# Enable location tracking for co-managed Windows devices

The **Enable Location Tracking** remote action allows IT administrators to track the real-time geographical position and movement history of co-managed Windows devices without requiring a standard MDM policy.

**What is Location Tracking in Hexnode UEM?**
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Location tracking is a security and asset management feature that fetches real-time coordinates and maintains a historical log of a device’s traversed locations to assist in recovering lost or misplaced assets.

- **Standard Devices**: Typically require a **Location Tracking policy** to be associated with the device.
- **Co-managed Devices**: Cannot have policies associated with them; therefore, the **Enable Location Tracking** remote action is used to bypass the policy requirement.
- **Update Frequency**: Once enabled, Hexnode automatically updates the device location every 30 minutes.

Prerequisites and Dependencies
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ItemRequirement**Device Eligibility**Available strictly for **co-managed Windows devices**.**Instant Tracking**The **Scan Device Location** action remains greyed out until **Enable Location Tracking** is successfully executed.**Step-by-Step Guide: Executing Location Tracking Actions**
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1. ### **How to Enable Location Tracking**
    
    
    1. Open the Hexnode UEM console.
    2. Navigate to **Manage > Devices**.
    3. Select the target devices (or click on a specific device).
    4. Select **Actions > Security > Enable Location Tracking**.
    5. Configure the **user prompt** setting: 
        - **Force location tracking without user prompt**: If enabled, tracking activates silently without requesting permission.
        - **Disabled (Default)**: The user receives a prompt: “*Your administrator has requested permission to track the device’s location.*” and must approve it.
    6. Click **Enable**.
    
    [![User consent prompt to enable location tracking for co-managed Windows devices](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Prompt-to-enable-location-tracking-for-co-managed-Windows-devices.png "Prompt to enable location tracking for co-managed Windows devices")](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Prompt-to-enable-location-tracking-for-co-managed-Windows-devices.png)
2. ### **How to Fetch Instantaneous Location (Scan Device Location)**
    
    Use this action to bypass the 30-minute interval and retrieve an immediate location update.
    
    
    1. Navigate to **Manage > Devices**.
    2. Click on the device name to open the **Device Summary** page.
    3. Select **Actions > Scanning & Monitoring > Scan Device Location**.
    
     Note: 
    This action is only available after Enable Location Tracking has been executed.

**Viewing and Managing Location Data**
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Administrators can monitor device positions and export reports for audit or recovery purposes.

### Accessing Location Details

1. Navigate to **Manage > Devices**.
2. Click the device name and view the current location on the dashboard.
3. Click **See history** to access the full log.

### Available History Actions:

- **Filter**: Sort location reports by specific dates.
- **Export**: Download reports as a CSV file.
- **Clear**: Permanently remove the device’s location history from the portal.

**How to Disable Location Tracking**
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To stop all location updates for a device:

1. Navigate to **Manage > Devices**.
2. Select the target devices.
3. Select A**ctions > Security > Disable Location Tracking**.
4. Click **Continue**.

[![Disable location tracking for co-managed devices using the ](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Disable-location-tracking-for-co-managed-Windows-devices.png "Disable location tracking for co-managed Windows devices")](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Disable-location-tracking-for-co-managed-Windows-devices.png)

**Troubleshooting: Location Check Failures**
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If the location check fails or coordinates are not updating, verify the following requirements on the target device:

### Device-Side Requirements

- **OS Verification**: Ensure the device is running Windows 10 or 11.
- **Always-on Internet**: Verify the device has a stable internet connection.
- **Windows Location Services**: This must be enabled manually or via script on the device: 
    - Go to **Settings > Privacy > Location**.
    - Toggle the **Location service** button to **On**.

### Policy Configuration (For Standard Managed Devices)

If the device is not co-managed and uses a standard policy:

1. Log in to your **UEM portal > Policies**.
2. Select the associated policy and go to **General Settings > Location Tracking**.
3. Check the option **Enable Location Tracking**.
4. Set the **Location Update Interval** (Choose between 15 minutes and 24 hours).

**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)**
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#### **Why is “Scan Device Location” greyed out a co-managed device?**

The **Scan Device Location** action is dependent on the **Enable Location Tracking** action. The **Scan Device Location** action must be successfully executed before the instantaneous scan becomes available.

#### **Can a device be tracked without the user knowing?** 

Yes. By enabling the **Force location tracking without user prompt** option during the “Enable” action, the device will be tracked without displaying a permission request to the user.

#### **How often does Hexnode update the location of a co-managed device?**

After the remote action is executed, the location is fetched automatically every **30 minutes**.