GPS mileage tracking through the mobile app is on hold

Conor Pendergrast

Expensify has offered the ability to record GPS mileage tracking in the Expensify Android and iOS apps since 2012. In that time, we’ve made improvements, including recent major investments that entirely overhauled our GPS tracking.

However, we’ve learned that most customers prefer to track their mileage after their trips (thus not needing to hit that start button!). In addition, there are unavoidable technical limitations to GPS tracking and to our integration with Google Maps, which means that the longest trips will be the least accurate.

As a result, we’re putting development of GPS mileage tracking through Expensify’s mobile apps on hold. That means that we’re not likely to improve or fix issues with that method of mileage tracking in the near future.

If you rely on mileage tracking for longer distances, we recommend you create your mileage expenses via the Google Maps integration in the web app (Expenses > New Expense > Create from Map), and for customers based in the UK to use our partner Tripcatcher.

If we’re able to find options that make GPS tracking through our mobile app more reliable, we’ll update this post.

GCPJ

This is disappointing to hear. This was one of the main reasons we went with Expensify in the first place.

Conor Pendergrast

@GCPJ Yep, we're definitely disappointed too - we've tried hard to get it right, and so far haven't been able to!

As I mentioned, we'll post again if we're able to find other options here.

jbjohn942

Please add "Create from map" feature to mobile. Also, it would be nice if instead of having to know the address, you could enter the business name to add waypoints. Keep up the great work!

Maddy Lewis

@jbjohn942 - That's a great suggestion! We'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your insight.

Julia

I agree that this is disappointing to hear. This is also the main reason our Chief Technology Officer opted for Expensify instead of it's competitors.

Expensify, can you please work on an integration with MileIQ? I feel like this is a MUST. If you can't continue to make developments and support the GPS function, you could at least give us options outside of the archaic option of creating from a map.

Jake

I agree, it will be annoying to lose this functionality, especially in times of COVID when more of our employees are using their personal vehicles for work due to either working remotely and needing to travel to a project site or maintaining distancing (i.e., multiple personnel taking separate cars to a work location rather than a corporate vehicle).

Nicole Trepanier

Hi @Jake We aren't losing the functionality but we are not developing it further at this time.

Jake

I understand, @Nicole Trepanier, and I mis-stated that. Knowing you won't work to fully develop this by improving it is what I was referring to, however, and it seems like other commenters here agree that this is not beneficial, as they also have expressed disappointment. Thanks for your response.

Nicole Trepanier

@Jake Thanks for clarifying.

Ovillanueva

I agree with jbjohn942 and would love to see the Create from Map mileage tracking option available on the mobile app. I think this is one of the best mileage tracking options and it would be a lot more convenient if it was offered in the mobile app as well.

Kirk Barrett

Thanks for the suggestion! I will share this with the team for consideration in future updates to the ap. Have a great day!

Svillanueva

It would be great to have the "Create From Map" mileage tracking option on the mobile app. This is my favorite way to track how many miles I need to submit for reimbursement but prefer to enter it right after I'm done with a trip which would make it much more convenient if it was available on the mobile app, thanks!

Matt Moore

Thanks for posting your feedback @Svillanueva!

rgreggs

If the GPS tracking is not an option, MileIQ integration should be pursued. I use MileIQ today and have to manually interpret things over into the post trip map system in Expensify.

Point to point using the map does not always accurately reflect the path I took to a location given road construction, speedier routes for deadlines, etc. MileIQ does this well and works seamlessly with other expense management platforms like Concur.

Monk

As long as you continue to have this option available it will continue to be used. As such, it seems only fair to clarify specifically the limitations of the option so that users and approvers can make decisions regarding when to use it, approve, or require further investigation. For what purposes to is work or is it accurate, and when is it not?