BMW i3 GPS tracking, free and private
Know where your i3 is at any moment - without the manufacturer's cloud and without a subscription. A spare Android phone plus the free SpySat app is all it takes.
| Model year | 2013 - 2022 |
|---|---|
| Body | compact electric hatchback (carbon-fibre body) |
| Battery | 22 / 33 / 42.2 kWh |
| Range | up to ~300 km (42.2 kWh) |
| Built in | Leipzig, Germany |
About the BMW i3
The i3 was BMW's pioneering city EV - a carbon-fibre-bodied, rear-engined hatch that was years ahead of its time and is now a cheap, charming used electric car. Even a covered carport can hide a tracking phone in its tall, boxy cabin.
Where to mount a tracking phone in the i3
- Under the boot floor - compact but ideal for a small phone.
- Under the front passenger seat - flat and hidden.
- Centre console / under the rear bench - near USB power.
- Power - USB or the 12 V socket.
- Signal - avoid metal fixings; the glass areas pass GPS well.
Private by design - no manufacturer cloud, no foreign servers
Modern cars are permanently connected: the maker's own app knows where your car is and routes that data through its cloud. Our approach is the opposite. Tracking runs entirely on a phone you own, and your location history lives in your own SpySat account. We do not pass it to the car maker and we do not send it to any foreign data centre.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track an i3 without the BMW app?
Yes - independent of BMW's connected services.
Where to hide it in an i3?
Under the boot floor or under the front passenger seat.
Data abroad?
No; it stays in your SpySat account.
Cost?
Free app and platform; only phone data.
EV electronics affected?
No - the phone is completely separate.
Multiple cars?
Yes, unlimited endpoints.
Legal?
Own/authorised vehicles only.
What owners say
No reviews yet - be the first to share where you mounted your tracker.
Quick start
Put a spare Android phone in the car, run the SpySat app, name the device and set a PIN, then watch it live on the map. The full guide lives on one page: