Can you track a VanMoof? Everything about GPS, tracking and location

Yes, a VanMoof can be tracked. Depending on the model, you can use Apple Find My, the VanMoof app, VanMoof Theft Tracking and additional tracking features through Ride Pro.

Exactly which options are available depends on the model. The VanMoof S6 in particular offers more advanced tracking features than previous generations. Below, we explain how VanMoof tracking works, how accurate it is and what to do if your bike is stolen.

How does tracking on a VanMoof work?

VanMoof doesn’t rely on a single technology to determine the location of a bike. Depending on the model and situation, several technologies can be used.

The main ones are:

• Mobile network/GSM triangulation to determine the approximate location of the bike.
• Bluetooth to help locate the bike more precisely at close range.
• Apple Find My to locate supported VanMoof models through Apple’s Find My network.
• VanMoof Theft Tracking to track a stolen bike through VanMoof.
• Precision Tracking with Ride Pro for more detailed location information on the VanMoof S6.

This is why the question “Does a VanMoof have GPS?” is actually a little too simple. A VanMoof can use a combination of technologies to determine and share its location.

Does a VanMoof have GPS?

VanMoof bikes contain built-in hardware that can be used to determine their location. On current models, this is done through technologies including mobile networks and location data. The VanMoof S6, VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5 also support Apple Find My.

The VanMoof S6 offers the most advanced tracking capabilities in the current VanMoof range. With Ride Pro, the VanMoof S6 can use Precision Tracking, allowing the bike to send location updates directly to the VanMoof app.

So you don’t need to install a separate GPS tracker on your VanMoof to use its built-in tracking features.

Which VanMoof models can you track?

Tracking capabilities vary between generations.

VanMoof S6

The VanMoof S6 currently offers VanMoof’s most extensive built-in tracking capabilities.

The bike supports features including:

• Apple Find My
• Bluetooth
• VanMoof Theft Tracking
• Location information in the VanMoof app
• Ride Pro
• Precision Tracking
• Bluetooth proximity detection
• Alarm notifications with Ride Pro
• Location history during theft with Ride Pro

With Precision Tracking, the VanMoof S6 can send location updates when the locked bike is moved, when an alarm or warning is triggered, or when the bike’s status changes, for example when it is locked, unlocked or connected to a charger.

VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5

The VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5 also feature built-in tracking hardware and support Apple Find My.

When a VanMoof S5 or VanMoof A5 is reported stolen, the bike can send location data to VanMoof. This location data can then be accessed through My VanMoof.

VanMoof has also been working on additional Ride Pro functionality for these models.

VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3

Older VanMoof models also offer tracking features, but there are important differences.

Apple Find My was added to VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3 models produced from April 2021 onwards. Earlier bikes do not have the necessary Find My hardware.

Changes to 2G mobile networks have also affected the original tracking capabilities of older VanMoof models. The available features therefore depend on the model, production date and, in some cases, whether a Ride Pro subscription had previously been activated.

Can you always see a VanMoof on the map?

Not necessarily. There is an important difference between locating your bike during normal use and actively tracking a stolen VanMoof.

During normal use, VanMoof Theft Tracking is not continuously active. One of the reasons for this is privacy. Standard theft tracking is activated when you report the bike as stolen.

Apple Find My works differently. If your VanMoof is connected to Apple Find My, you can use it to check where your parked bike was last detected.

For the VanMoof S6, there is now another option: Precision Tracking with Ride Pro. This allows the bike to send location updates when certain events occur, even before an active theft case has been started.

How does Apple Find My work on a VanMoof?

Supported VanMoof models can be added to the Apple Find My app. Your VanMoof then appears alongside your other devices and items in Apple’s Find My network.

This can be useful when you:

• can’t remember exactly where you parked your VanMoof;
• want to check where the bike was last detected;
• want to check the first available location after discovering that your bike is missing.

Apple Find My is supported by the VanMoof S5, VanMoof A5 and VanMoof S6. On the VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3, Find My is only available on bikes produced from April 2021 onwards.

One important detail: Apple Find My and VanMoof Theft Tracking cannot be active at the same time.

If your bike is stolen, it therefore makes sense to first check the last known location in Apple Find My. After that, you can report the bike as stolen in the VanMoof app and activate VanMoof Theft Tracking.

What is the difference between Apple Find My and VanMoof tracking?

Although both systems can help determine the location of your bike, they work differently.

Apple Find My uses Apple’s Find My network. Nearby Apple devices can help relay the location of your VanMoof.

VanMoof Theft Tracking uses the bike’s built-in connectivity and is specifically designed to help locate a stolen VanMoof.

Ride Pro adds further tracking functionality to VanMoof’s own system. Exactly which features are available depends on the model.

The systems can therefore complement each other, but Apple Find My and active VanMoof Theft Tracking cannot be used at the same time.

How does Precision Tracking work on the VanMoof S6?

Precision Tracking is a newer tracking feature for the VanMoof S6 and is part of Ride Pro.

When Precision Tracking is active, the bike can send location updates directly to the VanMoof app. An update can be triggered when:

• your locked VanMoof S6 is moved;
• a warning is triggered;
• the alarm goes off;
• the bike is locked or unlocked;
• the bike is connected to the charger.

This means you don’t necessarily have to wait until you notice that your bike has disappeared before recent location information becomes available.

Precision Tracking is currently available for the VanMoof S6 series and requires an active Ride Pro subscription.

How accurately can you track a VanMoof?

Accuracy depends heavily on the model, surroundings and tracking method being used.

On older systems, mobile network triangulation can indicate a relatively large area. That may be enough to show approximately which street or neighbourhood a bike is in, but not always enough to identify the exact building.

The VanMoof S6 can be significantly more accurate. According to VanMoof, under favourable conditions in urban areas, the location can be accurate to within less than five metres. In practice, the deviation can also be around 50 metres, and it may be greater in rural areas.

Once you are close to a VanMoof S6, Ride Pro can also use Bluetooth to help determine the distance to the bike more precisely.

So it’s better not to think in terms of one fixed “GPS accuracy”. VanMoof can use different technologies as you get closer to the bike.

Can you track a VanMoof inside a building?

It can be more difficult.

Mobile signals can be weakened by thick walls, concrete and underground parking garages. If a stolen VanMoof is inside a basement or parking garage, the bike may temporarily be unable to send a new location update.

The last known location can still be valuable.

As soon as the bike is moved to a location with sufficient network coverage, tracking may be able to provide new location data.

On a VanMoof S6 with Ride Pro, Bluetooth proximity detection can also help once you are close enough to the bike.

What should you do if your VanMoof is stolen?

If your VanMoof has disappeared, it’s important to use the available tracking options in the right order:

1. Check Apple Find My first if it is activated on your VanMoof.
2. Save the last known location or take a screenshot.
3. Open the VanMoof app.
4. Select your bike and open Theft Tracking.
5. Report your VanMoof as stolen and activate the available tracking features.
6. Use Ride Pro if available for your model to view additional location information.
7. Report the theft to the police and share relevant location information.

Don’t try to recover a stolen bike yourself if doing so could lead to an unsafe or confrontational situation. Location data can instead be useful information to share with the police.

What happens when you report a VanMoof as stolen?

Once you report the bike as stolen, theft tracking is activated. When the bike is able to connect to a mobile network, location data can be sent to VanMoof.

What you can then see depends on the model.

On the VanMoof S6, location information can be viewed directly in the VanMoof app. Ride Pro provides additional functionality, including more precise tracking and location history.

On the VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5, location data can be viewed through My VanMoof after a theft report.

Different conditions apply to older models, and it may take longer before the first location becomes available.

What is VanMoof Ride Pro?

Ride Pro is a paid subscription that adds additional smart functionality to supported VanMoof bikes.

For tracking, the most relevant features can include:

• more detailed location information;
• location information in the VanMoof app;
• Bluetooth proximity detection;
• alerts for suspicious activity;
• location history;
• additional tools for locating a stolen bike.

The available Ride Pro features vary by VanMoof model.

On the VanMoof S6, Ride Pro is particularly relevant because of Precision Tracking. This turns tracking into more than something you only use after your bike has been stolen. It also becomes an additional security layer that can help you notice unusual activity sooner.

Do you need Ride Pro to track a VanMoof?

Not always.

A VanMoof S6 without Ride Pro can show the last known connected location in the VanMoof app after a theft report. Ride Pro adds more extensive and up-to-date tracking functionality.

A VanMoof S5 or VanMoof A5 can be tracked through My VanMoof after being reported stolen. The availability of expanded Ride Pro tracking for these models depends on VanMoof’s current rollout.

Different conditions apply to the VanMoof S3, VanMoof X3 and older models, partly because of the phase-out of 2G networks.

Apple Find My is separate from a Ride Pro subscription.

Can you track a VanMoof without a subscription?

Yes, depending on the model.

Apple Find My does not require a Ride Pro subscription. VanMoof also provides certain basic theft tracking features on newer models without Ride Pro.

A subscription becomes more relevant if you want additional functionality such as more recent location updates, location history, alarm notifications and Bluetooth proximity detection.

With older VanMoof models, it is always worth checking which features are still supported for your specific bike.

Can a thief disable the GPS on a VanMoof?

The tracking hardware is integrated into the bike. It is not the same as a separate GPS tracker that can simply be removed from the frame.

That doesn’t mean tracking is guaranteed to work under every circumstance. Sending location data requires connectivity and sufficient battery power. A location without adequate mobile network coverage can also temporarily prevent new location information from being sent.

Tracking is therefore an important extra layer of security, but it cannot guarantee that every stolen bike can be located precisely at every moment.

Does VanMoof tracking work when the battery is empty?

The built-in tracking systems require power. Once the bike no longer has enough energy to power its electronics and connectivity, it will eventually no longer be able to send new location updates.

The last received location can still be valuable information.

That is another reason not to wait unnecessarily long before activating tracking after a theft.

VanMoof tracking by model at a glance

VanMoof S6

• Apple Find My
• VanMoof Theft Tracking
• Location in the VanMoof app
• Bluetooth
• Ride Pro
• Precision Tracking
• Additional location and alarm features

VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5

• Apple Find My
• VanMoof Theft Tracking
• Bluetooth
• Location via My VanMoof after a theft report
• Expansion of Ride Pro functionality

VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3

• Tracking capabilities depend on subscription and support
• Apple Find My on models produced from April 2021 onwards
• Limitations due to changes to 2G mobile networks

So, can you track a VanMoof effectively?

Yes. Tracking is an important part of VanMoof’s wider security system. The VanMoof S6 in particular offers extensive functionality: alongside Apple Find My and Theft Tracking, Ride Pro adds Precision Tracking and Bluetooth proximity detection.

It is important, however, to distinguish between the different systems. Apple Find My can help you locate your bike or check its last known position. VanMoof Theft Tracking is used after a bike has been reported stolen. Ride Pro adds more extensive and, depending on the model, more current tracking functionality.

Tracking is therefore one part of the overall security of a VanMoof. It works alongside features such as the Kick Lock, alarm and electronic security.

Want to know how these features work together to protect your bike? Read our complete guide to VanMoof security and theft protection, or explore the VanMoof range at RIDERS HUB.