How to Track Someone’s Location Using Their Phone
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In today’s digital age, tracking someone’s location using their phone has become increasingly accessible through various methods and tools.
Whether you’re trying to keep tabs on a loved one for safety reasons, recover a lost device, or verify someone’s identity, there are multiple ways to track a phone’s location.
Thanks to advancements in smartphone apps and GPS technology, it’s now easier than ever to track someones location in real-time using just their phone number, their actual device or even their account details.
In this article we’ll explore several cool technologies that make GPS tracking possible, including using Google Maps, popular built-in phone features, carrier services, online reverse lookup tools, and even using a third-party mobile tracker.
From real-time GPS tracking to ensuring anonymity, this guide covers everything you need to know to track someone’s location effectively and responsibly and we’ll even discuss the legal considerations you should be aware of when tracking a mobile device.
So let’s continue and discover what the options are:
1. Use Google Maps’ current location feature
Google Maps is a powerful tool that many people already have on their phones. If you have access to the person’s Google account or if they have shared their location with you, tracking their real-time location is straightforward.
Simply open the Google Maps app, tap on the profile picture, and tap Location Sharing. From here, you can select the amount of time you want to share the location and the exact person you want to share it with.
This method is highly accurate, usually pinpointing the location within a few meters but the biggest downside is that the person must have willingly shared their location with you. Without their consent, the Google Map method won’t work.
2. Use your phone’s built-in features
Both Android and iPhone have built-in tracking features—Find My Device for Android and Find My App for iPhone location tracking. These tools allow you to see a phone’s location if you have access to the device’s associated account.
On an iPhone, you can even set up notifications for when the device leaves or arrives at certain locations but in order for these features to work, the phone must be powered on and connected to the internet, making them ineffective if the device is turned off or in an area without signal.
3. Use an online reverse phone lookup tool
Online reverse lookup tools are services that allow you to find detailed information about someone using just their cell phone number.
These tools can help you track a phone number location by revealing the exact cell phone location or providing additional data linked to the number.
Common advantages of these tools include:
- Track phone number real time GPS location with up-to-date information.
- Search with anonymity and track phone locations discreetly without revealing your identity.
- Track any cell phone number from around the world regardless of the carrier or network.
- Track any mobile device, whether it’s a smartphone, basic phone, a Samsung, Nokia etc.
- Track someone’s location globally, regardless of where the phone is located.
- No app install is needed on the target device, making it easier and more discreet to track someone’s phone location.
The main advantage of phone lookup tools is that you can track someone’s location without needing physical access to the mobile device.
Below, we explore some of the most popular services, including Scannero, GeoFinder, and Social Catfish, which help you monitor and track phone location effectively.
What is Scannero?
Scannero is an online phone number tracker that helps you track someone’s location using just their phone number.
It offers a simple and quick way to find out where someone is by entering their number into the platform.
Scannero works by entering the phone number you want to track and creating an account with your email and password for you to receive the information. then
Once you’ve set up your account, Scannero will send a location request via a discrete message via any messenger, SMS, or email to the phone number.
When they click on the link, you’ll see their exact location, which you can view on a map in your dashboard.
Scannero offers the ability to ensure that your location tracking remains discreet and anonymous.
You can discreetly monitor someone’s location by sending a link through messenger, SMS, or email, or by using an anonymous message with a location-sharing link. The person being tracked will have no clue that their movements are being observed.
Scannero has some other cell phone lookup features including sending a pre-displayed message to your lost phone even if the screen is locked, encouraging anyone who finds it to return the device to you.
It also has a reverse phone lookup feature that will let you know who’s on the other end of numbers that appear as “Unknown Caller ID”.
What is GeoFinder?
GeoFinder is an online mobile number tracker that allows you to pinpoint the exact location of any phone number on a map, regardless of the mobile network, phone model or even where they are in the world.
GeoFinder works by allowing you to send a customized SMS with a location-sharing link to the phone number you want to track.
Once the recipient clicks the link and agrees to share their location, GeoFinder pinpoints their exact location on a map. You can then view this location in your User Space, all without the need to install any software.
The great thing about GeoFinder is it allows you to send an unlimited amount of messages and it supports virtually every mobile network operator and cell phone brand there is.
The process can be completely anonymous, with no need to download any software, and it requires only a single click to find someone’s location anywhere in the world.
GeoFinder has some other useful features including an IP Logger, a WiFi tracker, a VPN checker and a mobile network carrier lookup.
What is Social Catfish?
Social Catfish is an online phone lookup and investigation service that helps you verify the identity of people you meet online by using reverse lookup searches, including reverse phone search.
It allows you to search through billions of records to confirm whether someone is who they claim to be.
Social Catfish works by allowing you to search for a person or company using phone numbers, email addresses, names, images and more to scan its extensive database, which includes billions of public records and online profiles.
With a reverse phone search, you can find out who is behind a phone number, ensuring it’s registered to a real person and not just a VOIP (internet-based) number used by scammers to hide their location.
This service is particularly valuable for those who suspect they might be dealing with a catfish or scammer. By simply entering a phone number, you can verify if it belongs to the person you’ve been interacting with, check the authenticity of a business, or even reconnect with lost contacts.
Social Catfish helps you protect yourself by confirming the identity of people and businesses, preventing potential scams before they happen.
4. Use a third-party phone tracking app
Third-party phone tracking apps are tools that allow you to track the location of a target cell phone without relying on built-in services.
These apps can provide features like live location, which shows the real-time location of the mobile phone; location history, which lets you see where the phone has been over time; geofencing, which alerts you when the phone enters or leaves a specific area; and SIM tracking, which tracks the phone location based on the SIM card rather than a device.
These tracker apps are commonly used for parental monitoring and real time location tracking. While these phone tracking apps offer powerful location tracking features, they are intended for legal use only.
To track location using someone’s phone, there are a number of third-party apps that offer a built-in GPS phone tracker to help you stay informed about the whereabouts and activities of the target cell phone.
Below, we take a closer look at some of the most popular ones available, including mSpy, SpyX, SpyBubble, EyeZy, and uMobix.
These apps differ in their capabilities, setup requirements, and the specific features they provide, such as live location tracking, location history, geofencing, and SIM tracking.
What is mSpy?
mSpy is a phone tracker and monitoring app designed to work on both Android and iOS devices, whether they are jailbroken, rooted, or straight out of the box.
Once set up, mSpy operates invisibly, providing you with real-time updates on the target device’s activities through your dashboard.
To use mSpy for Android devices, mSpy requires physical access to the phone for installation. Once installed, it runs quietly in the background, allowing you to monitor the person’s whereabouts without needing to root the device.
To use mSpy for iPhones, you can either use physical access to install the app or use iCloud credentials to set up monitoring remotely.
While more features are available for jailbroken iPhones, mSpy offers a lite version that can be downloaded directly from the App Store.
What is SpyX?
SpyX is a phone tracker and monitoring tool that allows you to track a target mobile phone’s location by collecting data from its cloud storage.
The data is then transferred to your device, allowing you to monitor the target phone without needing physical access to it or installing any apps on it.
To use SpyX, you need the iCloud or Google account credentials (including the password and verification code) of the target device.
If the same account has been used on other devices, those can help you complete the verification process.
Since SpyX operates using cloud technology, it remains hidden and untraceable on the target phone.
The app provides real-time tracking, location logs, geofencing alerts and even SIM tracking to ensure you have up-to-date information.
What is SpyBubble?
SpyBubble is a phone tracker and monitoring app designed to help you discreetly track a partner’s smartphone activities.
It’s particularly useful if you suspect infidelity, providing you with the tools to gather evidence without being detected.
SpyBubble works by installing the app on an Android device or using iCloud credentials for iOS devices, allowing you to monitor the target phone’s activities remotely from your dashboard.
Once set up, SpyBubble allows you to track a wide range of data, including real-time location data. SpyBubble runs silently in the background, so the person using the phone is unaware that their activities are being monitored.
This app is particularly popular for those looking to confirm suspicions of infidelity, providing insights that can help you make informed decisions.
What is EyeZy?
EyeZy is a phone tracker and monitoring app designed to help you track someone’s location and monitor their activities on their smartphone.
It’s mostly used by parents who want to keep an eye on their children’s online behavior and whereabouts. With EyeZy, you can track a phone’s GPS location, see where they’ve been, and get alerts if they enter or exit a certain location.
EyeZy works by installing the app on the target device or using advanced cloud technology for iOS devices.
Once set up, it operates invisibly in the background, allowing you to monitor their whereabouts without being detected. EyeZy offers real-time updates and provides a secure, encrypted environment to protect your data.
To get started with EyeZy, you choose a subscription plan, install the app using the setup guide, and then access the information through your dashboard.
What is uMobix?
uMobix is a cell phone tracking app designed to help parents monitor their child’s smartphone or tablet activities in real-time.
It offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities across 30+ popular apps and social media platforms, allowing you to keep track of calls, messages, GPS location, and much more.
To use uMobix, you start by choosing a subscription plan and registering an account. For Android devices, you need physical access to the device for a quick installation that takes less than a minute.
For iOS devices, you only need the iCloud credentials, with no physical access required. Once installed, uMobix operates in stealth mode, sending real-time location information every five minutes directly to your personal dashboard, where you can view all the data.
5. Contact your mobile network provider
Many carriers, like AT&T and Verizon, offer location services such as FamilyMap or Family Locator. These services allow you to track the real-time location of phones linked to your account.
To use these services, you typically need to sign up through your carrier’s platform and pay a monthly subscription fee.
However, keep in mind that these services are limited to phones on your account and require the knowledge and consent of the person being tracked.
In cases where a phone is lost or stolen, your carrier can assist with tracking the device using its unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number.
This method, often used in official investigations, can locate the phone even if the SIM card has been changed. However, IMEI tracking is generally not suitable for everyday monitoring and is more effective as a recovery tool.
6. Use a bluetooth tracker
A Bluetooth tracker is a small, wireless device that uses Bluetooth technology to broadcast a signal to nearby devices, helps you locate and keep track of items like your phone. Popular brands of Bluetooth trackers include Tile, Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag, and Chipolo.
These devices are typically shaped like a keychain charm that can be attached to your phone or shaped like a credit card to slide easily into your phone case, allowing you to find them if they get lost or misplaced.
If the tracker is within Bluetooth range (typically 100-400 feet depending on the model), you can tap a button to make the tracker emit a loud ringing sound. This helps you locate the phone if it’s nearby, such as under a couch cushion or in another room.
If your device is out of Bluetooth range, you can enable the “Notify When Found” feature or the Reverse Ring feature. This will trigger an alert to your phone when someone in the tracker community comes within range or make it ring so that you can find it more easily.
