Support & Help Center
Property Miles
Mileage Tracker for Real Estate Professionals
📚 Frequently Asked Questions
How does automatic trip detection work?
Property Miles uses your device's GPS and motion sensors to automatically detect trips:
- Trip Start: When you exceed 10 mph and the app detects driving motion
- Trip End: After you've been stopped for 3 minutes
- Background Tracking: Works even when the app is closed or your phone is locked
This means you never have to remember to start or stop tracking - it just works automatically!
Why does the app need "Always Allow" location permission?
"Always Allow" permission is required for automatic trip detection. With this permission:
- The app can detect when you start driving without opening it
- Trips continue tracking even when your phone is locked
- You never miss a trip because you forgot to open the app
Privacy Note: All your location data stays on your device. We never send it to servers or share it with anyone. See our Privacy Policy for details.
How much battery does it use?
Property Miles is optimized for minimal battery impact:
- Uses Apple's automotive navigation mode (battery efficient)
- Only actively tracks when motion is detected
- Typical battery usage: 2-5% per day with normal driving
Tip: If you're not driving (e.g., on vacation), toggle off "Auto-Track Trips" in Settings to save battery.
Can I edit or delete trips?
Yes! You have full control over your trips:
- Edit: Tap any trip to add purpose, property, vehicle, or notes
- Delete: Swipe left on a trip and tap "Delete"
- Bulk Delete: Go to Settings and tap "Clear All Data" to start fresh
How do I export my mileage report?
Exporting is easy:
- Go to the Reports tab
- Select your date range (Month, Quarter, Year, or Custom)
- Tap "Export CSV"
- Choose how to share: email, AirDrop, save to Files, etc.
The CSV file includes all trip details formatted for tax filing and accountants.
What's the IRS mileage rate?
The app uses the current IRS standard mileage rate:
This rate is updated annually. We'll update the app when the IRS announces new rates.
Can I use this for non-real estate purposes?
Absolutely! While designed for real estate professionals, Property Miles works for anyone who needs mileage tracking:
- Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft)
- Delivery drivers
- Contractors and consultants
- Medical professionals making house calls
- Anyone with business driving expenses
Is my data private and secure?
Yes. Your privacy is our top priority:
- ✅ All data stays on YOUR device
- ✅ No data sent to servers
- ✅ No data sold or shared
- ✅ No analytics or tracking
- ✅ No account required
Read our full Privacy Policy for details.
How do I add a property or location?
To save locations for quick tagging:
- Go to the Locations tab
- Tap the + button
- Enter a nickname (e.g., "Office", "Staging Warehouse")
- Enter the address or use current location
- Save
Future trips near this location will automatically be tagged with the nickname!
Why didn't a trip get recorded?
If a trip wasn't recorded, check these common issues:
- Location Permission: Must be set to "Always Allow" in iOS Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Property Miles
- Auto-Track Disabled: Check that "Auto-Track Trips" is ON in the app's Settings tab
- Speed Too Low: Trip starts only when speed exceeds 10 mph. Very slow neighborhood driving might not trigger.
- Motion Not Detected: Takes a few hundred meters for motion sensors to detect you're in a vehicle
- Trip Still In Progress: Wait 3 minutes after stopping for the trip to save automatically
Tip: Look for the blue "Current Trip" banner at the top of the Trips tab to see if tracking is active.
🚀 Getting Started Guide
Step 1: Grant Location Permission
When you first open the app, you'll be asked for location permission. Make sure to select "Always Allow" for automatic tracking to work.
Already missed the prompt? Go to iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Property Miles → Select "Always"
Step 2: Enable Auto-Tracking
In the app's Settings tab, toggle on "Auto-Track Trips". A blue indicator will appear when tracking is active.
Step 3: Drive Normally
That's it! The app now works automatically:
- Start driving > 10 mph → Trip starts automatically
- Stop for 3 minutes → Trip saves automatically
- No need to open the app before each drive
Step 4: Review and Tag Trips
After trips are recorded:
- Open the Trips tab
- Tap a trip to add details:
- Purpose (showing, open house, etc.)
- Property/location
- Vehicle
- Notes
- Trips are saved automatically
Step 5: Export for Taxes
When you need your mileage report:
- Go to Reports tab
- Select date range
- Tap "Export CSV"
- Share with your accountant or save for records
📍 Location Nicknames
Save time by creating location nicknames for places you visit frequently:
How to Create Location Nicknames
- Go to Locations tab
- Tap + to add new
- Enter nickname (e.g., "Home", "Office", "Staging Warehouse")
- Enter address or use current location
How They Work
- When you start/end a trip near a saved location, it's automatically tagged
- Makes it easy to identify trips in your list
- Appears on maps and in reports
Pro Tip: Save your office, home, and frequent property locations for instant recognition in your trip list.
🚗 Vehicle Management
Track multiple vehicles and assign trips to specific vehicles:
Adding Vehicles
- Go to Settings → "Manage Vehicles"
- Tap + to add new vehicle
- Enter details:
- Nickname (e.g., "My Car", "Work Truck")
- Make, Model, Year
- License Plate
- VIN (optional)
Assigning Trips
- Tap any trip → "Vehicle" → Select vehicle
- Great for tracking per-vehicle mileage
- Useful if you have multiple business vehicles
📊 Understanding Reports
Report Filters
- This Month: Current calendar month
- This Quarter: Current quarter (Q1-Q4)
- This Year: Current calendar year
- Custom: Pick any date range
What's Included
- Total miles driven
- Total tax deduction amount ($0.67/mile)
- Breakdown by trip purpose
- Trip count
CSV Export Format
The exported CSV includes:
- Date and time
- From address → To address
- Distance (miles)
- Purpose
- Property/Location
- Vehicle
- Notes
- Calculated deduction
⚠️ Troubleshooting
Trips Not Detecting? Follow this checklist:
1. Check Location Permission
- Go to iOS Settings
- Tap Privacy & Security
- Tap Location Services
- Find Property Miles
- Ensure it's set to "Always" (not "While Using")
2. Check Auto-Tracking
- Open Property Miles app
- Go to Settings tab
- Ensure "Auto-Track Trips" toggle is ON (green)
3. Verify Speed Threshold
- Trips only start when speed exceeds 10 mph
- Very slow city driving might not trigger
- Try driving for a few blocks to build up speed
4. Wait for Stop Detection
- Trips don't save immediately when you stop
- App waits 3 minutes to ensure you're actually parked (not just at a red light)
- Check the Trips tab after 3+ minutes
5. Check Battery Settings
- Low Power Mode can limit background location
- Make sure Property Miles isn't in the Background App Refresh restricted list
Still having issues? Contact us at
support.propertymiles@gmail.com with:
- iOS version
- Device model
- Screenshot of Settings tab showing permission status
- Description of the issue
💡 Tips & Best Practices
📍
Save Key Locations
Add your office, home, and frequently visited properties for automatic tagging.
📝
Review Weekly
Set aside 5 minutes each week to review and tag trips while details are fresh.
📊
Export Monthly
Export reports monthly to stay organized for tax season.
🚗
Track Personal vs Business
Mark personal trips appropriately - only business miles are tax deductible.
🔋
Disable When Not Working
On vacation? Toggle off auto-tracking to save battery.
💾
Backup Your Data
Regularly export CSV files as backup before major iOS updates.
📧 Contact Support
We're here to help! Reach out for:
- Technical issues or bugs
- Feature requests
- Questions about how the app works
- Privacy or data concerns
- Billing questions (for future premium features)
🔗 Useful Links