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SPECIFICTION
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Hauk

github.com

Free plan WebLinuxAndroidSelf-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.3 #7 of 29 in Family Locator Apps

What it is

Hauk is a free, open-source service for sharing a phone’s live location through a backend that users host themselves. With its Android app, a user can set how long to share, then send a link for others to follow the location on a map. Sharing ends when the set period expires or the user stops it, and anyone with the link can view the location while it is active. The app sends location data only to the Hauk server configured in its settings. Running it therefore requires a server with PHP and Memcached or Redis, including the corresponding PHP extensions. Deployment options include manual or scripted installation, an Arch Linux AUR package, and an official Docker image. The project supports end-to-end encryption, LDAP authentication, and Tasker share starts; the Android app also supports HTTP and SOCKS proxies. Hauk is licensed under Apache-2.0. Its public demo is limited to two-minute shares and is intended for demonstration. The project recommends HTTPS through a reverse proxy to protect data in transit.

Spec sheet

Product
Hauk is an open-source, self-hosted realtime location sharing service.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The project describes sharing location with friends and family, such as sending a link to someone you are meeting.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Integrations
The Android app supports HTTP and SOCKS proxies, and the backend supports LDAP authentication.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
The project recommends using a reverse proxy with TLS and exposing Hauk only over HTTPS because unencrypted traffic can expose location data in transit.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The repository owner identifies as Marius Lindvall and lists Norway as their location.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android availability
The companion app is available for Android; the listed F-Droid version 1.6.2 requires Android 7.0 or newer.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Authentication
The project supports password-protecting session creation and LDAP authentication.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backend requirement
Using the Android app requires installing the Hauk backend on a server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Backend requirements
The server needs PHP and Memcached or Redis, with the corresponding PHP extension installed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data destination
The app sends location data only to the Hauk backend server specified in the app.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Deployment options
The project documents manual or scripted installation, an Arch Linux AUR package, and an official Docker image.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution
The backend is available as an Arch Linux AUR package and as an official Docker image.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Encryption
The project supports end-to-end encryption, and its Docker guidance recommends exposing Hauk only through HTTPS because unencrypted traffic can reveal location data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
How it works
Users install the backend on a PHP-compatible web server and use the companion Android app to share location.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
How sharing works
A phone user can share their live location for a specified period and send a link that lets others follow them on a map.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Integration
Hauk supports starting shares via Tasker.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License and funding
The repository uses the Apache-2.0 license, and its maintainer describes Hauk as an ad-free project made without financial gain while accepting donations.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License and support
Hauk is distributed under the Apache-2.0 license, and the repository provides an issue tracker for project issues.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Link access
Anyone with a share link can see the location in real time while sharing is active.Read 4 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Live location
A share remains active until it expires or the user stops it.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable limit
The public demo server limits location shares to two minutes and is intended for demonstration.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sharing access
Anyone with the sharing link can see the shared location, and the default link uses eight randomly generated letters and numbers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage
Hauk keeps location data in Memcached in memory rather than saving it to disk; restarting Memcached removes the data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported Android version
The README lists Android 6 or later as the requirement for its companion app.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Third parties
The FAQ says location data is only visible to people given the sharing link and that the app connects only to the Hauk server specified by the user.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Hauk Free Self-hosted; requires a PHP web server and Memcached or Redis Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Hauk plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under Apache-2.0
  • Shares live location through a map link
  • Offers Docker and Arch Linux deployment options
  • Supports LDAP authentication and Tasker share starts

Limits

  • Requires a self-hosted PHP backend
  • Backend also needs Memcached or Redis
  • Anyone with the link can view active shares
  • Public demo limits shares to two minutes

Who it suits

Hauk suits people who want to share a live location with friends or family and can install and maintain a PHP-based backend. It is for Android users who are comfortable hosting the service themselves.

Verdict

Hauk gives Android users a self-hosted way to share live location without sending it to a third-party service. Its server requirements and link-based access are important to account for before using it.

Where Specifiction places it

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