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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in San Francisco for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work van, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in San Francisco, from the Sunset to the Bayview. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: San Francisco police recorded just over 3,000 car thefts in 2025. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car live on your phone and alerts you the moment it moves, so you can tell police exactly where it is.
Choose your tracker
Two trackers, one app
One-time hardware price. Both show up on the same map.
ShadowAuto
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Plugs into the OBD-II port. Never needs charging.
- Car Alarm alerts you if it moves while parked.
- Engine codes and unplug alerts.
ShadowTrack
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Battery-powered. Runs for weeks on a charge.
- No OBD-II port needed: trailers, mowers, boats.
- Add the weatherproof magnetic case.
San Francisco theft data
Car theft in San Francisco by the numbers
About 3,000 thefts in 2025 is roughly 8 cars a day. Thefts fell sharply, but the SF-Oakland metro still had the top theft rate in NICB's 2025 data.
3,000+
car thefts reported in San Francisco in 2025 (SFPD)
22,197
stolen in the SF-Oakland-Fremont metro in 2025, 5th in the U.S. (NICB)
44%
fewer car thefts in San Francisco, 2025 vs 2024 (SFPD)
#1
most stolen in San Francisco: Honda Accord (SFPD)
- Hondas lead. SFPD data shows 174 Honda Accords and 126 Civics stolen in 2025. Hondas and Toyotas were taken more than any other brand.
- Highest metro rate. The SF-Oakland-Fremont metro had 477.51 thefts per 100,000 people in 2025, the top rate in NICB's metro data.
- A tracker is the backup. Lock it, take the keys, and use GPS so you know where it went. What to do if it's stolen.
Who it's for
Built for how San Francisco drives
Trades & delivery vans
See every van on one map, check stops against the schedule, and get an alert if one moves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near SFO & OAK
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around the airport lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on 19th Ave & 280
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, practice or home, and see each trip in the app.
Family guide →
How it works
Tracking in 3 easy steps
1
Plug it in
Plug ShadowAuto into the port under your dash. Every car and light truck since 1996 has one.
Is GPS tracking legal in San Francisco? Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the registered owner's consent. Using a tracker to follow a person without that consent is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code 637.7. Full California tracking law.
Pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
$69.90 per tracker, one time. Then a plan per tracker, per month. Cancel any time.
| Trackers | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $15/mo | $13/mo | $12/mo |
| 4+ (bulk order) | $13/mo | $11/mo | $10/mo |
Around town
Works across San Francisco
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
Ingleside & Excelsior
Ingleside station had the second most car thefts in 2025. Arm Car Alarm.
Mission District
Street parking overnight. Get an alert if the car moves.
SoMa
Garages and work vans. Check the last location when you're back.
Sunset District
Cars parked on the street for days. Check them from the app.
Bayview
Work trucks and yards. Geofence the lot after hours.
Fisherman's Wharf
Visitor lots. Check the car while you're out.
Reviews
What our customers say
Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 205 reviews of ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
★★★★★
Perfect for peace of mind
"I bought this for my teenage daughter who just started driving. Setup was literally plug and play, took 2 minutes. The app is super intuitive too."
Sarah M. · Parent · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Exactly what I needed for my fleet
"I run a small delivery business with 6 vans. Plugged it into each van, downloaded the app, and within minutes I could see all my vehicles on one dashboard."
Michael T. · Small business · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Small business must-have
"The magnetic mount lets me move it between vehicles easily, and the tracking is always accurate. A fantastic investment for any small business."
Robert C. · Small fleet · ShadowTrack
FAQ
Common questions
Is it hard to set up?
No. ShadowAuto plugs into the OBD-II port under your dash in under 2 minutes, with no tools or wiring. ShadowTrack sits in a magnetic case.
Is there a monthly fee?
Yes. Live tracking uses a cell connection, so plans run $10 to $15 per tracker per month. No contract. Cancel any time.
Does it need a SIM card?
No. The connection is built in and covered by your plan.
Is GPS tracking legal in San Francisco?
Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the registered owner's consent. San Francisco follows California law, and using a tracker to follow a person without that consent is a misdemeanor under Penal Code 637.7.
Does it work in SF garages?
Usually. Thick concrete garages can weaken GPS and cell signal, so the map may show the last location until the car is back on the street.
Can I check my car at SFO while I travel?
Yes. Open the app from your gate to see the car live, and set a geofence around the lot so you get an alert if it leaves.
What should I do if my car is stolen in San Francisco?
Call the San Francisco Police Department first and give them the live location from the app. Don't try to recover the car yourself.
How fast does it update?
Every 5 seconds while your car or truck is moving.
How do I order 4 or more trackers?
Bulk orders of 4 or more go through our team. Contact us and we'll set up the account and the 4+ rate.
More GPS tracking near San Francisco
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in San Francisco.
Ordering 4 or more for your San Francisco business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- SFist: SF car thefts down in 2025 (SFPD crime dashboard, 2025)
- SF Standard: San Francisco 2025 crime stats (SFPD figures by station)
- KRON4: most stolen car in San Francisco (SFPD data, 2025)
- NICB: U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline (2025 state and metro area totals)
Also referenced: California Penal Code 637.7 (see the California page). Pricing current as of October 2026, in USD, per tracker. Some retailer links are affiliate links. Legal information is general and not legal advice; consult a California attorney for your situation.