i want convert my old Android tracking device - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Long story short. I want to turn my old Android phone (HTC Inspire 4G) into a tracking device to catch a thief. The area near my house is plagued by motorcycle thieves who swipe bags from walking pedestrians. My idea is to carry a bait bag with an old, broken laptop in it and sew my phone to the inside of the bag where it will not be found. For my idea to work best, I need software that can perform specific functions, and so I come here for recommendations on how to accomplish this.
I need the device to operate in an ultra-low power mode where it is only listening for text messages and all sound is turned off. I don't know how long I will have to walk around with the bag before the thieves takes the bait, so I need the phone to conserve as much power as possible until the actual tracking operation begins.
Once the bag is in the thieves hands, I need to be able to control and activate the phone via text message. The phone must be in Silent Mode so that the thieves don't hear the incoming text messages. Additionally, I would not want the screen to light up or for any other message indicator to possibly shine through the bag's fabric and tip them off about the presence of the phone.
First, I will be using a "disposable" prepaid SIM card (lets call this the trackingSIM). I don't want to use my actual postpaid account with unlimited internet (lets call this mySIM). I need mySIM to communicate with the trackingSIM. So the problem is that the phone WON'T have unlimited internet access when it is stolen. I'll need to activate that remotely. Usually this is done by sending a specific text message to the Carrier with a code that activates unlimited internet for a period of time and deducts the cost from a balance on the SIM. But since I won't actually have the phone in my possession, I'll need some kind of program that allows me to remote control the phone and tell the phone to send a text message on its own. In summary, I need to send a text message from mySIM to the trackingSIM which will then trigger the trackingSIM to send another text message to a specific number. (like, if I send "SENDTXT 5551212 internets" from mySIM to trackingSIM, then the trackingSIM phone would resend a text message "internets" to the number 5551212)
Once internet is activated, the Carrier sends a text message response confirming that the phone now has unlimited internet access for a specified time period. It would be nice if the phone could forward that reply from trackingSIM to mySIM so that I know the task is complete.
Now that the phone has internet access, I need to actually turn on the 3G radio and the GPS antenna (which should have previously been off to conserve battery) also via text message. Something like "GPS ON" and "3G ON" from mySIM to the trackingSIM would be great. And if the phone could reply with a confirmation text, that would be even better.
The last step would be to activate the tracking software. I need some kind of tracking software that would also activate via text message, and provide a confirmation text if possible.
Once the tracking software is activated, I need the following features:
Realtime tracking via a website. If it can work well on a mobile website as well (like an iPhone's Safari or Chrome browser), even better
Complete tracking history. Even if the signal dies, I want to know their last known location. If they move during the night and I have to sleep, I don't want to lose any data because I was wasn't watching every single moment. I plan to take all this information to the local police, so I need as much data as possible.
Once I have located the thieves loation and brought the police in, I need to be able to find the phone and bag as quickly and easily as possible. I'd like to be able to bring the phone OUT of Silent Mode, again with a text message, and activate an alarm at the highest possible volume setting, again with a text message.
Optionally, once I have Internet access established on the phone, I could possibly accomplish some of these tasks through another form of remote access such as SSH.
Optionally, if I could also somehow initiate a telephone call with the phone once it has reached its "final" location, then I could use the phone as a microphone as well and potentially get more evidence regarding the thieves' names, intentions, or guilt. This would also need to occur in complete silence as I would not want the thieves to hear a ring or see any flashing lights or lit up screen. Somehow I would need the phone to automatically answer a phone call that met some predetermined signal.
Optionally, it would also be nice to be able to initiate a voice recording remotely for the same reasons as 6. A voice recording might be easier to initiate and would probably have better audio quality (but would only be useful after the phone was recovered, whereas 6. could aid in the actual recovery).

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Most of what you want can be accomplished very, very easy. If you can root the phone. You would be able to Install avast antivirus. Avast has an anti-theft feature that you can activate from a phone AND/OR the internet. You can lock the phone so no one else can use it, send a text or command from a computer to TRACK THE DEVICE. It will automatically turn on GPS and send location as often as you choose. Avast works on smart phones only. That is the downside. Avast does the alarm thing also. "THIS PHONE HAS BEEN LOST OR STOLEN" with a siren.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989

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Even better I could build an app for you to do that as avast won't be able to start 3g send message to carrier etc etc it'll need Internet access up and running before hand also no call records while a custom made app can do all of this
If you like the idea just drop me a pm
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Honestly, what do you need 3G for? It doesn't help track. GPS and Wi-Fi do that. Watch your cost. Avast has already been written. Call logs? What for. Check out the play store for an app called M-SPY. You text the phone and it will call you back. Avast does the rest.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989

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fathertomany said:
Honestly, what do you need 3G for? It doesn't help track. GPS and Wi-Fi do that. Watch your cost. Avast has already been written. Call logs? What for. Check out the play store for an app called M-SPY. You text the phone and it will call you back. Avast does the rest.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989
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I want to track the phone while it is on the move on the motorcycle in real-time. How could I do that with Wi-Fi? Additionally, free and open unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots are not available everywhere. There is no guarantee that the phone would be able to connect and send data once it reached its final destination wherever the thieves live/work. In fact, even with 3G there is no guarantee as there are always cellular dead spots.
Thanks for the recommendations.

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My point exactly. Avast uses available Wi-Fi along with GPS to track in real time, displayed on a map. I don't believe you can use 3g for that. Avast has the siren, tracking and other features. My-spy has the call feature. Avast will automatically turn on GPS for tracking if it is off. Turn on a siren when you choose, for recovery. Text is for if you want to use your cell. You can do everything from a computer. The thieves will not know, as all this will be hidden, unless you lock the phone. M-Spy can review the text and call you back so you can listen to the noise around the phone without the perps knowing. These two together fit what it sounds like you need. Avast is free for the FULL version, forever. I am not sure about the cost of M-SPY.
sent from my LiquidSmooth SPEED T989

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fathertomany said:
My point exactly. Avast uses available Wi-Fi along with GPS to track in real time, displayed on a map. I don't believe you can use 3g for that. Avast has the siren, tracking and other features. My-spy has the call feature. Avast will automatically turn on GPS for tracking if it is off. Turn on a siren when you choose, for recovery. Text is for if you want to use your cell. You can do everything from a computer. The thieves will not know, as all this will be hidden, unless you lock the phone. M-Spy can review the text and call you back so you can listen to the noise around the phone without the perps knowing. These two together fit what it sounds like you need. Avast is free for the FULL version, forever. I am not sure about the cost of M-SPY.
sent from my LiquidSmooth SPEED T989
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So if there is no Wi-Fi available then your solution won't work? That sounds far too risky for my plan to work. The country where I live does not have ubiquitous free Wi-Fi access, especially in the shadier parts of town where the thieves are likely to reside.

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ZippyDan said:
So if there is no Wi-Fi available then your solution won't work? That sounds far too risky for my plan to work. The country where I live does not have ubiquitous free Wi-Fi access, especially in the shadier parts of town where the thieves are likely to reside.
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You really don't want to rely on public wifi anyone can mess with them
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You do not use Wi-Fi for tracking, really. You use GPS and my recommended setup will work
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989

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I use avast, and I'm not sure if gps is all that's needed or not.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons

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Is your phone rooted with antitheft root installed? Avast uses GPS and Wi-Fi, if Wi-Fi is available, to track the phone. Research it.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989

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fathertomany said:
Is your phone rooted with antitheft root installed? Avast uses GPS and Wi-Fi, if Wi-Fi is available, to track the phone. Research it.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
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Lol.
I'm a little shocked at someone asking me if my phone is rooted, I'll admit I was literally speechless for a second haha.
What I meant was that I have it installed already but haven't checked out the tracking yet. I tried it once with the gps turned off at work, and wasn't sure how to turn the gps on to see the unit. Theoretically, gps is one way, isn't it? It grabs the satellite signal that's beamed down and triangulates the position. So it would need some sort of data to send that data back to the end user online. Given that wifi access points are not guaranteed among criminals, I'd cast my vote for finding some way to turn on mobile data from the app also.
Btw, he's using an HTC Inspire most likely running my Rom. Yes, I'm sure it's rooted.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons

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ClearD said:
Lol.
I'm a little shocked at someone asking me if my phone is rooted, I'll admit I was literally speechless for a second haha.
What I meant was that I have it installed already but haven't checked out the tracking yet. I tried it once with the gps turned off at work, and wasn't sure how to turn the gps on to see the unit. Theoretically, gps is one way, isn't it? It grabs the satellite signal that's beamed down and triangulates the position. So it would need some sort of data to send that data back to the end user online. Given that wifi access points are not guaranteed among criminals, I'd cast my vote for finding some way to turn on mobile data from the app also.
Btw, he's using an HTC Inspire most likely running my Rom. Yes, I'm sure it's rooted.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
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HAD to ask. rotflmao.:silly:
when you installed avast, did you install the antitheft feature ROOTED? IF SO, Access the app on your phone and view all of the settings for it.Also, go online to AVAST and login to your account. Avast will automatically turn on the GPS (NOT Wi-Fi??) on the target phone, SECRETLY. you can set it to report position at any interval. Avast has many more functions, also. maybe the one you mentioned.
AGAIN - LMAO HAHAHAHAHA.:cyclops:
P.S.
M-SPY does the phone listening feature.

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I tried it when I got it (yes root installed with anti theft in the system partition) but I couldn't get it to work the first time for some reason. I'll try again tomorrow night and see if it works now. It's been a few versions back.
If it does work as advertised, I'd count avast as one of the easiest and most cost effective options you can find.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons

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ClearD said:
I tried it when I got it (yes root installed with anti theft in the system partition) but I couldn't get it to work the first time for some reason. I'll try again tomorrow night and see if it works now. It's been a few versions back.
If it does work as advertised, I'd count avast as one of the easiest and most cost effective options you can find.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
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EXACTLY!! IT'S FREE.
Make sure you have setup ALL of the options. ANTI-THEFT and SETTINGS options. It is way easier to send commands from a computer but the "friends" numbers can send the text. on smart phones with a decent size screen, you can send the commands from the browser. one last thing- make sure avast has administrative rights. either in settings or anti-theft options.

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fathertomany said:
You do not use Wi-Fi for tracking, really. You use GPS and my recommended setup will work
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
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I'm not sure if you just don't understand how these things work ... the phone uses GPS to track itself: yes. But how to get the GPS data from the phone to me in a different location? The GPS data must be sent wirelessly from the phone.
This requires WiFi or a Cellular (4G, 3G, Edge, etc) connection.
I cannot track the phone with a GPS connection alone.
I can't rely on WiFi to be available wherever the thieves end up.

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ZippyDan said:
I'm not sure if you just don't understand how these things work ... the phone uses GPS to track itself: yes. But how to get the GPS data from the phone to me in a different location? The GPS data must be sent wirelessly from the phone.
This requires WiFi or a Cellular (4G, 3G, Edge, etc) connection.
I cannot track the phone with a GPS connection alone.
I can't rely on WiFi to be available wherever the thieves end up.
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I told you about the app but you weren't interested bad luck bro
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The regular data on the phone will work fine. No need for faster data transfer such as Wi-Fi or 3g. Remotely turning on and off the data can be googled. Maybe there is already a way to do that.
go to the google market and search for XTRASEC PHONE LOCATOR. Sounds exactly like what you want!!
Sorry if I come across rude but try the search function. Everything I have posted to you, I used GOOGLE to find.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH Speed T989

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just FYI followup to anyway looking to do the same...
Android Lost (androidlost.com) is an incredible tracking tool and completely free! (though I recommend supporting the developer by buying the "premium" version, all the "premium" features are also available for free)
Also, Avast! Anti-theft as recommended above is also great, and it does report over 3G or Edge or WiFi