📍 xsukax Live Location Tracker

A lightweight, privacy-focused, self-hosted live location tracking application that enables secure real-time location sharing without requiring user accounts, external dependencies, or third-party services.

Github Repo: https://github.com/xsukax/xsukax-Live-Location-Tracker

🔒 Security & Privacy Benefits

Complete Data Sovereignty

• Self-Hosted Architecture: All location data remains on your server with zero reliance on external tracking services
• No User Accounts Required: Eliminates password vulnerabilities and personal data collection
• Anonymous Tracking Sessions: Each session generates unique anonymous IDs without storing personal information
• Automatic Data Expiration: Location data can be configured for automatic cleanup after journey completion
• No Cookies or Persistent Storage: Uses only session-based temporary identifiers
• Encrypted Transit: Supports HTTPS deployment for end-to-end encryption of location data

Privacy by Design

• Minimal Data Collection: Only stores essential location coordinates and timestamps
• No Analytics or Telemetry: Zero tracking scripts, analytics, or third-party monitoring
• Ephemeral URLs: Share links are randomized and can be invalidated at any time
• User-Controlled Tracking: Complete control over when tracking starts, stops, and who receives access
• Client-Side Processing: Map rendering and UI interactions happen locally in the browser

✨ Features & Advantages

Core Functionality

• 🌍 Real-Time Location Updates: Live GPS tracking with configurable update intervals (1-60 seconds)
• 🔗 Instant Share Links: Generate unique URLs for selective location sharing
• 📱 Mobile-First Design: Responsive GitHub-inspired interface optimized for all devices
• 🎬 Journey Replay: Complete route playback with variable speed controls after tracking ends
• 🗺️ Interactive Maps: OpenStreetMap integration with route visualization
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Adjustable tracking intervals to balance accuracy and power consumption
• 📊 Live Statistics: Real-time display of coordinates, duration, and last update timestamps
• ⛶ Fullscreen Mode: Immersive map viewing experience
• 💤 Screen Wake Lock: Prevents device sleep during active tracking sessions

Technical Advantages

• Single-File Deployment: Entire application in one PHP file for simple installation
• No Database Required: Uses lightweight file-based storage
• Zero npm/Composer Dependencies: No complex build processes or package management
• Automatic Heartbeat Monitoring: Detects disconnected sessions and auto-stops tracking
• Beacon API Integration: Ensures tracking stops even on abrupt browser closure
• Progressive Web App Ready: Can be saved to home screen on mobile devices

📋 System Requirements

• PHP 7.4 or higher
• Web server (Apache/Nginx) with PHP support
• Write permissions for the application directory
• HTTPS recommended for production deployment

🚀 Installation Instructions

Quick Deploy (Single Command)

# Download and set permissions
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xsukax/xsukax-Live-Location-Tracker/main/index.php
chmod 755 .

Manual Installation

1. Download the Application

   git clone https://github.com/xsukax/xsukax-Live-Location-Tracker.git
   cd xsukax-Live-Location-Tracker

2. Set Directory Permissions

   chmod 755 /path/to/application/directory

3. Configure Web Server

   Apache Configuration:

   <Directory /path/to/application>
       Options -Indexes +FollowSymLinks
       AllowOverride All
       Require all granted
   </Directory>

   Nginx Configuration:

   location /tracker {
       alias /path/to/application;
       index index.php;
       try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string;
   }

4. Enable HTTPS (Recommended)

   # Using Let's Encrypt
   certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com
   # or
   certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com

📱 Usage Guide

Starting Location Tracking

1. Initialize Tracking

   • Navigate to https://yourdomain.com/index.php
   • Select update interval (3s for high accuracy, 30s for battery saving)
   • Click “📍 Track My Location”
   • Allow location permissions when prompted

2. Share Your Location

   • Copy the generated share URL from the interface
   • Send link to trusted contacts
   • Recipients can view live location without any login

3. Manage Active Session

   • Adjust update interval dynamically during tracking
   • Monitor journey statistics in real-time
   • Stop tracking manually or let auto-stop handle disconnections

Journey Replay System

After tracking ends, both tracker and viewers can:

• Play/pause route animation
• Adjust playback speed (0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x)
• Seek to specific points via progress bar
• View complete route overlay on map

🔧 Configuration Options

Adjust Heartbeat Timeout

define('HEARTBEAT_TIMEOUT', 30); // Seconds before auto-stop

Configure Data Retention

define('MAX_POINTS', 5000); // Maximum route points stored

Set Default Update Interval

<input type="number" id="initialUpdateInterval" value="5">

🛡️ Security Best Practices

1. Deploy Over HTTPS: Essential for protecting location data in transit
2. Restrict Directory Listing: Ensure web server configuration prevents file enumeration
3. Regular Cleanup: Implement cron job to remove old tracking files

   # Cleanup files older than 7 days
   0 2 * * * find /path/to/app -name "*.json" -mtime +7 -delete

4. Access Control: Consider implementing IP whitelisting or basic authentication for additional security
5. Monitor Usage: Review server logs for suspicious activity patterns

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit pull requests, report bugs, or suggest features through the GitHub Issues page.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

💡 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Location Permission Denied

• Ensure browser has location access enabled
• Check HTTPS is properly configured
• Verify device GPS is activated

Write Permission Error

# Fix permissions
chmod 755 /path/to/application
chown www-data:www-data /path/to/application

Tracking Auto-Stops

• Check heartbeat timeout configuration
• Ensure stable internet connection
• Verify browser tab remains active

🙏 Acknowledgments

• OpenStreetMap contributors for map data
• Leaflet.js for mapping library
• GitHub Design System for UI inspiration

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Made with ❤️ by xsukax

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