Why does QuickBooks mobile "auto-tracking" stay on and keep tracking after I finish my trip?

The QuickBooks Online mobile app utilizes GPS technology to automatically detect and track your mileage as soon as you start driving, Gerard. Let me share details about how this feature works.

It automatically records the start and end points along with the total distance traveled, particularly when the app is open. You can read more details about this feature in these articles:

• Automatically track mileage in QuickBooks Online
• Set up vehicles and mileage tracking in QuickBooks Online to use with the mobile app

Although you can change the location settings to While Using the App or Only While Using options on your mobile phone, this prevents the app from tracking your mileage consistently. You can refer to these articles from Apple and Google's support sites on how to change the settings, depending on the type of device that you're using:

• Change app permissions on your Android phone 
• Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 

To ensure that non-business-related trips are not counted as business miles, you can categorize them as personal trips. This will prevent QBO from including them in your total mileage deduction. Here’s how:

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online in a web browser.
2. Go to the Expenses menu, then proceed to the Mileage tab.
3. Look for the personal trips under the Unreviewed tab.
4. Check the box before it, then click the Person icon beside Edit Purpose.
5. Choose Mark as personal.
6. Click Apply.

I’d like to provide you with this article for further assistance, which can be helpful when tracking trips in QBO: Fix mileage tracking issues in the QuickBooks Online mobile app.

Feel free to reach out to the Community if you have any more inquiries about using QuickBooks Online for bookkeeping and managing business trips. We are always here to offer quick and comprehensive support.

Hello,

So there is no way to track trip by trip?  I either turn it on, then it tracks every single time I drive, or it's off?  I can't only turn it on when I want to track a single trip?

Thanks

Hi,

So there is no way to track only single trips?  For example, only turn it on when I want to track one specific trip?  It either is turned on automatically whenever I drive, or it's completely off?

Thanks

Hi,

So there is no way to track trip by trip?  Like only one single trip?  I have to turn on "auto-tracking" and all my driving will be tracked, or it has to be completely off?

Thank you

Yes, you're right, Gerard. I'll chime in on this thread and provide more insights about tracking mileage in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

As my colleague, jenop2, provided, the app automatically logs the start and end points, as well as the total distance covered during each trip, specifically while the app is active and in use.

You can follow the recommended workarounds to change the location settings to While Using the App or Only While Using options to prevent it from tracking your mileage frequently. You can also categorize them into personal trips.

Alternatively, you'll want to manually add trips. Here's how:

1. Go to the Expense menu, then click Mileage.
2. Choose Add trip.
3. Enter the trip date, starting and ending locations, distance, and purpose.
4. Select the vehicle you used.
5. Click Save.

Moreover, we have ways to fix mileage tracking issues in the QuickBooks Online mobile app if you encounter them along the way.

I’m always ready to assist you if you have any other questions or concerns about managing business trips. Tag me in your reply, and I’ll sprint back into action.