Why MoboKey Keyless Car Rental Doesn’t Use GPS—and Why That’s Better

Most digital keyless rental car key systems on the market today include onboard GPS trackers to locate vehicles and log trips. But at MoboKey, we’ve taken a smarter and more efficient route: we use the GPS data from the renter’s smartphone instead of adding GPS hardware to the car. Why? Because it’s cost-effective, private, and just as reliable. Let’s break it down.

1. No Expensive GPS Hardware Required

Installing a GPS tracker in every vehicle means additional costs—not just for the device itself but also for the SIM cards, data plans, and installation. MoboKey eliminates that need entirely.

Instead of installing GPS modules:

  • We use the built-in location services of the user’s smartphone

  • Access logs and location data are recorded when the vehicle is locked or unlocked via the app

  • This drastically reduces hardware and maintenance costs

2. Reliable Tracking from the User’s Phone

Modern smartphones offer accurate GPS and location tracking, often even more precise than cheaper third-party GPS modules. When someone accesses a MoboKey-enabled car:

  • Their phone’s location is automatically logged

  • This log is linked to their profile for security and monitoring

  • You get a timestamp and location of each access event—perfect for car rentals and sharing

This method ensures that trip records remain accurate without needing constant vehicle-based GPS updates.

3. Enhanced Privacy for Your Customers

In an era where privacy matters more than ever, renters and car users often hesitate when they hear “GPS tracking.” They don’t want to feel monitored during every mile they drive.

With MoboKey keyless car rental:

  • You’re not tracking the car, you’re recording essential data from the user’s own phone

  • This gives you just enough information to verify rentals, resolve disputes, and ensure accountability—without overstepping

4. No Network Dependency or Signal Issues

GPS trackers that rely on GSM networks can suffer from:

  • Poor signal in underground garages or rural areas

  • Outages if the SIM card fails or data runs out

  • Higher battery drain on the car’s electrical system

MoboKey avoids all of this by leveraging Bluetooth for access control and the smartphone’s GPS for location—not the vehicle’s.

Even if the user is offline, MoboKey allows car access via Bluetooth, and the phone will sync access logs once it’s back online.

5. Perfect for Turo Hosts, Car Rentals & Fleets

For car sharing services, remote rentals, or peer-to-peer platforms like Turo and Getaround, knowing when and where a car was accessed is more important than constant live tracking.

With MoboKey:

  • You get start and end point validation

  • You reduce costs

  • Your renters enjoy a privacy-conscious experience

Conclusion: Less Hardware, More Intelligence

MoboKey’s smartphone-based location tracking is smarter, simpler, and more secure. It gives rental companies, Turo hosts, and fleet operators everything they need to validate rentals, log activity, and ensure car access is controlled—without requiring bulky GPS setups.

Want to switch to keyless rental car?
Talk to us about setting up your fleet with MoboKey today.

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MoboKey apps are available on App Store and Play Store.