The short answer
It varies from every second to every few hours, depending on the device and its settings. For business tracking, updates every 30 to 60 seconds give a live map and good route history without draining batteries; every few seconds is needed only for genuinely live following. TrackLink updates every 30 seconds, 60 seconds or 5 minutes, with 5-second and 1-second modes as explicit opt-ins.
What “real-time” really means
Most trackers are near real-time: the device takes a position, sends it, and the map updates. The delay you see is the update interval plus a few seconds of transmission. Battery trackers built to last months may only report a few times a day.
Choosing an update interval
| Interval | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 seconds | Following someone live, detailed routes | Much higher battery and data use |
| 30–60 seconds | Dispatch, customer ETAs, everyday route history | The usual business balance |
| 5 minutes | Roughly where people are through the day | Routes are less detailed |
| Hours | Long-life asset trackers | Useless for live tracking |
Why faster isn’t always better
Each update wakes the GPS and the radio, which costs battery. Updating every second can use many times the battery of updating every 30 seconds. See battery life.
How TrackLink handles updates
- Choose every 30 seconds, 60 seconds or 5 minutes; 60 seconds is the default.
- A 5-second high-frequency mode and a 1-second Live Track mode are explicit opt-ins, with battery guidance shown first.
- The Hub map moves within about five seconds of an update arriving.
- A parked phone keeps checking in without cluttering its route history.
Common questions
How often should a business GPS tracker update?
Every 30 to 60 seconds suits most businesses. Faster is only worth it if you need to follow someone live.
Why does the tracker show someone in the wrong place for a minute?
The map shows the last position received. With a 60-second interval, the person may have moved up to a minute's travel since.