Your Fi tracker can obtain your pet's location from four different connection sources (three for Fi Mini and Series 1). It's important that your pet's Fi tracker can access the proper connection state to receive accurate data.
Hierarchy of Connection Sources
Your pet's Fi tracker is smart; it will always prefer the connection source that consumes the least amount of power in this order:
- Fi Base (For Series 2, 3, and 3+ trackers)
- Fi App
- Wi-Fi
- GPS/Cellular
- Satellite (Fi Ultra only)
If your pet's tracker is connected to a more power-intensive mode and it comes within range of a connection source that consumes less power, it will automatically switch.
For example, a Fi tracker that's reporting its location via cellular connection and comes into range of an owner with the Fi App on their smartphone will automatically connect to the Fi App and turn off the GPS/Cellular chips.
A Fi tracker will never disconnect from a low-power source for another unless the first source is no longer available.
For example, if two owners are next to one another and your pet's tracker is connected to one owner, your Fi tracker will remain connected to that owner until they are out of range.
Recommended Connection Sources For Different Locations
| Your Pet's Location & Tracker Type | What Is the Best Connection Source? | What are the benefits? |
Indoors (Series 2, 3, and 3+) |
Fi Base |
If your pet is indoors and has a Fi Series tracker, the best connection source is the Fi Base. The Base will provide the most accurate tracking and best overall battery performance. |
| Indoors (Fi Mini and Fi Ultra) | Wi-Fi |
Your pet's tracker should have access to the Wi-Fi network whenever possible. This will ensure accurate location reports and avoid powering on the GPS/Cellular chips unnecessarily. Please note that Series 1 trackers do not have Wi-Fi. |
| Outdoors, on a walk (All Fi trackers) | Fi App |
Essential for proper walk tracking and overall performance. |
|
Outdoors, away from an owner (All Fi trackers) |
GPS/Cellular | With a Fi Membership, if your pet is outdoors and away from any caretaker, your Fi tracker will power on its GPS/Cellular chips and provide their remote location. |
| Outdoors, away from an owner, in an area without cellular coverage (Fi Ultra) | Satellite | When a Fi Ultra is away from its owner and outside standard cellular coverage, it connects through satellite to report location. This keeps you connected in remote areas where cellular connection is not available. |