How to Track a Phone without Them Knowing | 7 Proven Methods

The internet is a powerful tool, but it can also be risky, especially when it comes to the safety of your loved ones. With social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram, it’s crucial to stay vigilant.

Many people ask, 'How can I track a phone without them knowing, for free?' Whether it's a partner or family member, tracking their location discreetly can offer peace of mind. Below are seven reliable methods to help you do just that—explore them to find the best fit for your needs.

Part 1. How to Track a Phone without Them Knowing-7 Methods

Method 1. Tracking by phone tracker

Using a phone tracker or spy app can be the best option when tracking your loved one’s location without them knowing. Tracking applications like Msafely are popular among users for their real-time data and numerous features that help them keep a close eye on their loved one’s activities.

1.1. Brief introduction to Msafely

Msafely is a parental control app that can also be used as a spy app to track someone’s location and activity. It offers multiple features that help you monitor your loved one's conversations and online activity.

The best part is that the app leaves no track on the target phone. It does not take sudden screenshots, does not interfere with the email push, and does not increase the network traffic. So, there is no evidence of tracking or spying on the target phone.

1.2. Strengths of Msafely in location tracking on iPhone & Android

Msafely gives you real-time updates on the target phone’s location, making it easy for you to stay updated on someone's current location. You can use the Msafely app to:

• Monitor the real-time location of the target phone.
• Review the device's route history.

• Access the date and time of the device's locations.
• View the device's live location with both list and map views.

1.3. Msafely offers more amazing tracking features

Msafely allows you to track someone's phone without them knowing and also lets you monitor their text messages, call logs, browsing history, WhatsApp, and more. The type of data Msafely can monitor varies depending on whether the target phone is an Android or iPhone. Check the table below for specific details.

1.4. How to use Msafely to track a phone without them knowing

Tracking someone's phone secretly with Msafely is simple. Just follow these steps:

Step 1. Create a free account

Go to the Msafely website and sign up with your email to create a free account.

Step 2. Choose the phone type you want to track

Select the phone type you want to track — choose 'Android' if it’s an Android phone or 'iPhone' if it’s an iPhone.

Step 3. Connect the target device

Pick a subscription plan (1 month, 3 months, or 12 months). After selecting your plan, follow the instructions for connecting to the device based on whether it's an Android or iPhone.

Step 4. Start tracking

Once you've completed these steps, you can start tracking the phone's activities in real-time remotely. This includes location, text messages, contact lists, installed apps, and even activity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Method 2. Google Find My Device (Android)

If you want to track someone and are unaware of how to track a phone without them knowing it, Android's built-in GPS navigator is at your service. All Androids have a built-in Google Find My Device feature that can help you track any phone at any time of the day.

Here's a simple method to track an Android with Find My Device:

Step 1. Log in to a target phone linked Google account on your device.

Step 2. Swipe down to see all the devices connected to the Google account.

Step 3. Tap on your target device.

Step 4. Track the location of your target Android device on the map.

Method 3. Find My iPhone (iPhone)

Tracking an iPhone is pretty simple as Apple provides built-in Find My software to assist you in finding the location of your loved ones.

First, enable location sharing on your kid's or partner's phone to track it from your iOS device. Then follow the following steps to track their phone:

Step 1. Add your target iPhone's credentials to log in to iCloud.

Step 2. Open Find My Software on your Apple device.

Step 3. Now, track the location of your target iOS device.

Method 4. Google Maps (Android & iPhone)

Whether Androids or iOS, if you want to know how to track a phone without them knowing for free, Google Maps is the best choice. Or, if you want to share your location with your family for safety purposes, it is still the most convenient option. Follow the simple steps below to track a phone using Google Maps without them knowing:

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

Step 2. Click on the profile icon in the top right corner.

Step 3. Click on location sharing.

Step 4. Select your contact and share their real-time location.

Method 5. Tracking by social media

Another way to track a person's location is through social media. Most social apps, including Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Telegram, and WhatsApp, allow users to share their locations with their loved ones. The feature is available in the app; they only need to enable the location settings in the target phone's app. Alternatively, you can share the target phone’s location on your phone through WhatsApp.

Here’s how to track a phone without them knowing through WhatsApp:

Step 1. Open your chat box on WhatsApp in the target phone.

Step 2. Click on the Attachment sign 📎 next to the message box.

Step 3. Select Location.

Step 4. Tap on Continue when WhatsApp asks for location access.

Step 5. Select live location and share it on your number.

Method 6. Cell phone Carrier Services

The next on our “How to track a mobile phone number without them knowing guide” is using their cell phone carrier service to monitor their location. After you have location access, you can use the carrier's app or website to track your kid's real-time location. You can also select specific features you want to have regarding the phone’s location tracking. While you might want to use this method to track your child’s location, it’s important to have the device owner’s consent when tracking their device.

Method 7. By IMEI number

Learning how to track a phone number without them knowing can help you ensure your children's safety and keep the stress away. Another smart way to track a phone is by utilizing the IMEI number. It is a 15-digit unique code for each phone that can help you locate your partner or kid in a moment. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1. First, find the IMEI code in the target phone's settings and note it down somewhere. If you cannot find the IMEI code, dial *06# on that phone.

Step 2. Now, install an IMEI tracker from the Play Store or App Store for your Android or iOS.

Step 3. Follow all the app instructions to set up.

Step 4. Add the target phone's IMEI number in the tracker.

Step 4. Tap track, and you're done.

Part 2. Bonus Tip: Can Someone Track My Phone without Me Knowing

Yes, if the person has your Google or iCloud account credentials and mobile phone lock screen password, they can track your phone before you know it. Moreover, your phone’s IMEI or access to your WhatsApp also makes it quite easy to monitor your phone’s activity and location. If you suspect that you are being tracked, here are some precautions to avoid being spied on:

• Change your device’s lock.
• Change your Gmail password every few months for added safety.
• Restart your device often, as some apps need to be connected again after restarting to fetch data.
• Update your phone’s software timely.
• Turn off location sharing in Google Maps or Apple’s Find My.
• Check if you’re sharing your location to anyone on WhatsApp.

Part 3. FAQs about Tracking a Phone without Them Knowing

Q1. How to track a phone without them knowing for free?

You can use Google Maps location-sharing settings to locate a phone for free. Or, track a phone with Google's Find My Device or Find My iPhone feature to track Android and iOS devices, respectively.

Q2. How can I track someone's lost phone?

The best methods to track a lost phone are through Find My Device, Find My iPhone, and IMEI code. However, if the phone is not lost but stolen, then the first two methods allow you to erase all the data in the lost phone.

Q3. Can I track my phone from another phone?

Yes, you can track your phone from another device. If you have your phone's IMEI code, using an IMEI tracker is an easy and simple method. You can also log in to your Google or Apple account linked to your target phone on another device and track your phone's current location.

Q4. Can a phone be tracked if it is off?

Tracking a switched off phone can be hard to locate as most of the tracking software use internet to find the device’s location. Though the latest iOS devices can be tracked even when switched off, many other devices are hard to reach when turned off.

Q5. Can a phone be tracked if IMEI is changed?

You might be surprised to know that people are often unable to find lost phones using IMEI because the robbers change the IMEI. In such situations, you might be able to locate your phone with your sim card number if you’re lucky.

Part 4. Conclusion

Use Google Find My Device, Find My iPhone, Google Maps, cell phone service provider, or IMEI to track a device. You can also find a device’s location when you’re sharing it on your number via social media. Spy apps like Msafely provide you with numerous features to track your loved one’s activity, including location tracking.

Using tracking methods may sound unusual to some people, but parents must have to ensure their children’s safety. The above seven methods of tracking phones can be a lifesaver for every stressed parent out there. Also, when you suspect your partner is cheating on you and already know how to track a phone without them knowing, you can track their location and location history to confront them with proof and discuss further.