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Off-Grid Tracking

  • Updated

Off-Grid Tracking lets you receive your pet's location by satellite text when your phone has no cell service.

At this time, Off‑Grid Tracking requires a Fi Ultra tracker and a phone plan that supports satellite texting.

Side view of a Shepherd Mix wearing a Fi Ultra tracker sprinting across the desert

How Off-Grid Tracking Works

Using the Compass

Exiting Off-Grid Tracking

Satellite Texting Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How Off-Grid Tracking Works

Cell coverage can vary, so your Fi tracker may have service when your phone does not. When this happens, you can use satellite texting to get a link to your pet's most recent GPS location. The link opens a digital compass in the Fi app, giving you directions to your pet. Activating Off-Grid Tracking also enables Lost Mode for the pet you are tracking.

When your phone has no cell service, the Fi app prompts you to request your pet's most recent GPS location by satellite text. To start Off-Grid Tracking:

  1. Tap the Start Off-Grid Tracking button in the Fi app, which automatically drafts a TRACK text to (646) 624-0895.

    Fi App screen saying your phone has no cellular connection, with the Start Off-Grid Tracking button

  2. Tap Send.

    Off-Grid Tracking text to (646) 624-0895 drafted in Messages, ready to send

  3. When Fi replies, tap the link to open the Compass in the Fi app.

    Fi reply text confirming opt-in, with a link to your pet's location

Fi replies once to each TRACK text with a link to the Compass. To get a new location later, send another TRACK text or tap Request latest location in the Compass.

Using the Compass

When you tap the link in Fi's reply, a Compass opens in the Fi app, guiding you toward your pet's last known location. The Compass shows:

  • The distance between you and your pet's last known location.
  • How long ago that location was reported.
  • A digital compass with directional arrows, pointing you towards your pet.
  • The Request latest location button.
Fi App Compass showing distance, time since last location, and the Request latest location button

Use this digital compass as you would a real one: 

  1. Hold your phone flat, parallel to the ground, with the screen facing the sky. 
  2. While standing in one place, turn around until the arrows on the compass line up.
  3. Once the arrows line up, walk in the direction the arrows point to.
Fi App Compass with green arrows lined up toward the pet

Your pet's location in the Compass does not update automatically. To get an updated location:

  1. Tap Request latest location. The Fi app will auto-draft a text for you.
  2. Tap Send.
  3. Tap the link in Fi's new reply.

To switch pets, tap the pet name at the top of the compass. 

If Fi has not sent a location for that pet yet, the screen will show No last location. Tap Request latest location to get one.

Exiting Off-Grid Tracking

There are two ways to exit Off-Grid Tracking.

Back Online

When your phone reconnects to cell service, the app will show an option to Switch to Full Functionality. Tap Switch to Full Functionality to return to the normal app. From here, you can manually disable Lost Mode. To learn more about enabling and disabling Lost Mode, see Enable Lost Mode.

Fi App prompt to switch to full functionality or continue Off-Grid Tracking

To stay in Off-Grid Tracking, tap Continue Off-Grid Tracking.

Manual Exit

You can also exit Off-Grid Tracking manually. 

  1. Tap the X in the top right corner. The app will show Exit Off-Grid Tracking.
  2. Tap Yes, exit to confirm.
  3. From here, you can manually disable Lost Mode. To learn more about enabling and disabling Lost Mode, see Enable Lost Mode.
Fi App prompt confirming you want to exit Off-Grid Tracking

Satellite Texting Resources

For help with satellite texting on your phone, visit these guides from Apple and T-Mobile:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything I can do to prepare to use Off-Grid Tracking?

If you are planning to take a trip to a remote area without cell service, make sure you open the Fi app while your phone still has an internet connection, such as Wi-Fi or cell service. Also check that satellite texting is set up and turned on for your phone and carrier plan.

Which of my pets can I use Off-Grid Tracking with?

Pets with an active Fi Ultra tracker linked to their profile can use Off-Grid Tracking.

Why is my pet grayed out?

Your pet may be grayed out if it does not have an active Fi Ultra tracker, or if your account permissions do not include access to Off‑Grid Tracking. Only members with Full-Access permissions have access to Off-Grid Tracking.

Can I use Off‑Grid Tracking with other Fi trackers?

Off‑Grid Tracking is designed for Fi Ultra. If at least one pet in your household has an active Fi Ultra, your other pets also appear in Off‑Grid Tracking. For pets wearing another Fi tracker model, Off‑Grid Tracking may still work when the tracker is online but your phone has no cell service.

How long does it take to receive a location update?

Satellite connectivity can be inconsistent, and it can take up to 5 minutes to receive an update.

What if my text messages aren't going through?

Your phone may not offer a satellite connection until a first attempt fails, so if your text does not send, try sending it again. For more help, see the Satellite Texting Resources section above.

What do the different colors on the compass signify?

The compass arrows will change color depending on the direction your phone is pointed. A green arrow indicates that your phone is pointing towards your pet. A yellow arrow indicates you are pointing in the general direction of your pet. A red arrow indicates you are pointing away from your pet.