How to configure Location Tracking?

Location Tracking feature in Hexnode enables organizations to find lost or misplaced devices, and fetch real-time device location information as well as the complete history of locations traversed by the device previously. The information about the time spent by an employee in a specific location helps administrators evaluate employee performance and make better business decisions.

The ability of Hexnode UEM to track device location remotely finds the best use in various industrial sectors such as distribution, warehousing, and all others where there is a necessity to track the location of company-owned devices used by field employees. Hexnode allows you to track the locations of Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Android TV OS devices.

Notes:

• For macOS devices, the Hexnode UEM app should be installed on the devices with the Location permission granted to the app.
• On iOS devices, Hexnode can detect significant location changes even if the app is not running in the background.

Location is tracked when the Hexnode UEM app is running in the background. However, when there is a significant location change (500 meters or above), the app wakes up on its own, and the location is tracked even if the app is not running in the background.

• Device location cannot be obtained if devices have been powered off, are not connected to the internet, or location services have been disabled.
• If you need to pinpoint your device location with high precision, ensure that the location accuracy of your device is set to High Accuracy mode. However, turning this ON can affect your device battery life as it uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to determine your location.

To turn ON High Accuracy mode on your device, tap Settings > Location > Mode > High Accuracy.

• Enable Prompt to enable location services under Admin > General Settings > Location Tracking to prompt the user to turn on location services if it is disabled, for Android devices. The user is also prompted when he tries to disable location tracking.

Periodic Location Tracking

Hexnode UEM enables administrators to fetch the location of devices at periodic time intervals. The time interval ranges from 15 minutes to 24 hours.

To enable Location Tracking on devices,

1. Login to your Hexnode UEM portal > Navigate to the Policies tab > Click on New Policy to create a new one or click on any policy to edit an existing one > Enter the Policy Name and Description in the provided fields.
2. Navigate to General Settings > Location Tracking > Configure.
   
   1. Select the option Enable Location Tracking to enable location tracking on your device.
   2. Select an appropriate Location Update Interval that indicates how frequently the location data needs to be updated. The time interval ranges from 15 minutes to 24 hours.
3. Navigate to Policy Targets > + Add Devices.
4. Select the required device(s) to which the policy needs to be associated > Click OK.
5. Click on Save.

Enabling location services on devices

Instantaneous Location Tracking

Hexnode UEM also enables you to track the location of your enrolled devices on-demand even if periodic location tracking is enabled.

To track the device location instantaneously,

1. On the Hexnode UEM console, head on to the Manage tab > Devices > Select the device(s) for which you have enabled Location Tracking.
2. Click on the Manage button > Scan Device Location.

OR

1. On the Hexnode UEM console, head on to the Manage tab > Devices.
2. Click on the device name to which you have enabled Location Tracking. This will take you to the device summary page.
3. Click on Actions > Scan Device Location to view the most recent geographic location of the device.

View device location

To view the current location of a device using Hexnode UEM,

1. Login to your Hexnode UEM portal.
2. Navigate to the Manage tab > Devices.
3. Click on the device name for which you have enabled location services.
4. On the device summary page, you can see the most recent location of your device.

Disable Location Tracking

By disabling Location Tracking Services on the device(s), you can stop the device(s) from being tracked.

To disable location tracking on devices using Hexnode UEM,

1. Login to your Hexnode UEM portal.
2. Navigate to the Policies tab > Select the required Location Tracking policy.
3. Enter the Policy Name and Description in the provided fields.
4. Click on General Settings.
5. Uncheck the option Enable Location Tracking to disable location tracking services on the device(s).

6. Go to Policy Targets > + Add Devices > Select the required device(s) to which the policy needs to be associated > Click OK.
7. Click on Save.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Common reasons for location tracking to fail.