Quickstart with OwnTracks

OwnTracks is a free, open-source location publisher available for iOS and Android. It's the easiest way to get your phone tracking. Five minutes start to finish.

1. Install the app

  • iOS: search the App Store for OwnTracks.
  • Android: search the Play Store for OwnTracks.

Both apps are free.

2. Get your tracking URL

In your Where Is Tereza? admin, open GPS sources and pick Add OwnTracks. The page shows a personalized URL like:

https://app.whereistereza.com/o/yourname/api/t/owntracks

Followed by a one-time-show token. Both stay private — anyone with the URL can post location updates to your account.

3. Configure OwnTracks

Open OwnTracks → Preferences → Mode → choose HTTP.

Then Preferences → HTTP:

  • URL: paste the URL from step 2.
  • Username / Password: leave blank (the URL already carries authorization).
  • Tracker ID: anything short. This will be the device label on your map (e.g. iP for iPhone, An for Android).

That's it. Tap the up-arrow icon in the top bar to publish your current position. Within a few seconds you'll see the dot move on your live map.

4. Verify it's working

Open https://app.whereistereza.com/o/yourname/ in any browser. You should see your current position pulse on the dark map. Move outside, take twenty steps, watch the route draw itself.

5. Battery tips

OwnTracks defaults to a "significant location change" mode that's extremely battery-friendly — typically less than 5% drain over a full day of tracking. If you want denser sampling for a specific trip (e.g. you're racing a marathon and want one point per second), switch to Move mode in OwnTracks Preferences → Reporting for the duration of the activity, then back to Significant.

What's next

Need help? Contact support · Where Is Tereza?