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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 when the courier is assigned, through the pickup process, until the item reaches the recipient’s hands.

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

This article will help you understand:

  • How to access the instant courier tracking link via the dashboard and WhatsApp
  • The delivery statuses that appear during the tracking process
  • Courier information that needs to be verified
  • How to contact the courier if there are any issues
  • Steps to take if the courier is not moving

1. What Is Real-Time Instant Courier Tracking?

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

This feature is very useful for:

  • Knowing a more precise estimated time of arrival (ETA)
  • Ensuring the courier is already at the item 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 your instant order tracking link:

Through the Biteship Dashboard

  1. Log in to the Biteship Dashboard.

    general_home_1.png

  2. Click the Orders menu in 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 Tracking Link 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, a "Live Tracking" button will appear on your tracking page. You can click the "Check Live Tracking" button to see the courier’s position in real-time.

    tracking_page_with_live_tracking_1_arrow.png

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

    tracking_page_5.png

Through 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 for displaying 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 — The 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 — The name of the assigned courier driver.
  • courier.phone — The driver’s phone number for contact.
  • courier.driver_plate_number — The 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 — The shipment waybill number.
  • courier.history — An 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 as proof of delivery.

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 en route 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 application.

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 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 statuses above, some additional statuses may appear:

  • On Hold - Temporarily held: The courier cannot reach the recipient. The item is still with the courier. Contact the courier or recipient immediately 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 to verify the following data for security:

  • Driver’s Name: Ensure the courier’s name matches what is shown on the Order Details page in the dashboard.
  • Vehicle License Plate Number: Match the courier’s arriving 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 open WhatsApp directly to facilitate communication.

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

If you see the courier’s position on the map not moving for quite a while, don’t panic. Follow these steps:

  • Check Weather Conditions: Instant couriers often pull over briefly during heavy rain for item safety.
  • 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 for Smooth Instant Delivery

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

8. FAQ About Instant Courier Tracking

How do I track 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 Tracking Link row to open the tracking map.

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

This is usually caused by unstable GPS signals from the courier or internet network disruptions in the area. Wait a moment for the system to update 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 prepare 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 monitoring the tracking link regularly — either through the Biteship Dashboard or WhatsApp notifications — you can know the delivery progress in real-time without having to wonder when the item will arrive.

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

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