How To Remove A GPS Tracker From A Car? 3 Easy Steps

GPS trackers have become synonymous with safety and efficiency. GPS trackers can track your assets and loved ones, whether for business or personal tracking, to ensure safety. Nevertheless, you are reading this blog about removing a GPS tracker from a car. So, we assume that you have a substantial reason for wanting to remove your GPS tracker.

1. You want to upgrade or repair your tracker.
2. You want to use the tracker for a new car.
3. You have no idea how the tracker got in your car in the first place. 

In the first two cases, you already know the type of tracker and where you can find it. However, if you are a victim of illegal tracking and your privacy is at risk, you might need to vet every nook and cranny. And if you cannot find it, we advise getting expert help. 

Types of GPS trackers 

In this section, we guide you through the different types of GPS trackers and explain the specific removal procedures for each type, as detailed below.

Magnetic Trackers

Magnetic trackers are one of the best and simplest GPS devices. They either have in-built magnets or come with a separate magnetic case. Installation is simple. All you need to do is place it on a metallic surface.

Uninstalling these trackers is also straightforward. You must remove the GPS tracker from the surface. The best places to install GPS trackers are under the car or inside the wheel well. So, if you need to find a discreet magnetic GPS tracker, double-check all the metallic surfaces—inside and outside of a car.

Plug-and-play trackers

Plug-in Tracking is a high-quality vehicle GPS tracking system. It features a compact device connecting directly to the OBD II port, typically under the steering wheel.

Mechanics and service technicians also use this port to run diagnostic codes. That’s why plug-in GPS tracking devices also offer diagnostic reports, along with location tracking. These are very easy to install. 

Although the OBD II ports are usually located under the dashboard, near where the driver positions their legs, placing a GPS tracker too close to the pedals can potentially make driving uncomfortable due to limited space. Therefore, there are OBD extension cables available. You can reposition the GPS tracking device to a safer location, such as your vehicle’s dashboard, by using these cables. You can start tracking as soon as you plug it in and activate the companion app.

As far as removing these GPS trackers is concerned, you need to locate them and unplug the device. The plug-and-play devices work when the car is plugged in, not when it is disconnected. It is simple to disable. Also, the devices have an internal antenna and battery to keep sending the signals. When unplugged, the device notifies the owner.

Hardwired GPS Tracker

Hardwired GPS trackers, as their name implies, directly connect to the car’s system and draw power from the engine. These are difficult to install and remove, and you will need expert assistance. As a result, it is difficult to tamper with or manipulate them. However, the wired tracking devices operate using a battery and antenna, through which they can send alerts when any tampering occurs.

A hardwired GPS tracker also enables you to remotely disable the car’s ignition if it senses a security violation, which does not happen in the case of plug-in devices.

Most people prefer hardwired GPS trackers over others for two main reasons: 

1. They connect to the engine battery and do not require recharging.
2. They are safely concealed in the car, rendering them inaccessible.

If you are considering the removal of a hardwired GPS tracker from your car, the best option is to consult your local auto repair mechanic for professional assistance. They will guarantee the tracker’s proper uninstallation and continued viability.

How do I remove the GPS tracker from the car?

We have already discussed the various types of GPS trackers for cars and how you can install or uninstall them. Removing portable or plug-and-play trackers is easy. Here are 3 easy steps to uninstall a hardwired GPS tracker without damaging your car or the tracking device. 

Find the device

If you have installed a GPS tracker on your car, you know where it is. But if you suspect foul play, you must first locate the device. Here are a few ways to find it:

• Open the underside of your dash and look for something that seems out of place. 
• Look for new wiring or additional electrical tape.
• Also, look for wires that are different in thickness or color compared to the ones already there.
• Check for the wires that connect to the car’s roof.
• Then, you may encounter a plastic device about the size of a deck of cards, with two wires connecting it to the ignition wires.
• There can also be wires connected to the vehicle’s ground, which you should handle with care.

Find the components

There may be different wires.

• One of the wires could be the GPS antenna. You can follow the wire to the top of your car and remove it the same way.
• The next one could be the GSM antenna, next to the GPS antenna.
• The red wire on the ignition can serve as one of the wires, ensuring that the device maintains power and the battery continues to charge.
• There can be wires in the vehicle’s ground.
• It is also possible that there are two relay wires to the ignition.

Remove the wires and devices

Now is the time to remove the cable from your car’s battery. Removing the components is not difficult. You’ll need to disconnect the antennas at the receiver and pull the GPS antenna. Bring the car back to its best form.

Now that you have successfully removed the device from the vehicle, you need to reconnect all the ignition wires and put the components back in their original place. It would help if you connected all the wires back together.

The person who installed the GPS tracker device in your car might have damaged the wires. If you’ve found the damage, remove it and reconnect it. Now the only way to ensure that you haven’t messed up is to try and start your car. If it starts, you do everything right.

With the Family1st GPS tracker, you can improve your car’s security

GPS technology has proven to be efficient in keeping your valuable car safe from theft. Some advanced tracking solutions, like Family1st GPS trackers, also offer several add-ons that assist you in better driving, regular maintenance, fuel usage, and insurance costs. So whatever your reason for removing the existing GPS tracker, you must consider getting theGPS tracker from Family 1st. 

Here’s a quick look at the features of this tracker:

• It is compact, lightweight, and portable, making it easy to hide and install. This tracker is portable, enabling you to conveniently monitor multiple assets or even your loved ones by moving the device as needed.
• The device costs only $29.95, with a $21.95 monthly subscription. There is no contract. You can cancel and activate your tracking solution whenever you want. No hidden charges.
• The tracker offers location data in real-time, backed by a 2-week-long battery life. 
• The device comes with multi-connectivity features. It has a 4G network SIM and can integrate with WiFi for indoor tracking. 
• You can integrate the GPS device with Alexa and use voice commands to access data and reports on your screens.
• Family1st offers a lifetime warranty on all its tracking devices. You also get unbridled access to top-notch 24/7 customer service, all around the year. 

If you are still undecided, here are some ways the Family1st GPS tracker can assist you:

• All our devices integrate with a companion app that you can download on any iOS or Android device. For example, if you have our GPS tracker in your teen’s car, you and your spouse can check up on it through your phones. 
• Our solution also has the Geofence feature, through which you can create virtual boundaries around places you deem safe or unsafe. For your car’s safety, you can create a safe zone around every place you park it. Whenever your vehicle moves inside or leaves these safe zones, you get an alert. 
• If your spouse or a family member borrows your car to travel within the USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, the Family1st GPS tracker has your car’s back. Our 4G connectivity ensures location tracking in all the above countries. 
• Our GPS tracker is also one of the leading personal trackers in the United States, known for its best security features. We also offer real-time location tracking in case of theft or emergency, enabling faster recovery of your car. So, your auto insurer may offer you a discount on premiums.

The first portable GPS tracker is easy to install. It comes with a magnetic case that you can use to attach the tracker to a metallic surface. One of the best reasons to buy our portable tracker is its versatility; you can track assets, people, and pets with a single tracker, one at a time.

And if you ever need to remove it from your car, you can always contact our customer care and get all the assistance you need. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the main types of GPS trackers used in vehicles?

Ans. There are three primary types of GPS trackers used in vehicles:

• Magnetic Trackers: These trackers are equipped with built-in magnets and can be easily installed on any metallic surface of the car.
• Plug-and-Play Trackers: These devices plug directly into the OBD II port under the car’s dashboard and provide both location tracking and diagnostic reports.
• Hardwired Trackers: These are integrated directly into the car’s electrical system and are typically more secure because they are harder to remove without professional assistance.

Q. How can I remove a magnetic GPS tracker from my car?

 Ans. To remove a magnetic GPS tracker, locate the device, typically placed under the car or inside the wheel well. Since they are attached via magnets, simply pull the tracker off the metallic surface.

Q. What steps should I follow to uninstall a plug-and-play GPS tracker?

Ans. Locate the OBD II port under your dashboard or near the driver’s legs. Unplug the device from the port. These devices are straightforward to disconnect, making them easy to remove without professional assistance.

Q. How do I remove a hardwired GPS tracker from my car?

Ans. Removing a hardwired GPS tracker is more complex and requires identifying and disconnecting multiple components, including the GPS antenna and any related wiring. We strongly recommend seeking assistance from a professional mechanic to prevent damage to your car’s electrical system.

Q. Can I transfer my GPS tracker to another vehicle?

Ans. You can easily transfer magnetic and plug-and-play GPS trackers to another vehicle by simply removing them from one and reinstalling them in another. However, hardwired trackers are more complex to transfer and may require professional installation services in the new vehicle.