FAQ
Is this service really free?
Yes. We never ask for your credit card number or billing address
anywhere on this site. We intend to keep the service free indefinitely.
Who is behind InstaMapper?
A small, privately owned company based in Seattle, USA.
What do you do with my tracking data?
Location data
is used solely for providing GPS tracking services. We do not sell
or share your data.
What's the cheapest phone / data plan compatible with this service?
Boost Mobile i425 prepaid phone sells for under $40 and is
readily available. Both Target and Best Buy carry it. The unlimited data
plan for this phone costs 35 cents per day.
Will my existing phone work?
See the
list of supported phones.
I already have a dedicated tracking device. Will it work with InstaMapper?
InstaMapper only works with supported cell phones. Dedicated GPS
tracking devies (such as Zoombak) will not work.
Can I use InstaMapper without an unlimited data plan?
You could, but we strongly advise against this. InstaMapper is fairly
data-intensive. If you do a lot of tracking, your phone bill could
be very high.
Is my phone being tracked all the time?
Your phone sends tracking data only when our application is running. On the iPhone,
the software must stay in the foreground. Other phones allow the software to run
in the background.
What information does my phone transmit to InstaMapper?
The data sent to InstaMapper includes location (latitude, longitude,
speed, etc.), a timestamp, and a randomly assigned id.
We do not transmit your phone number or any other personally identifiable
information.
How frequently do you update my phone's location on the web site?
By default, your phone tries to transmit location data to InstaMapper
every 5 seconds if you are moving 20 mph or faster and if someone
is currently tracking you online. If you are not moving, the minimum
update rate is 60 seconds. If are not being tracked online, the minimum
update interval is 30 seconds.
Can a tracking device be installed permanently in a car?
Yes. Installation doesn't take very long, and can be done
as a
DYI.
How much historical data do you store?
InstaMapper allows you to export up to 100,000 recent locations per
device.
How do I delete my account?
Log in to your account and click on "Account settings".
I really like your service. What can I do to support it?
We accept
donations
via PayPal.
What do I do if my question isn't answered here?
Your best bet is to post your question in the appropriate section of
our
forums. You
can also
contact us by email.