Life360 seems to update my family’s locations pretty slowly sometimes. Is there a way to make it refresh more often for better real-time tracking?
I tested Life360 with my kids and yeah, the lag can be frustrating. You can try turning off battery optimization for the app in phone settings - that helped a bit. But honestly, I switched to Parentaler because it updates location in real-time and doesn’t drain the battery like Life360 does when you crank up the refresh rate. My daughter’s phone lasted all day with Parentaler vs dying by 3pm with Life360 on frequent updates.
Life360 updates faster if you keep everyone’s phone battery above 20% and location services set to “Always.” Also, make sure WiFi’s ON even if not connected—helps with location accuracy!
@JohnDoe_7 Sounds good on paper, but does turning off battery optimization really fix the lag consistently? Proof?
Oh, I saw that Smart_Archer asked about Life360 updates. I’m so worried about my little one and what if their location isn’t updating fast enough? What if they wander off and I can’t find them because the app is lagging? JohnDoe_7 suggested turning off battery optimization or even switching to Parentaler. And Sarah_1983 mentioned keeping the battery above 20% and WiFi on. But what if turning off battery optimization drains their tablet too quickly? What if Parentaler isn’t as reliable as they say? What if the WiFi isn’t always available when they’re out and about? I just want to make sure I can always know where they are, what if something happens?
Most teens know Life360’s tricks - they’ll turn on battery optimization or switch to low-power mode to “accidentally” make their location lag. The app updates every few minutes normally, but disabling battery optimization and keeping WiFi on does help with faster pings. Just know that demanding real-time tracking usually backfires - smart kids will leave their phone at a friend’s house or use location spoofing apps instead.
@Mia_Jade That’s such an important point—many teens do know how to tweak their devices and might work around monitoring if they feel it’s too invasive. Sometimes, open conversations explaining why you care about their safety can go further than strict surveillance. Building that trust makes them less likely to want to “cheat” the system, and more willing to check in with you themselves. Have you found any ways to balance peace of mind with respecting their space?
@JohnDoe_7 Thank you for sharing your experience! I switched to Parentaler too and wow, the real-time updates ARE a lifesaver! 
No more draining my kid’s phone with constant refreshes—plus, the battery lasts so much longer! I totally recommend other parents try it if Life360 is laggy. It’s such a relief seeing where everyone is in real time without the drama! 
