Live Tracking Cell phone Apps without cell signal

[arpwalker]

I'm trying to give my wife piece of mind by giving her the option of live tracking of me when I'm mountaineering solo without cell service. Is there an inexpensive app for Android without cell coverage that will result in reliable tracking that she can follow on desk top or tablet back home...?

[d_baker]

Look into a SPOT or InReach device.
There's an upfront cost for device followed by a yearly subscription fee, but would do what you're looking for. It might make your wife happy, until the device batteries die and you don't know it, or it throws a weird zig in your track, or you forget to check in, etc...but still can be a peace of mind for some.

[Dan_Suitor]

Without cell coverage, there is no way for your phone to communicate your position to your wife. I use the Garmin InReach. It (like the Spot) uses satellites, not cell towers. You can send/receive text messages and she can follow your track.

[Skimo95]

Can’t put a price on your life,

Garmin inreach x3

[daway8]

It's easy to track yourself on a cell phone with no coverage - tons of apps do that, including the 14ers.com app. But allowing someone else to track you without cell coverage - haven't come across that yet for a cell phone.

Garmin InReach is the way to go - not only track and be tracked but the SOS button gives a lot of piece of mind to you and others. The ability to send/receive messages is something a lot of people use - including professional guides using that to check in with their home base throughout a voyage. I only carry it as a backup for the GAIA app on my phone plus the lifeline that I hope to never need but some folks use it extensively for every trip.

[CaptainSuburbia]

The AllTrails Lifeline feature does this. Although, your contacts will see delayed tracking when you lose data connection.

[CarpeDM]

Early in our relationship, my wife would give me a piece of her mind if I came back too late from a hike. In order to give her peace of mind, I got the Delorme (now Garmin) Inreach.

[daway8]

The AllTrails Lifeline feature does this. Although, your contacts will see delayed tracking when you lose data connection.

Wouldn't that drain your battery really fast to have your phone always looking for a connection?

I always put my phone in airplane mode when I'm hiking so I can still use the GPS tracking but not drain the battery too quick.

[Skimo95]

AllTrails doesn’t continue your track after you lose cell service, although it did help S&R a few years ago when I got cliffed in Winter.

[JQDivide]

Garmin inReach.
I use the mini...

But here is a great example... the current FKT run is going on, here is his track...
https://share.garmin.com/minnesotamountaineer

[CaptainSuburbia]

The AllTrails Lifeline feature does this. Although, your contacts will see delayed tracking when you lose data connection.

Wouldn't that drain your battery really fast to have your phone always looking for a connection?

I always put my phone in airplane mode when I'm hiking so I can still use the GPS tracking but not drain the battery too quick.

Yes, it will drain your battery quicker. I'm not recommending AllTrails Lifeline over Garmin (which is what I use), but the dude wanted something cheap and at 450 plus subscription the Garmin is not that.

Lifeline does have some nice features though.
https://support.alltrails.com/hc/en-us/ ... -Lifeline-

[supranihilest]

How is a cell phone supposed to broadcast your location without cell service? It can't by definition. Get an inReach with the recreation plan (the safety plan doesn't include unlimited tracking). It's more expensive but you can't put a price on your life.