Share your location with friends, family members, and other trusted contacts in Find My, Messages, and Maps. You can share your current location once, temporarily share your location while you're on the way to an expected destination, or share your ongoing Live Location.

support.apple.com

Android:

Share your real-time location with others - Android - Google Maps Help

You can choose who can find your location and how long to share your location with Google Location Sharing. Tip: Other Google products may also allow you to share a one-time location with others.&nbs

support.google.com

Like mentioned before, these options need either wifi or cell network to send your location.
Happy travels

 

[trecile]

I, and several other forum members use Find Penguins to create blogs. It's very similar to Polar Steps.

Plan, track, and blog your trips

Automatically and effortlessly track your travels, simply with your phone in the pocket. Create a beautiful travel journal and enjoy the benefits of our leading travel app.

findpenguins.com

I use Google Maps location sharing so that my family know where I am in case of emergency.

Share your real-time location with others - Android - Google Maps Help

You can choose who can find your location and how long to share your location with Google Location Sharing. Tip: Other Google products may also allow you to share a one-time location with others.&nbs

support.google.com

 

[Camo]

google maps was good for my aging parents to follow my progress

Thanks for pointing that out - so that means if you share your Sat Nav directions with the family (as well as your location permission) they can "walk" the trail along with you and no internet connection required?

Anybody tried that?

 

[Xali1970]

Thanks for pointing that out - so that means if you share your Sat Nav directions with the family (as well as your location permission) they can "walk" the trail along with you and no internet connection required?

Anybody tried that?

I'm doing that regularly when out cycling or walking.
Googlemaps location sharing doesn't share the Sat Nav directions, it shares your location. You will need an internet connection for it to work while you walk though, hence the importance of a local cellular phone data sim if you're not an EU resident.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you want to report your location, but not constantly, you can download an app that gives you latitude and longitude coordinates and the ability to share them through email, whatapp, etc. Done once in a while when you want it will only use a fraction of your cellular data. Usually you can add extra text and attachments ("Ma, look at this church I was just in.") Look for one that also links the coordinates to bring up a map on a website such as Google Maps or Bink. Search for apps with the terms gps map coordinates.

 

[Camo]

I'm doing that regularly when out cycling or walking.
Googlemaps location sharing doesn't share the Sat Nav directions, it shares your location. You will need an internet connection for it to work while you walk though, hence the importance of a local cellular phone data sim if you're not an EU resident.

Thanks for your reply. I am OK with the Sat Nav directions but yes I agree that the walker needs an internet connection for the family to see where she/he is.

My experience is not in Spain but on Greek Islands and using a sim card purchased OUTSIDE of Greece gave access to all the Carriers, but even so I tended to lose connection once in "the open country" - so what is situation in Spain?

 

[Xali1970]

Thanks for your reply. I am OK with the Sat Nav directions but yes I agree that the walker needs an internet connection for the family to see where she/he is.

My experience is not in Spain but on Greek Islands and using a sim card purchased OUTSIDE of Greece gave access to all the Carriers, but even so I tended to lose connection once in "the open country" - so what is situation in Spain?

I used an Irish SIM along the Camino Frances , the VdlP and the Mozarabe. Coverage was adequate

 

[Camo]

Hello, I am 16 days out from "boots on the ground" on the Frances route. As I am a solo female pilgrim My family wants to be able to find me any time day or night as I make my way across Spain. Any suggestions for an app or GPS tracker that they can use from the US to locate me?

Seems to me that you need to explain first of all what YOU are using to GUIDE you all the way across Spain because surely if it is worth its salt it will HAVE the tracking feature as an "add-on".

In other words it is all very well for your family to say "look here is mum in the middle of Spain in a place with a funny name" when in fact you are LOST.

Seems to me the family should have the same "app" as you so they can say "mum is on the trail to Portomarin today and YES here she is just leaving Sarria, ON the trail" (and not lost!)

 

[dick bird]

Seems to me that you need to explain first of all what YOU are using to GUIDE you all the way across Spain because surely if it is worth its salt it will HAVE the tracking feature as an "add-on".

In other words it is all very well for your family to say "look here is mum in the middle of Spain in a place with a funny name" when in fact you are LOST.

Seems to me the family should have the same "app" as you so they can say "mum is on the trail to Portomarin today and YES here she is just leaving Sarria, ON the trail" (and not lost!)

Getting lost on the Francés is extremely unlikely, practically impossible even without a GPS.

 

[trecile]

Seems to me that you need to explain first of all what YOU are using to GUIDE you all the way across Spain because surely if it is worth its salt it will HAVE the tracking feature as an "add-on".

There are no Camino apps that I know that will do what you are staying. Best to use the tracks native to Apple and Android phones, like Find my Phone and Google Maps if her family wants to know where she is in real time.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Seems to me that you need to explain first of all what YOU are using to GUIDE you all the way across Spain because surely if it is worth its salt it will HAVE the tracking feature as an "add-on".

In other words it is all very well for your family to say "look here is mum in the middle of Spain in a place with a funny name" when in fact you are LOST.

Seems to me the family should have the same "app" as you so they can say "mum is on the trail to Portomarin today and YES here she is just leaving Sarria, ON the trail" (and not lost!)

I don't think I would would want my family at home worrying that I might be lost because I stray from the designated path. That sort of tracking sounds incredibly stressful for all concerned.

 

[Xali1970]

I don't think I would would want my family at home worrying that I might be lost because I stray from the designated path. That sort of tracking sounds incredibly stressful for all concerned.

If you want to avoid getting lost, buy the Alpine Quest app.
It's not a navigation app per se as it does not guide you, but it pinpoints your location within a couple of meters onto a map.
It has different map layers you can superimpose onto a base Googlemaps layer. Two most useful layers are an Ordnance Survey type map for terrain and another one with every hiking and cycle trail in Spain. I couldn't get lost if I tried, and when I did miss a turn I would find my way fairly quickly when consulting it.
Once you learn to read the map gradients you can judge whether a shortcut is doable or just very steep.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

If you want to avoid getting lost, buy the Alpine Quest app.
It's not a navigation app per se as it does not guide you, but it pinpoints your location within a couple of meters onto a map.
It has different map layers you can superimpose onto a base Googlemaps layer. Two most useful layers are an Ordnance Survey type map for terrain and another one with every hiking and cycle trail in Spain. I couldn't get lost if I tried, and when I did miss a turn I would find my way fairly quickly when consulting it.
Once you learn to read the map gradients you can judge whether a shortcut is doable or just very steep.

To be honest, I don't mind getting lost. I think it's all part of the journey. Usually I carry a paper map that allows me to find my way back to where I should be eventually.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Any suggestions for an app or GPS tracker that they can use from the US to locate me?

Airtags are one way for people to follow you if you and they have iPhones. They can setup one and give it to you. Your phone and other iPhones would be reporting its location. Buy three, one for you to carry and family to track and put two in your pack for you to track in case of theft or mishandling by couriers. One to be found by the thief and discarded and one well hidden (say sewn behind a patch) to continue doing its job.

The forum has two threads devoted to Airtag usage.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/apple-air-tag.76971/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/recommend-airtags-for-pack-luggage-transfers.77309/

 

[trecile]

Or, if you are an Android user you can get Tile tracker tags at tile.com

 

[Camo]

There are no Camino apps that I know that will do what you are staying. Best to use the tracks native to Apple and Android phones, like Find my Phone and Google Maps if her family wants to know where she is in real time.

That is what I was referring to ie Google Maps.

The walker and the family at home both use the same Sat Nav route (directions). The walker uses it (as needed) to guide them along the path and the family in USA watches her/him move along the trail

 

[Camo]

To be honest, I don't mind getting lost. I think it's all part of the journey. Usually I carry a paper map that allows me to find my way back to where I should be eventually.

Yeah getting lost can be fun but this thread is not about getting lost (personally) but the OP is concerned with her FAMILY losing contact - so I gave a dead set easy solution.

No stress involved as the family can check once a day/week or 24/7 - up to them!

 

[Gregbart]

I call my wife every night using WhatsApp. I also send a position report through WhatsApp to a group text. WhatsApp is used a lot on the Camino. It costs nothing and you'll probably want the app anyway. Today is day 30 on the Camino and it has worked since day 2.
Greg.

 

[WGroleau]

Hello, I am 16 days out from "boots on the ground" on the Frances route. As I am a solo female pilgrim My family wants to be able to find me any time day or night as I make my way across Spain. Any suggestions for an app or GPS tracker that they can use from the US to locate me?

I had a deLorme/Garmin “Explorer.” Using Iridium satellites it allowed me to send text messages or e-mails from anywhere (middle of nowhere or middle of ocean, even). An SOS button would summon help if in trouble. And using a website, people I gave a password to could find out my location any time the device wasn’t inside one of those thick stone wall albergues.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

Similar to PolarSteps, I used Find Penguins and liked it a lot. When I got home, I ordered the book they offer and am delighted with it.
I've also used an Apple Watch with Fall Detection. It will summon help if I fall and don't respond to the taps on the watch and it will notify my son as to where I am.
And I used What's App to make calls back home that sounded just as they always do. Both parties much have the free app.