New GPS - SMS question

[mirzahat]

Hi

all the android lost apps seems to work only when 3g or wifi is available.

However, is it possible to program an app that sends out an sms to a lost
device and the lost device sends the sms back automatically with gps data?

Does the app have to be installed on the lost device, or do I need special
permissions for sms?

Regards
Mirza

 

[chanchan05]

Avast! can turn on GPS and data remotely with an SMS command, then you can track it from the website. You'll need root though.

 

[Ceverol]

Free Plan B, which you download to and install on your device after you lost it, sends you emails with its location details.

Lookout and some others show you its location on a map in a web browser.

No root required for either...

 

[mirzahat]

Plan B...

hmm, does it work outside the us? worldwide?

regards
Mirza

 

[UncleMike]

Cerberus can work completely via SMS, but my experience on several devices is that location accuracy is poor without data or wifi, and sometimes the location data is just wrong. For example, as a test I tried locating my son's phone while at a theme park, and Cerberus reported that his phone was at home, about 15 miles away.

To be fair though, I don't think this is a fault in the app, as I got the same results (at roughly the same time) with a profile I setup in Tasker.

The Cerberus app itself is free, but if I remember correctly, there's a 1 or 2 week trial period on the server-based service that goes with it, after which it's about 3$ for up to five devices and perpetual use.