Installation
How to install a GPS tracker and who to ask
Plug-in, hardwired or battery: what each install involves, how long it takes, and when to use a professional installer.
Updated · 5 min read · Runic
Short answer
A plug-in OBD tracker installs in about two minutes: find the OBD port under the dashboard, push the device in, wait for the first position. A hardwired 2G or 4G tracker should be fitted by an auto-electrician and takes roughly 30–60 minutes. Battery trackers need no wiring at all.
Key takeaways
- OBD is the fastest route and needs no tools, but it is visible and removable.
- Hardwired is hidden and survives a battery disconnect thanks to the backup cell.
- Book an installer for anything wired — a bad splice causes electrical faults, not just tracking gaps.
Plug-in OBD: two minutes, no tools
The OBD port sits within reach of the driver seat, usually under the steering column. Push the tracker in, and it powers up with the vehicle. First position typically arrives within a few minutes.
The trade-off is visibility: anyone who knows where to look can unplug it. Good for usage insight and family cars, weaker as an anti-theft measure on its own.
Hardwired 2G and 4G: hidden and resilient
A wired unit takes permanent power, ground, and usually an ignition sense wire, then is tucked out of sight behind trim. Because it is concealed and has a backup battery, it keeps reporting if power is cut.
This is the right choice for vans, trucks, machinery and anything you would call a target.
Who should do the work
Any competent auto-electrician can fit a tracker. Ask for a fused permanent feed, soldered or properly crimped joints, and a placement that keeps the GPS antenna facing upward and away from large metal panels.
- Bring the vehicle documents if the fitter needs the fuse box layout
- Agree the hiding place in advance — behind the dash, not in the boot lid
- Ask the installer to confirm the first live position before you leave
After the install
Check three things in the app before driving away: a live position, an ignition-on event, and a movement alert. If all three arrive, the install is sound.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install a hardwired tracker myself?
- You can if you are comfortable with vehicle wiring and fused feeds. If you are not, use an installer — a poor splice can drain the battery or trip vehicle electronics.
- Will fitting a tracker void my warranty?
- A correctly fitted, fused tracker on a permanent feed does not normally affect a manufacturer warranty. Avoid cutting into CAN bus wiring.
- Where should the tracker be hidden?
- Somewhere dry, upward-facing and not obvious: behind the dashboard or A-pillar trim. Avoid the engine bay and metal enclosures.