Can You Track a Phone Without a SIM Card? Discover the Truth

Almost every phone today has a SIM card. SIM cards help you make calls and provide mobile data to connect to the internet. Interestingly, SIM cards were introduced in 1991, and now there are over 5.4 billion mobile users worldwide.

But with spam calls and scams on the rise, a lot of people are looking for ways to track their loved ones safely, especially parents wanting to protect their children.

So, can you track a phone without a SIM card? Yes, you can! Don’t worry—this article will break down how you can track a phone without a SIM card.

Part 1. Can You Track a Phone without a SIM Card

The simple answer is yes. Without a SIM card, a phone can be tracked. This is possible whether you are using an iPhone or Android. While it might sound complicated, it's actually pretty simple with the right tools.

For example, if your child misplaces their phone, you don’t need to panic over a missing SIM, you can use methods like built-in tracking services, phone tracking apps, and Google Maps to locate the phone easily. You can also use a Gmail or Google Account and an IMEI number.

In the next section, we will discuss all these methods in detail.

Part 2. How to Track a Phone without a SIM Card

Below we will discuss six ways to help you track a phone without a SIM card. Read on to discover these six methods.

Method 1. Using built-in tracking service

There are some built-in features for both Android and iOS that will help you easily track a phone without a SIM card. So let's find out what they are and how they can be used.

Find My Device (Android)

You might ask: can you track an Android phone without a SIM card? Yes, you can. Google’s Find My Device allows you to locate, lock, or erase your or someone's Android phone remotely. It works as long as the phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Even without a SIM card, this feature remains active as long as your Google Account is linked to the phone you want to track.

If you want to track your own Android phone, follow the steps on your Android device. If you want to track someone else's Android phone, you need to get access to their Android phone and follow the steps on that device.

Step 1. Enable Find My Device

Open "Settings"and then scroll to "Security" or "Google." Select "Find My Device" and turn it on. If you can’t find it, you can use the search bar in Settings.

Step 2. Sign in to your Google Account

Log in using the Google Account linked to the device you want to track.

Step 3. Go to the Find My Device website

Open Find My Device website in a web browser.

Step 4. Locate the phone

Once signed in, the target phone will receive a notification, and its approximate location will appear on a map. While this location might not be 100% precise, it’s usually close.

Step 5. Lock, erase, or play sound

From the same screen, you can lock the phone, play a sound to help locate it or erase the data if needed.

Find My iPhone (iPhone)

Apple’s built-in Find My iPhone feature is another powerful tool for locating your phone without a SIM card.

Like Google’s service, Find My iPhone lets you track, lock, or erase the device remotely as long as it’s connected to Wi-Fi. If the phone is turned off, you can view its last known location.

If you want to track your own iPhone, just follow the steps on your device. If you're looking to track someone else's iPhone, you'll need to access their iPhone and follow the instructions there.

Step 1. Enable Find My iPhone

Go to the iPhone’s Settings and tap on “iCloud.”

Step 2. Access Find My iPhone

Scroll down then tap “Find My iPhone.”

Step 3. Turn on Find My iPhone

Toggle the switch to turn on Find My iPhone. It’s a good idea to also enable "Send Last Location," which will automatically send the phone’s location to Apple when the battery is low.

Step 4. Track the device

Open the Find My app on another Apple device or visit iCloud on a computer to locate the iPhone. If the device is on, its current location will show up on the map.

Step 5. Play a sound, lock, or erase

Like Android’s tool, you can choose to play a sound to help locate the phone, lock it to prevent unauthorized access, or erase all data if the phone is gone for good.

Pros and cons of built-in tracking services to track a phone without a SIM card

Method 2. Using phone tracking apps

If you need more advanced tracking features or want to monitor more than just the phone’s location, phone tracking apps like Msafely can be a great option.

Msafely is a robust monitoring app that runs silently on a target device, allowing you to track phone activity without the person's knowledge. This allows you to quickly track and monitor a phone without a SIM card.

Msafely is updated in real-time on the control panel, regardless of the device type (iPhone or Android phone). You are always in the loop, and no information is lost.

Advantages of Msafely for tracking a phone without a SIM card

• Track the target phone's real-time location.
• Review the target phone's route history.

• Access the detailed date and time stamps for every location the target device has visited.
• View the target device's live location in both list and map formats.

Msafely offers other excellent tracking features

Msafely can help you track someone else's phone location without a SIM card, and it can also help you view the following data on their phone:

•  Track SMS

Msafely offers an option where all incoming and outgoing messages can be received and sent regardless of whether the phone contains a SIM card or not.

•  Photo and video viewing

Msafely lets you view all photos and videos stored on the targeted phone.

•  Social media apps monitoring

Msafely provides access to social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others.

•  Check browser history

This option can obtain web pages visited by the particular person holding the phone you want to monitor.

•  Email monitoring

You can track every email sent and received by the target phone without a SIM card.

•  Installed applications monitoring

All the applications that were installed on the phone can also be viewed with particular tools that provide information such as app size, app installation date, and app version.

Steps to Use Msafely to Track a Phone without a SIM Card

It is simple to use Msafely to track a phone without a SIM card. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Create a free account

Go to the Msafely page and register a free account with only a legitimate email.

Step 2. Choose the model of the phone you want to track.

If the phone you want to track is an Android, like Samsung, Huawei, or Xiaomi, select the Android option. If you want to track an iPhone, choose the iPhone option.

Step 3. Connect the target phone

Select a subscription that matches your requirements, and after that attach the target device per the instructions.

Step 4. Start tracking

After the successful connection, you will be able to log in to the Msafely control panel using any device. All these activities can be monitored in real-time with or without a SIM card through updates on the phone, text messages, social media, and others.

Pros and cons of using Msafely to track a phone without a SIM card

Method 3. Using Google Maps

Google Maps is a great tool to track a phone, even if it doesn't have a SIM card. Many smartphones already have it installed, and with a few simple steps, you can use it to find your phone.

For example, if your child misplaces their phone at school, you can quickly share their location with yourself using Google Maps, helping you find it before the battery runs out.

Follow these steps to use Google Maps to track your lost phone without a SIM card:

Step 1. In case Google Maps is not already installed, install and open it.

Step 2. Sign in to your Google Account. If you have more than one device, select the lost phone from the drop-down menu on the sidebar.

Step 3. Turn on Location Sharing for your phone. This allows tracking of the phone's location.

Step 4. Once you tap on the profile of the desired recipient, you can select the recipients whom you wish to share your location with.

Step 5. Track the phone by sending a link through email or message to the lost device. The link when clicked displays the phone's location to the person who clicks on it.

If you want to track someone else's phone using Google Maps, please follow the steps:

Step 1. Open the Google Maps app on their phone.

Step 2. Tap on their profile picture or initials in the top-right corner.

Step 3. Select "Location Sharing".

Step 4. Tap "Share Location" and choose how long they want to share their location.

Step 5. Choose your contact from their phone or share via a link.

Step 6. You’ll receive a notification or a link with their location. Open Google Maps on your phone or computer. Tap on their profile photo in the Google Maps app to see their live location.

Pros and cons of using Google Maps to track a phone without a SIM card

Method 4. Using social media apps

Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat can also help track a phone without a SIM card. These apps have built-in location features that you can enable to keep an eye on the phone’s whereabouts.

Option 1: Track with WhatsApp

WhatsApp is not just for messaging but can also help you track a phone. The catch? You need to have location sharing enabled in advance, and the phone should be connected to Wi-Fi or a hotspot.

Here’s how:

Step 1. Open your chat box on WhatsApp in the phone you want to track.

Step 2. Tap the “Attach” icon.

Step 3. Select “Location.”

Step 4. Press "Continue" when WhatsApp asks for location access.

Step 5. Choose either Share the live location (for up to 8 hours) or Send the current location (a one-time snapshot).

Option 2: Track With Snapchat

Snapchat’s location-sharing feature is another option. Just make sure you’ve turned off Ghost Mode beforehand and always allowed location permissions. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Turn off Ghost Mode in Snapchat settings.

Step 2. Use your friend's phone to open Snapchat.

Step 3. Go to the Snap Map and check the current location of your lost phone.

Pros and cons of using social media apps to track a phone without a SIM card

Method 5. Using Gmail or Google Account

Google account syncs the current data to your device when you are signed in to your Google account, so If there is no SIM in the phone it can still be traced. If you’ve used Gmail on the phone, you can follow these simple steps to track it.:

Step 1. Go to your Google account.

Step 2. From the left menu panel choose "Security" and scroll down. Here you can see a list of the devices that are either currently signed in or have been signed in over the past few weeks.

Step 3. Click on Find a Lost device.

Step 4. Select the lost device.

Let’s say your child’s Android phone goes missing in the house, and they’ve been using Gmail for school. By logging into your Google account, you can quickly track its location without needing to call or rely on the SIM. It’s super convenient, but there are pros and cons.

Pros and cons of using Gmail or Google account to track a phone without a SIM card

Method 6. Using IMEI number

Every mobile device has an IMEI number which is usually 15 digits and helps trace it in any mobile network even in the absence of a SIM card. This is especially useful when your cell phone is lost or stolen. Below are steps on how to locate your phone with the IMEI number:

Step 1. You can get the IMEI number by punching *#06# on your phone, or by checking your phone’s packaging.

Step 2. If you’ve lost your phone, retrieve the IMEI number through your carrier.

Step 3. Use a trusted IMEI tracker.

Step 4. Submit the IMEI number and verify your identity to begin the tracking process. A map will show the phone’s general location.

NOTE: If your phone is stolen, reporting the IMEI number to the police is a better option. They can use it to track the device through mobile networks more efficiently.

Pros and cons of using IMEI Number to track a phone without a SIM card

Part 3. FAQs about Tracking a Phone without a SIM Card

Q1. Can I track a phone without a SIM card?

Yes, you can track a phone using methods like Google’s “Find My Device” or by using the phone’s IMEI number.

Q2. Can I use Google Maps to track a phone without a SIM card?

Yes, provided the phone is connected to Wi-Fi and logged in to your Google account, the phone can be located through Google maps.

Q3. Can a phone be tracked by the authorities without a SIM card?

Yes, the police can track your phone using the IMEI even without a SIM card.

Q4. Is it legal to track a phone without a SIM card?

Yes, it’s legal if you own the phone or have permission, but unauthorized tracking is illegal.

Q5. Can I track a phone with just the serial number?

No, the serial number alone can’t track a phone; you need the IMEI or tracking services.

Part 4. Conclusion

Tracking a phone without a SIM card in place is often easy to do and can be incredibly useful in various situations, from finding a misplaced device to keeping your loved ones safe.

There are built-in tools such as Find My Phone or Find My Device, Google features, or other means of tracking like IMEI, which allow you to monitor your smartphone, even if there is no SIM card.

While each method has its pros and cons, the best approach often depends on how accessible the phone is and whether it's connected to Wi-Fi or mobile networks. Now that you can answer the question: Can you track a phone without the SIM card? Always remember, you have options!