How location tracking works in mobile apps

How we design a reliable location tracking solution

There's no single universal solution that fits every project. A logistics company has different requirements than a field service technician, and a security app has different requirements still. That's why we always design the solution around how the app will actually be used.

When designing geolocation apps, we focus mainly on:

Before we start development, we analyze how the app will be used, the expected movement of users, and the conditions the solution needs to work in. This lets us choose the right location tracking strategy, set the correct update frequency, and use technologies that make real sense for the project.

The result is an app that delivers reliable location data, works stably even in demanding conditions, and at the same time respects both operating system rules and privacy requirements.

Simply showing a location on a map is just the starting point today. The real challenge is designing a solution that is accurate and reliable without unnecessarily draining the device's battery.

How location tracking actually works

Determining location on mobile devices isn't based on GPS alone, as many people assume. Modern operating systems combine multiple data sources to achieve the highest possible accuracy at the lowest possible energy cost.

On Android, this logic is handled mainly by the Fused Location Provider, which automatically picks the most suitable source or combination of sources based on the current situation. On iOS, the equivalent functionality is provided by Core Location, which additionally optimizes battery consumption closely and governs how apps can access location services.

As a result, developers in most cases don't work directly with GPS, but with an operating system layer that already provides optimized location data.

The operating system continuously evaluates which source, or combination of sources, will give the best result in the current situation.

Background location tracking: Android vs. iOS

Many apps need to get a location fix even when the user isn't actively using the phone. Typical examples are logistics systems, field service apps, site security or work trip logging – and it's precisely in background tracking that the difference between Android and iOS shows up the most.

1. The developer defines the requirements

   Accuracy, update interval, distance filter, app behavior.

2. The operating system always makes the final call

   Based on device conditions and available sources, it decides which source to use, when to send an update, and when to suspend the app.

On Android, apps that meet the system's requirements can track location fairly reliably even while running in the background, with more flexibility in configuring behavior – useful for logistics, navigation, or managing field workers.

On iOS, by contrast, most of the decision-making rests with the operating system. It continuously evaluates when to wake the app and when to let it get a new location fix, which saves battery and protects user privacy – but the app can't run in the background continuously.

Battery optimization

Many users assume GPS runs continuously. In reality, both Android and iOS switch positioning on and off constantly depending on the current situation. The operating system continually evaluates whether the device is actually moving and throttles or re-activates positioning as needed.

This can significantly reduce energy consumption without negatively affecting tracking accuracy while the device is in motion.

Location permissions and how they differ

Access to location isn't determined by the app's technical implementation alone. The permissions the user grants the app play an equally important role. Without the right permissions in place, not all location tracking features will be available, especially in the background. Both operating systems let the user decide whether the app can get location only while it's in use, or also in the background – but the specific dialogs and level of control differ between them.

Android offers users more granular location permission options. For example, precise or approximate location and background access can be enabled separately. In the system dialog, the user chooses between "While using the app", "Only this time", or "Don't allow" – location accuracy (precise/approximate) is configured separately.

Apple took a different approach. Permission settings are simpler, and the system itself takes over more of the decision-making, while also regularly informing the user about how the app is using location. On first launch, it presents a dialog with the choices "Allow Once", "Allow While Using App", or "Don't Allow"; background access is then granted separately via a second dialog with "Allow" / "Don't Allow" options. Granting location access, however, doesn't mean the app will get location continuously – the operating system always decides the manner and frequency.

Offline mode and data synchronization

Enterprise apps often operate in environments without a stable internet connection. Typical examples are underground garages, warehouses, industrial sites, or remote areas outside mobile network coverage.

An app therefore can't depend on a continuous internet connection. All important data needs to be stored securely on the device and sent to the server once the connection becomes available again.

Local storage

To avoid losing data during a connectivity outage, modern apps first store important information directly on the device.

Depending on the type of app, this might include location data, photos, work events, or forms filled in by the user.

• GPS coordinates
• timestamp of the record
• speed and direction of movement
• photos
• forms
• work events

Automatic synchronization

If the device temporarily loses its internet connection, the app can safely store data locally. Once the connection is available again, synchronization happens automatically in the background.

Modern apps also make sure no data is lost, events are sent in the correct order, and nothing gets processed twice. This lets the user keep working through a connectivity outage without having to handle anything manually.

Benefits of offline mode

Thanks to offline mode, the app works reliably even in places without signal.

The user doesn't need to worry about internet outages and can keep working uninterrupted, while synchronization happens automatically in the background once the connection is available again.

Most common implementation challenges

At first glance, implementing geolocation might seem like it's just about grabbing GPS coordinates. But geolocation apps often run in environments that are very demanding for mobile devices, and you need to account for a number of situations that can affect the reliability of the whole solution.

We account for all of these situations during the design phase, not after launch. Two examples from our own practice show what that looks like on real projects.

Need a mobile app that uses geolocation?

We build mobile apps for Android and iOS that use location tracking in logistics, field workforce management, security systems, and field service apps, among others. Every solution is designed around the specific requirements of the project, with a focus on reliability, low battery consumption, and secure data handling.