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How to Track Instant Couriers in Real-Time

Biteship
Updated

Instant delivery services are the top choice for customers who want their items delivered within hours. Biteship supports real-time courier tracking specifically for instant services (such as Gosend and Grab Express), allowing you to monitor the courier’s position directly on the map — from the courier being assigned, the pickup process, until the item reaches the recipient’s hands.

This feature is very useful for knowing a more precise estimated time of arrival (ETA), ensuring the courier is already at the pickup location, and serving as a communication channel with the courier if there are address issues.

This article will help you understand:

  • How to access the instant courier tracking link via the dashboard and WhatsApp
  • Delivery statuses that appear during the tracking process
  • Courier information that needs to be verified
  • How to contact the courier if there are problems
  • Steps to take if the courier stops moving

1. What Is Real-Time Instant Courier Tracking?

Instant courier tracking is a GPS-based feature that shows the driver’s position directly on the map. Unlike regular delivery that only updates status at transit points, an instant courier can be monitored at every movement.

This feature is very useful for:

  • Knowing a more precise estimated time of arrival (ETA)
  • Ensuring the courier is already at the pickup location
  • Ensuring the safety of the item during transit
  • Communicating with the courier if there are address issues

2. How to Access the Courier Tracking Link

There are two ways to access the tracking link for your instant order:

Via Biteship Dashboard

  1. Log in to the Biteship Dashboard.

    general_home_1.png

  2. Click the Orders menu on the left navigation.

    shipping_home_3.png

  3. Find the order you want to track, then click the order number to open the Order Details page.
     

  4. In the courier information section, find the Link Tracking row. Click the "Click here" link to open the real-time tracking page in a new tab.

    order_detail_2.png
     

  5. If there is already a tracking link, "Live Tracking" will appear on your tracking page. You can click the "Check Live Tracking" button to see the courier’s real-time position.

    tracking_page_with_live_tracking_1_arrow.png

  6. The display will immediately direct you to the live tracking view of the courier you selected.

    tracking_page_5.png

Via API (GET Order)

If you integrate Biteship via API, instant courier tracking information can be retrieved directly from the GET Order endpoint response. This is useful to show delivery status in real-time on your own app or platform.

Endpoint:

GET https://api.biteship.com/v1/orders/{order_id}

Required headers:

Authorization: <api_key>
Content-Type: application/json

The following fields in the API response contain relevant information for instant courier tracking:

  • status — Current order status. For instant delivery, possible values include: confirmed, allocated, picking_up, picked, dropping_off, on_hold, delivered, courier_not_found, and cancelled.
  • courier.name — Name of the assigned courier driver.
  • courier.phone — Driver’s phone number for contact.
  • courier.driver_plate_number — Courier’s vehicle license plate number.
  • courier.link — URL of the real-time tracking page that can be shared with the recipient.
  • courier.tracking_id — Tracking ID from the courier provider.
  • courier.waybill_id — Delivery waybill number.
  • courier.history — Array of delivery status change history, each containing:
    • updated_at — Time the status was updated (ISO 8601 format).
    • status — Status at that point in time.
    • note — Additional notes from the courier.
    • proof_of_delivery_images — Delivery proof photos (available after delivered status).
    • proof_of_delivery_signature — Signature proof of handover.

Example snippet of API response relevant for tracking:

{
  "id": "order_id",
  "status": "picking_up",
  "courier": {
    "tracking_id": "TRK123456",
    "waybill_id": "GEK123456789",
    "company": "gosend",
    "type": "instant",
    "name": "Budi Santoso",
    "phone": "08123456789",
    "link": "https://track.biteship.com/...",
    "driver_plate_number": "B 1234 ABC",
    "history": [
      {
        "updated_at": "2026-05-28T10:00:00Z",
        "status": "confirmed",
        "note": "Searching for courier",
        "proof_of_delivery_images": null,
        "proof_of_delivery_signature": null
      },
      {
        "updated_at": "2026-05-28T10:05:00Z",
        "status": "allocated",
        "note": "Courier has been informed",
        "proof_of_delivery_images": null,
        "proof_of_delivery_signature": null
      },
      {
        "updated_at": "2026-05-28T10:08:00Z",
        "status": "picking_up",
        "note": "Courier heading to pickup location",
        "proof_of_delivery_images": null,
        "proof_of_delivery_signature": null
      }
    ]
  }
}

To get the courier’s real-time position on the map, use the value of courier.link from the response above and display it to your users. Poll the GET Order endpoint periodically (for example, every 10–15 seconds) to update the delivery status in your app.

3. Understanding Instant Delivery Statuses

During tracking, you will encounter the following statuses in order:

  • Confirmed - Searching for courier: The system is looking for the nearest driver to pick up your order.
  • Allocated - Courier has been informed: The courier has been assigned and is preparing to pick up your item.
  • Picking Up - Picking Up Item: The courier is driving to your item pickup point.
  • Picked - Item has been picked up: The courier has collected the item from the pickup location.
  • Dropping Off - Heading to Recipient Location: The courier is on the way to the delivery address.
  • Delivered - Successful: The item has been successfully handed over to the recipient.

Besides the above statuses, some additional statuses may appear:

  • On Hold - Temporarily Held: The courier cannot reach the recipient. The item is still with the courier. Immediately contact the courier or recipient to resolve this issue.
  • Courier Not Found - Courier not found: The system failed to find an available courier. Try recreating the order or contact Biteship support.

4. Courier Information That Must Be Verified

When tracking, make sure you verify the following data for security:

  • Driver Name: Ensure the courier’s name matches what is listed on the Order Details page in the dashboard.
  • Vehicle Plate Number: Match the courier’s vehicle plate number with the information shown on the dashboard.
  • Proof of Delivery Photos: After the item is delivered, proof of delivery photos can be viewed on the Order Details page.

5. Contacting the Courier

If you need to communicate with the courier, open Order Details in the dashboard and click the courier’s phone number listed. The number will directly open WhatsApp to facilitate communication.

6. What to Do If the Courier Stops Moving for a Long Time?

If you see the courier’s position on the map not moving for a long time, don’t panic. Here are the steps:

  • Check Weather Conditions: Instant couriers often pull over briefly if there is heavy rain for the safety of the items.
  • Contact the Courier: Open Order Details in the dashboard, then click the courier’s phone number to open WhatsApp.
  • Check for Traffic Jams: Sometimes the courier is stuck in traffic in an area not immediately visible on the map.
  • Contact Biteship Support: If the courier cannot be reached for a long time, immediately contact our team at support@biteship.com.

7. Tips to Ensure Smooth Instant Delivery

  • Enable Notifications: Make sure your phone is active so you know when the courier tries to contact you.
  • Ensure the Pin Location Is Accurate: Tracking accuracy depends heavily on the coordinates you enter when ordering.
  • Provide Additional Instructions: When the courier is nearby, you can send extra directions (such as fence color or building name) via WhatsApp.

8. FAQ About Instant Courier Tracking

How do I track the delivery in real-time?

Go to Dashboard → Orders, then click the order number to open Order Details. In the courier information section, click the "Click here" link in the Link Tracking row to open the tracking map.

Why does the courier’s position on the map sometimes jump?

This is usually caused by unstable GPS signals from the courier or internet network disruptions in that area. Wait a moment until the system updates the latest coordinates.

Can I share the tracking link with the recipient?

Yes. It is highly recommended to share the tracking link with the recipient so they can be prepared when the courier is approaching the location.

What if the tracking link cannot be opened?

Try refreshing your browser page or ensure you have a stable internet connection. If it still fails, contact Biteship support at support@biteship.com.

What should I do if the status "Courier not found" appears?

Try recreating the order. If the problem persists, contact Biteship support at support@biteship.com for further assistance.

9. Conclusion

Tracking instant couriers is very easy and provides peace of mind for both sender and recipient. By regularly monitoring the tracking link — either through the Biteship Dashboard or WhatsApp notifications — you can know the delivery progress in real-time without wondering when the item will arrive.

If you experience technical issues while tracking the courier’s position, please contact our support team at support@biteship.com.

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