Swif’s Real-Time Location feature allows admins to track the live location of devices, providing a street address and a live map for easy monitoring. This functionality helps organizations maintain visibility over their devices, enhancing security and operational control. Below, we explain how the feature works, as well as its capabilities and some limitations.
To set up Geofence, please visit - How to Set Up and Manage Geofence Alerts in Swif.
How Location Tracking Works in Swif
Swif provides two types of location tracking for devices:
IP-Based Location:
Uses the device’s IP address to determine its location.
Limitation: If a VPN is active, the location shown will reflect the VPN’s server, which may not be the actual device location.
BSSID-Based Location:
Utilizes Wi-Fi network information (BSSID) to provide an average location based on surrounding Wi-Fi networks.
Advantage: More accurate than IP-based location in many cases, as it reflects the device’s actual geographic area.
Both location types are displayed in the Device Details > Location section and are accompanied by a map pinpointing the street address.
Features of Real-Time Location Tracking
Street Address Display:
Each tracked location includes the corresponding street address, giving you a clear, easy-to-understand location.
Live Map Integration:
The device’s location is displayed on a map in real-time, allowing admins to visualize where the device is located.
Fallback Between Location Types:
If the IP-based location is inaccurate due to VPN interference, the BSSID-based location provides a fallback to improve accuracy.
Steps to View Real-Time Location in Swif
Log in to the Swif Admin Dashboard:
Go to the Device Details section for the specific device you want to track.
Locate the Device’s Information:
Navigate to the Location tab under Device Details.
View the street address and map showing the real-time location.
View the Location Tracking tab:
Check whether the location is based on IP or BSSID to understand its accuracy.
Limitations and Considerations
MacOS Restriction:
macOS devices only support one MDM profile at a time. If you're already using Swif for device management, additional location-tracking software like DriveStrike cannot be installed simultaneously.
VPN Impact:
If a VPN is active, the IP-based location will reflect the VPN server location instead of the actual device location. In this case, rely on the BSSID-based location for better accuracy.
Suggested Workaround for Improved Accuracy
If you’re experiencing issues with location accuracy due to VPN or network limitations, here’s how to ensure optimal performance:
Ensure that BSSID-based location tracking is enabled for devices, as it provides better real-time accuracy in many scenarios.
Limit VPN usage for devices that require precise location tracking.
Conclusion
Swif’s Real-Time Location feature is designed to help admins maintain visibility over their devices with live tracking on a map and street address details. By leveraging both IP and BSSID-based tracking, Swif provides flexible and reliable location monitoring. For further assistance or questions, please reach out to Swif Support at support@swif.ai.