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.