Tracking automation in AutoDS: setup, methods, and troubleshooting

Introduction

Keeping customers informed with accurate, real-time tracking information is essential for building trust and improving the shopping experience. However, not all suppliers fully support automated tracking updates.

This guide explains how to set up tracking updates in AutoDS — either by automating them when possible or by handling them manually when automation isn’t available. After following this guide, you will be able to:

Automate tracking whenever possible.
Efficiently handle manual updates when needed.

👉 Learn More: AutoDS Tracking Conversion: Compare and select the best option

Benefits

Productivity: Streamlines tracking number updates for supported suppliers, reducing manual work.
Transparency: Provides accurate tracking updates to enhance customer trust.
Account health: Protects your account from restrictions while boosting seller performance.

Quick Jump

Auto-Order: full and semi-automation using your buy account
Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) service
Manual tracking updates
Tracking conversion
Possible Issues & Workarounds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Prerequisites

Before setting up tracking updates in AutoDS, ensure the following:

Check if your supplier supports automation (full or semi-automation).
👉 Learn More: AutoDS supported suppliers and selling channels
Enable the Orders Processor Add-on ($9.90/mo). Required for automation, whether using your own buyer accounts or the Fulfilled by AutoDS service.
👉 Learn More: AutoDS order automation options: FBA and Auto-Order (semi and full automation)
Ensure you have enough Auto-Order Credits to process orders and tracking.
👉 Learn More: What are Auto-Order Credits and how do they work?

Auto-Order: full and semi-automation using your buy account

If you use your own buyer account for order fulfillment, you can rely on full or semi-automation for tracking updates.

Go to Settings → Buy Accounts → + Add Account and follow the instructions.
For AliExpress accounts, the process is different.
In Buyer Account Settings, enable the checkbox Auto Tracking Numbers.
For semi-automation, ensure that only this option is selected.
Go to Supplier Settings → Orders, copy your Unique Tracking Email, and forward your supplier’s tracking emails.
(Amazon only) Go to Settings → Buy Accounts → Edit (✎) and configure OTP (2FA).

👉 Learn More:

Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA)

The most automated method, with 100% automatic tracking updates for our supported suppliers.

Go to Supplier Settings → Supplier Settings → Orders tab and enable:
- ✅ Process orders using Fulfilled by AutoDS service
- ✅ Automatic Orders (recommended)
Ensure you have enough balance to cover product and shipping costs.

Once activated, AutoDS updates tracking automatically. There are several ways you can check its status and verify each step of the package’s journey.

👉 Learn More:

Manual tracking updates

When suppliers don’t support automation, tracking must be updated manually.

Copy the tracking number from your supplier account and provide it to your customer through your selling channel. If your selling channel doesn't support the supplier's tracking number format, convert it using a supported method.
Go to the Orders Page → Locate the specific order → Click on the three dots → Edit Order.
Enter tracking number and carrier, mark as Shipped, and save.
Go to Settings → Supplier Settings → Orders tab, enable Mark order as Delivered automatically after [X] days, and set the period. The order will automatically update to “Delivered” based on your store’s integration settings.

👉 Learn More:

Tracking conversion

Some suppliers provide tracking numbers that may not be accepted directly by certain selling channels. Each marketplace — such as eBay, Shopify, or TikTok — has its own rules regarding which tracking formats are supported.

⚠️ Important: If your supplier’s original tracking number is not recognized, your order may appear “untracked” on the selling channel. This can negatively affect seller performance, account health, and customer satisfaction.

To prevent these issues, AutoDS allows you to convert unsupported tracking numbers into a unified, accepted format, ensuring smoother order management and consistent updates for your buyers.

Understanding your selling channel’s tracking policies is crucial. Make sure you know which formats are allowed to configure conversion correctly in AutoDS.

AutoDS currently supports three primary methods of automatic tracking conversion:

👉 Learn More:

How to convert tracking numbers automatically with Qtrack

Possible Issues & Workarounds

Issue	Workaround
A tracking number wasn’t automatically updated for my order	Check if the supplier is supported by automation. Verify the Orders Processor add-on is enabled. Consider supplier handling time — some take a few days to ship and provide tracking. Ensure that the email forwarding to your Unique Tracking Email is active and configured properly. (Semi-automation) Confirm the Buy Order ID and buyer account are entered correctly in AutoDS, and that the order has been shipped and tracking is available on the supplier side. 👉 Learn More: AutoDS Supported Suppliers and Selling channels How to forward your tracking emails
Tracking shows as invalid or unsupported	Choose a conversion method and check if Tracking Conversion is available and enabled before orders are processed. If everything looks correct with conversion settings, open a ticket for the Orders Team for further assistance. 👉 Learn More: How to contact an AutoDS Support Agent
Delay in receiving the tracking number	Check the supplier’s estimated delivery timeframe, as the package may not have been shipped yet. Allow extra time based on expected shipping speeds, because an issue may have occurred due to shipping carrier issues, weather, stock availability, or other external factors. If it’s taking too long and the order was processed through the FBA Service, open a ticket for the Orders Team. 👉 Learn More: How to contact an AutoDS Support Agent
The original tracking number was added instead of a converted one	Ensure you have enough AO Credits before orders are processed or sent to conversion (you can check your current balance on the AutoDS Orders Page and purchase more credits as needed). Double-check that Tracking Conversion is enabled before orders are processed. 👉 Learn More: What are Auto-Order Credits and how do they work?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: The order shows “Delivered” on the supplier site. How can the status be reflected in AutoDS and on the selling channel?
A:

Confirm supplier compatibility with automatic tracking updates.
In semi-automation, link the Buy Order ID and the buyer account to the order in AutoDS so the system can fetch tracking.
Keep the Orders Processor Add-on enabled and active.

👉 Learn More: AutoDS Supported Suppliers and Selling channels

Q: How does the “Delivered” status update on my selling channel?
A:

Delivery can be recorded by buyer confirmation, manual update in the selling channel, or automatically by the channel according to its policies.
Verify that the shipment shows Delivered on 17track.net; many channels rely on this status to reflect delivery.