General
Q: How this app works?
Q: Does my phone need cellular service to run the app?
Q: Does the app work in a tablet?
Q: How to view the location?
Q: Why the app cannot login to the server?
Q: Can I track multiple smart phones with one account?
Q: What is a Vehicle Tracking Device?
Q: What is Power Saving Mode?
Q: Why the map page shows out-of-date information?
Q: Can I use the app for business use?
Security and Privacy
Q: How does FollowMee protect my location data?
Q: How does FollowMee protect my privacy?
Location Sharing
Q: My location data is protected by my credential. How can I share my current location or past tracks?
Q: How can I embed the map of my shared location to my web site?
Q: My tracked device has moved but my embedded map still shows out-of-date location. Why?
iPhone
Q: Why I have this error message: Location service is denied for this application?
Q: Why the app crashes?
Q: I want to use this app to spy my teenager son. How can I make the app invisible?
Blackberry
Q: It pops up an APN error when I start the app in my Blackberry.
Q: I already entered an APN in app settings, but the app still cannot start.
Q: I have a problem with the Blackberry app. How do I obtain technical support?
Q: I have touch screen Blackbery and the app is not in full screen with the virtual keyboard occupied the bottom half of the phone screen.
Q: When I run the app, the phone repeatedly prompts for security permission.
Q: I have enable Call-In function but the phone does not auto answer the phone call.
Q: I have enable Auto Reboot function but the phone does not reboot automatically. It leaves a message box asking to reboot.
Q: I have enable Stealth Mode. When I dial the special number, the app does not open.
Q: I have enable Stealth Mode but the app still shows up in the application list under device options.
Q: How this app works?
A: The purpose of this app is to record locations of your phone and upload to our server. Once you have registered an account and entered the credentials to the app, the app will be running quietly in the background. There will be no user interaction involved. As location is recorded, it is uploaded to our server. You can view the locations on a map through http://www.FollowMee.com. You can view the current location as well as past locations.
Therefore, if your kid or your other family members have a compatible phone, you can monitor (or even spy) their locations by installing this app to their phones. This works best if your teenager childs have just started to drive. You can either install the app to their phones, or place a dedicated phone in the car. In the latter case, it is better to use a cheaper smartphone like BlackBerry. We have FollowMee app for Blackberry (
link). Now your children won't be able to lie about their whereabout.
Q: Does my phone need cellular service to run the app?
A: No, you don't have to. If your phone has WiFi and you don't need the real time upload of your location. You can run the app as WiFi-Only mode. In this mode, the app records location per your configured interval and saves them in the phone memory. When the phone has a WiFi connection, it then uploads the data to the server. Running the WiFi-Only tracker is no different from running the regular tracker. Just note that when you first start the app, you need to turn on WiFi so that the app can check in to the server. After that, WiFi connection is not required for the app to run (but does needs WiFi connection to upload data). A full-time Vehicle Tracking Device can run in WiFi-Only mode. For details, see
how to set up a WiFi-Only Vehicle Tracking Device.
If you need to monitor location real time, then cellular service is required. Cellular service enables the app to upload location as soon as it is recorded.
Q: Does the app work in a tablet?
A: Yes, the app works in iPad, or an Android tablet. Some tablets, like iPad WiFi, don't have built-in GPS chip. In this case, only network location is recorded. If the tablet has cellular service, the app will run just like in a regular smart phone. If the tablet has only WiFi but no cellular service, the app will run in
WiFi-Only mode.
Q: How to view the location?
A: Current and past location can be viewed in a desktop browser or a mobile browser through our web site (http://www.FollowMee.com). Got to the Map page. If you have more than one phones in your account, you need to select a phone first before viewing its location. You can view map of current location and past location. You can generate a public URL for your current or past locations to share with other people. You can also export them to a file of Google Earth format.
Q: Why the app cannot login to the server?
A: You receive login error message when you press the Start button in the FollowMee tracker app. First make sure that you have registered an account with us. Then make sure that your user name and password are entered correctly. Ocassionally, the login process fails because it cannot connect to the server. In this case, you just need to try again later.
Q: Can I track multiple smart phones with one account?
A: Yes. You can track multiple phones (including different phone makes) with just one user account. When you install FollowMee app to these phones, enter the same user name and password to each phone. FollowMee can differentiate each device. When you view the map page, you will see your phone list. Just select the phone that you want to monitor. Or you can click "All" link to view the current location of all your phones.
Q: What is a Vehicle Tracking Device?
A: Vehicle Tracking Device is a feature for the tracker app. When enabled, it turns your phone to a dedicated vehicle tracker. The tracker app tracks only when the vehicle is driven. When the car is parked, the tracker falls into standby mode. In this way, you won't miss a single location when the car is moving. And you won't waste the phone battery when the car is stopped. To do it, you need a phone and a car charger. Install the tracker app to the phone and place the phone in the vehicle. Keep the phone plugged-in to the car power outlet. When the set up is done, you leave the phone in the car with the charger attached. When the car is driven, the tracker app wakes up and tracks the car location continuously. The battery is also being charged to keep the battery level full. When the car is stopped, the tracker app enters into standby mode and tracking is stopped. In this standby mode, battery usage is kept to its minimal. It remains in standby until the car is driven again.
Currently, this feature is available in iOS, Android and Blackberry. It is available only in the Deluxe Edition.
Q: What is Power Saving Mode?
A: The tracker app relies on GPS for positioning and GPS consumes a lot of battery power. Power Saving Mode is a setting to minimize GPS usage and therefore save battery power. When track interval is due, the app uses cell tower switch to detect if the device is still at the same place. If there is NO cell tower switch, the previously obtained location is considered current location and the app will not turn on GPS. If there is cell tower switch, the app will turn on GPS for a more accurate location scan.
- High setting (app default value) ensures the most power saving. It does not turn on GPS until there are two or more cell tower switches. This setting is perfect for driving great distance (5 miles or more). While High setting conserves battery, it migth be less sensitive to detect new location. If you find out that FollowMee often fails to track new locations, you should adjust this setting lower.
- Medium setting has modest power saving. It does not turn on GPS until there is one cell tower switch. This setting is good for driving moderate distance (5 miles or less)
- Low setting always turns on GPS at track interval. Because it does not minimize GPS use, you should increase track interval or decrease GPS timeout to conserve battery. This setting is good for tracking small distance, like hiking, running, or cycling
Q: Why the map page shows out-of-date information?
A: If the map page does not show current information, that means that the tracker app in your device is not running properly. In order words, this could be caused by the followings:
- The tracker app is not running in your device, because the user has stopped the app, or the phone has been turned off.
- The tracker app cannot obtain GPS location, most likely because the device is in-door and is not visible to the sky.
- The tracker app cannot upload location data because the phone has lost internet access.
To find out what causes the issue in your device, you need to have access to the device. Open the app in the device to see any error message. If you need help, you can send the app log file to us and we can investigate for you. To send the log file, open the app and click Action - Email Supports. Make sure to describe the problem in details when sending the log file.
Q: Can I use the app for business use?
A: Yes, you can use the app and service provided in this web site for your business. But we ask that you purchase the Deluxe Edition for each device. If you need volume purchase, or special features, please feel free to contact us.
Q: How does FollowMee protect my location data?
A: In your cell phone, your location data is encrypted when saving and uploading to the FollowMee server. When your cell phone has new location, it is encrypted when cached in the cell phone while waiting for uploading. It remains encrypted during the uploading process. Your data will never leave your cell phone in the clear format. Therefore your data is protected from man-in-middle attack.
Your password is protected in your cell phone. The clear password in the setting file is encrypted as soon as you start the FollowMee serivce. Your password is also protected in our servers. Before they are stored in our database in an encrypted format. Therefore your data is protected from identity theft.
Q: How does FollowMee protect my privacy?
A: Your location data is protected by an authentication process. Only you can view your location data. Your location is not shared in the internet. Other users cannot access your location data without your user name and password.
Q: My location data is protected by my credential. How can I share my current location or past tracks?
A: Your uploaded location data is protected by your credential, meaning that only you who know the User Name and Password can view your location. However, you can share your location by generating a public URL. Other users can navigate to this URL to access your location without logging in. Or you can create a HTML iFrame to insert in Facebook or your own web site. People visit your page can view your location. You can share the following 2 types of locations:
- Dynamic Current Location - The location referenced by this URL is a real-time location. This is dynamic because it changes as your current location changes. Use it if you want to share your current location with your family or friends. Be aware that your privacy might be at risk.
- Static Past Tracks - The location referenced by this URL is a static past tracks. It is static because it does not change as your current location changes.
To share your location, simply go to the
Map page (not available in mobile site) and click on the Share Your Location button. Follow the steps on the page to generate the public URL and the HTML iFrame. Later, you can view or remove your shared location in
the Account page (not available in mobile site).
Q: How can I embed the map of my shared location to my web site?
A: You need to have shared location before you can proceed. Please go over the
previous topic on how to share your location.
Go to
the Account page (not available in mobile site). In the shared location table, click on "iframe to embed map" in the Developer column. This will show you the following HTML code.
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http: %2F%2Fwww.followmee.com%2Fkml.aspx%3Ftoken%3D0a886fd1-b914-421f-80f1-123456789012&output=embed"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://www.followmee.com/mapx.aspx?token=12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012" >View GPS Tracks in Larger Map</a></small>
This HTML code will make two controls: an iframe to host the map (aqua highlighted) and a link for a bigger map (yellow highlighted). Copy the string to your web site. You can change the width and height of the iframe to fit to your webs site. Besides, you can customize the following:
- Zoom level of the map. Append &z=YOUR_NUMBER to the end of the iframe source string (right after "output=embed"). Zoom level is between 0 (the lowest zoom level, in which the entire world can be seen on one map) to 21+ (down to individual buildings).
- Map type. Append &t=YOUR_TYPE to the end of the iframe source string (right after "output=embed"). YOUR_TYPE can be the following:
- m - normal map
- k - satellite
- h - hybrid
- p - terrain
Q: My tracked device has moved but my embedded map still shows out-of-date location. Why?
A: The embeded map uses iFrame to display the Google map, which queries location data from the FollowMee web site. However, Google map caches the data in their server for extensive period. When there is new location update, Google map still use the cached (and out-of-date) data, instead of querying for more current data. To force Google Map to query for more current data, insert the following javascript script to your web page, right before the iFrame. Please note if you copied your iFrame string before
February 10, 2013, you must copy it again from
your account page.
<script language="JavaScript" >
function changeFMEESrc(){
var time = (new Date()).valueOf();
var elms = document.getElementsByName("fmeeframe");
for (var i=0;i<elms.length;i++)
{
var oldsrc = elms[i].src;
var start_str = "%26nc%3D";
var pos1 = oldsrc.search(start_str);
if (pos1 > -1) {
var pos2 = oldsrc.search("&output=embed");
if (pos2 > -1) {
var newsrc = oldsrc.substr(0,pos1 + start_str.length) + time + oldsrc.substr(pos2);
elms[i].src = newsrc;
}
}
}
}
window.onload=changeFMEESrc;
</script>
If you have multiple FollowMee iFrames, you just need to insert the javascript once, right before the first iFrame.
Q: Why I have this error message: Location service is denied for this application?
A: When FollowMee is first started, the iPhone prompts you for permission of using location service for the app. You should grant the permission, FollowMee relies on iPhone's location service for location tracking. If you don't grant permission, FollowMee will not be able to run normally. To grant permission, you can go to Home - Settings - General - Location Services. There, you can enable location service for FollowMee.
Q: Why the app crashes?
A: We have tried our best to perfect our app to avoid any crash. If it does happens, please press the "Email Supports" button and describe the situation of crash in the email. In additions, if you can send us the crash report, that would help us a great deal.
There are two ways to send crash reports:
-
Find the crash report in your computer and email it to us
- Sync your phone using iTunes.
- Find the crash report on your computer. Here is where they're located:
- Mac OS X :
~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/MobileDevice/<DEVICE_NAME>
- Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Application Data\Apple computer\Logs\CrashReporter/<DEVICE_NAME>
- Windows Vista or 7:
C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\Apple computer\Logs\CrashReporter/MobileDevice/<DEVICE_NAME>
The crash report file names start with application name and have the extension "crash". The reports themselves are just text files, so you can open them in your text editor and cut and paste, or (preferably) attach them to an email.
- Send the crash logs to our support email (support.fmee@gmail.com)
-
iTunes will automatically send crash reports to Apple if you agree to it. To
allow sending crash reports when you sync your phone with iTunes:
- Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac) on your iPhone under Devices.
- Click Reset Warnings.
- Sync your phone.
- When iTunes prompts you to send diagnostic and usage information to Apple, click
Agree.
Q: I want to use this app to spy my teenager son. How can I make the app invisible?
A: Currently, there is no way to hide the app icon on the iPhone screen. But there are ways to make it less noticeable. One way is to move the icon in a folder. Follow these steps:
1. Touch and hold the icon until all the icons begin to wiggle.
2. Drag the icon into a second icon.
3. The iPhone creates the folder and 2 icons inside.
4. Press the Home button to save the changes.
Other approach will be noted in the future.
Q: It pops up an APN error when I start the app in my Blackberry
A: You need to supply your carrier's APN (Access Point Name). See
Carrier APN List. Look up your carrier's APN by country. Then open the app in your phone and press the "Settings" button. Enter it to the APN field and save the change. Press the "Start" button to start tracking.
The app should work now. If still not working, go back to the Settings screen and append "apn=" (no quote) before the APN value. For example, if your carrier's APN is "internet", your entry should look like this: "apn=internet" (no quote).
If you still have error, continue reading the next question.
Q: I already entered an APN in app settings, but the app still cannot start
A: Go to Options - Advanced Options - TCP to access the TCP screen. Enter APN, User Name, and Password.
Look up carrier APN. Please note that once you have saved the setting, you should restart your handset by removing the battery, wait 30 seconds, and replace. Then go back to the TCP screen to verify that your entered values are still showing.
If you have verion 6 device, use Options - Device - Advanced System Settings - TCP IP to access the TCP screen. Make sure to check the check box for APN Settings Enabled and APN Authentication Enabled.
Q: I have a problem with the Blackberry app. How do I obtain technical support?
A: To obtain technical support, you can send an email to us at support.fmee@gmail.com. If necessary, you need to attach the application log which resides inside the phone. The easiest thing to do is to send the email or MMS from within the app (About - Report A Bug or Send Us Feedback). The log will be automatically attached to the message.
If you cannot use the above function because your phone does not have email or MMS setup, you still have alternative ways to obtain the application log. You can view the log file inside the phone by going to Home screen - Media. Once in the Media screen, press Menu - Explore. Explore to the path: Device Menory / home / user / fmee. There you will see two log files: log.txt and/or log_arch.txt. Use one of the following methods to copy the log files to your computer. Then you can send us an email and attach the log files.
-
Media Manager
You can copy files to your BlackBerry by connecting it to a computer with a USB cable and using the Media Manager application, which is part of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The Media Manager allows you to access files on the Device Memory of any model, so this is usually the best option if you do not have a Media Card and your BlackBerry does not support mounting the Device Memory via Mass Storage Mode.
How do I copy documents to my BlackBerry using the Media Manager?
-
Bluetooth
You can wirelessly copy files to the handheld if your computer and Blackberry are both equipped with Bluetooth. If you need help using Bluetooth on your computer, please refer to the documentation that came with your computer or Bluetooth hardware.
How do I copy documents to my BlackBerry using Bluetooth?
-
Card reader
You can copy files to your BlackBerry if you have a Media Card for your BlackBerry and a card reader for your computer. Take the media card out of the BlackBerry and insert it into the card reader. The card will mount as a disk on your computer, just like using Mass Storage Mode. You can copy files to the Documents folder on the Media Card, or to another folder of your choice. You can also copy files from the card to the computer.
-
Mass Storage Mode
You can copy files to your BlackBerry by connecting it to a computer with a USB cable and enabling Mass Storage Mode on the handheld. Mass Storage Mode allows you to mount a Media Card (and Device Memory on some models) as a storage drive on the computer. This is usually the best option if you have a Media Card, or if you have a BlackBerry model that supports mounting the Device Memory via Mass Storage Mode.
How do I copy documents to my BlackBerry using Mass Storage Mode?
Q: I have touch screen Blackbery and the app is not in full screen with the virtual keyboard occupied the bottom half of the phone screen
A: The app is in compatibility mode for the touch screen. All you need to do is to disable this compatibility mode and the app will be in full screen. To do it, go to the phone Options - Applications. Select FollowMee and click on the Menu hardware button and select Disable Compatibility Mode.
Q: When I run the app, the phone repeatedly prompts for security permission
A: This is a known issue for some of the OS 5.0 devices. The app makes a one-time security permissions request on its startup. However, this request fails in these devices and therefore each time that app needs to do something with the phone, the phone prompts the user for permission. This problem can be fixed by granting all permissions to the app. Go to the phone Options - Applications - FollowMee - Edit Permission. Allow all permissions to the app.
Q: I have enable Call-In function but the phone does not auto answer the phone call.
A: The app requires input simulation permission for this function but the permission is denied. To grant this permission, go to phone Options - Applications - FollowMee - Edit Permissions. Make sure that Interactions - Input Simulation is allowed. Then pull the battery to reboot the phone.
Q: I have enable Auto Reboot function but the phone does not reboot automatically. It leaves a message box asking to reboot.
A: The app requires input simulation permission for this function but the permission is denied. To grant this permission, go to phone Options - Applications - FollowMee - Edit Permissions. Make sure that Interactions - Input Simulation is allowed. Then pull the battery to reboot the phone.
Q: I have enable Stealth Mode. When I dial the special number, the app does not open.
A: The app requires input simulation permission for this function but the permission is denied. To grant this permission, go to phone Options - Applications - FollowMee - Edit Permissions. Make sure that Interactions - Input Simulation is allowed. Then pull the battery to reboot the phone.
Q: I have enable Stealth Mode but the app still shows up in the application list under device options.
A: When you install an app to your device, the app name appears in the installed application list in your device. Enable Stealth Mode hides the app icon from the device home screen but does not hide it from the application list. You are required to perform the following steps:
1. Uninstall the app from the phone. This will remove the app from the application list
2. Reboot the phone
3. Install the app from this OTA url -
http://www.followmee.com/download/followmee_stealth.jad
4. Open the app by pressing the secret code and press yes if the app asks for permission
5. Make sure that the app is running normally