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Version: Current

Android app

Fahrtenbuch for Android records your trips with GPS, can start automatically when your phone connects to your car via Bluetooth, and lets you assign each trip to a category. It works fully offline on the device or together with your own self-hosted Fahrtenbuch server.

This page describes app version 0.5.4 (version code 32). The app is in early development; see the changelog for what changed between versions.

What the app does​

  • Trip recording with GPS in a foreground service, started manually or automatically when a paired Bluetooth device (your car) connects.
  • Two modes: local mode keeps everything on the device; server mode syncs with your Fahrtenbuch server, offline-first with background sync.
  • Simple server pairing by scanning a QR code from the web dashboard, or by entering the server address manually. Sign-in with password, TOTP, passkey or a linked Google or Microsoft account.
  • Passkeys can be created and managed directly in the app.
  • Trip list and details with vector map (MapLibre + OpenFreeMap), timeline, distance, duration and average speed.
  • Categories (business, private, commute, uncategorized) plus optional special categories such as medical, volunteering, education, job application or moving.
  • Purpose, contact, note and tags editable per trip.
  • Multiple vehicles with a default vehicle, each with an optional Bluetooth device for auto-start.
  • Statistics and export to PDF or CSV.
  • Local times: trip times are always shown in the local time of the trip, including daylight saving time.
  • Backup to your Google account and as a ZIP file you can restore at any time.
  • Gravatar profile picture, if you have one.
  • Phones and tablets, light and dark theme, English and German interface.

Requirements​

Android10 (API 29) or newer
Server (optional)A Fahrtenbuch server – ideally the current version. Older servers keep working; newer features such as Google/Microsoft sign-in, passkeys in the app or the device trip ID (clientTripId) are then simply not available.

The server is not a hosted service: in server mode you connect the app to your own Fahrtenbuch installation. Without a server, use local mode.

Installation​

Google Play (open test)​

The app is distributed through an open test on Google Play. Anyone can join; you do not need to send your e-mail address.

  1. Open the test opt-in page on your Android phone and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Tap Become a tester.
  3. Install the app from the Play Store link shown on that page. Updates arrive through Google Play like for any other app.

You can leave the test at any time on the same opt-in page.

APK from GitHub​

Release builds are also attached to the GitHub releases of the app. Download the APK on your phone and allow installation from that source when Android asks.

note

The APK on GitHub and the Play Store version are signed with the same key. You can switch between them without uninstalling, as long as you do not go back to an older version.

Build it yourself​

The app is open source (GNU AGPL v3). See building from source.

Next steps​

More about the project, a live demo and the privacy policy: fahrtenbuch.app.