FAQ
Do I need a server?
No. The app stores location history locally. Server sync is optional.
What data does the app send?
Nothing, unless you turn Cloud sync on. With it on, only GPS data (coordinates, accuracy, altitude, speed, bearing, battery status, timestamp) goes to REITrack Cloud. Nothing else. No analytics, no telemetry.
Is this compatible with Google Timeline?
No. REITrack records and maps your own location history; it does not add social or friend-tracking features.
Does this work without Google Play Services?
Yes. The noGms variant uses Android's native LocationManager and has no Google Play Services dependency. It works on LineageOS, GrapheneOS, CalyxOS and any ROM without Google services.
On Android 12+ the noGms variant requests the platform's built-in fused location provider (an AOSP API, not Google Play Services), which adds Wi-Fi and cell tower fusion on ROMs that provide a network location backend. Without such a backend, or on Android 11 and older, it transparently uses raw GPS.
The Google Play variant uses FusedLocationProvider from Google Play Services for the same Wi-Fi and cell tower fusion on any Android version.
GrapheneOS users: You can use the GMS variant with sandboxed Google Play. GrapheneOS reroutes location requests to its own reimplementation of the Play geolocation service, so you get the accuracy benefits of FusedLocationProvider without sending location data to Google.
Which variant should I use - noGms or Google Play?
The Google Play variant is generally the better choice for most users. FusedLocationProvider combines GPS, Wi-Fi, cell towers and motion sensors to deliver faster fixes and better battery efficiency, especially indoors and in dense urban areas.
The noGms variant uses the platform's fused location provider on Android 12+, which delivers comparable accuracy on stock ROMs. On de-Googled ROMs without a network location backend and on Android 11 or older it falls back to raw GPS - reliable outdoors, but cold-start fixes can be slower and indoor accuracy is weaker without Wi-Fi and cell tower fusion.
If avoiding (sandboxed) Play Services is a priority, the noGms variant is a perfectly fine option. On GrapheneOS with sandboxed Google Play, the GMS variant gives you the accuracy benefits without sending location data to Google (see above).
How accurate is the tracking?
3-10 meters in open sky, 10-50 meters in urban areas. The accuracy filter helps remove poor fixes.
Can I use maps without internet?
Yes. Go to Settings > Offline Maps to download map areas to your device. Pan and zoom the map to frame the area you want, give it a name, and tap Download Area. Downloaded tiles persist across app restarts and work without any network connection. See Offline Maps for details.
Can I export my location history?
Yes. Tap Export on the Dashboard to export in CSV, GeoJSON, GPX, or KML. See Data Export for details.
Can I back up everything and move to a new device?
Yes. Go to Settings → Backup & Restore to create a single password-encrypted .rootcastle file containing your locations, settings, geofences and credentials. Restore it on the new device with the same password. See Backup & Restore for details.
I forgot my backup password, can I recover it?
No. Backups are encrypted with a key derived from your password. There is no recovery code, no email reset and no developer override. If the password is lost the data inside is unrecoverable. Store the password in a password manager before creating the backup.
Will restoring a backup overwrite my current data?
Yes. Restore is replace-everything: locations, settings, geofences and credentials currently on the device are replaced by what's in the backup. There is no merge mode. If you want to keep the current data, take a backup of it first.
What happens when the phone restarts?
If auto-start on boot is enabled, REITrack automatically resumes tracking after a device restart when tracking was active before.
How much battery does it use?
Depends on your settings. With the Balanced preset (30s interval, batch sync), typical usage is moderate. See Battery Optimization for tips.
How do I update the app?
Once REITrack is on Google Play it updates automatically, or you can open the Play Store and tap Update. Direct builds install over the existing app and keep your data.
Is there an iOS version?
No, and none is currently planned. The UI is React Native, but the core of the app - background location tracking, the foreground service, geofencing, and sync scheduling - is all native Android Kotlin code that would need to be rewritten from scratch for iOS. Beyond the technical effort, Apple's developer account costs 100 EUR/year, maintaining two platforms would significantly increase the ongoing work, and testing without a real iPhone would be impractical.
If an iOS version were ever built, it would realistically need to be a paid app to offset the cost and effort - which would shift this from a hobby project into something with different expectations. It's not off the table forever, but there are no concrete plans.
What Android versions are supported?
REITrack requires Android 8.0 (API 26) or higher.
Why does REITrack ask for "Local network access" permission?
On Android 17+, apps need the Local Network Access permission to reach local network addresses. REITrack uses it only for local map tile servers, never for device scanning or discovery. On some Android 16 devices, this may be enforced early via security patches under the "Nearby devices" permission name.