How to Track Someone by Cell Phone Number Without Them Knowing: Free & Effective Methods

Finding a lost phone or locating your loved ones in an emergency situation has not been easy in the past. Other than using the IMEI number to locate a phone, there haven’t been any options. But what if you do not know their IMEI number or other details? In such a situation, tracking someone using their cell phone can be the best option. Adding their phone numbers into an app to find out the exact location undoubtedly sounds great!

Now the question is, “How to find people's location by phone number?”

This article tells you “Can you track a cell phone number,” “How to track a stolen phone,” “How to track people without them knowing,” and much more!

Part 1. Can You Track Someone by Their Cell Phone Number without Them Knowing

Often when you do not have location details of your loved ones’ phones, you might want to track their phone using their cell phone number. However, it is not possible to find out someone’s location only with the phone number. You will need to use in-built or third-party software to track someone via their cell phone.

We’ve shared different methods to track someone’s mobile phone without them knowing. Check all the options and select that suits your needs and preference the most.

Part 2. How to Track Someone's by Their Cell Phone Number Without Them Knowing

Msafely is one of the most credible and trusted parental control and spy apps enabling you to track a phone without them knowing. It gives you real-time updates on the target phone’s location along with various other monitoring options like social media, web history, media, and much more.

It is excellent for locating a lost phone or remotely keeping a close eye on your child’s activity on their phone. With Msafely, you can block apps, websites, and Wi-Fi on the target phone. It also allows you to screen record the activity on the target phone and restrict screen time remotely.

The best part is that you do not need to install Msafely on the target phone to monitor the activity. Here’s how you can easily register and use Msafely:

Step 1. Go to Msafely website and register online for free with your valid email ID.

Step 2. Choose the target device you want to track, iPhone or Android.

Step 3. Now, select your preferred subscription plan.

Step 4. Connect the target phone to your Msafely account to start monitoring.

Step 5. Once connected, open the Msafely Control Panel to view all the app icons.

Msafely's other monitoring features

Besides location tracking and geofencing, Msafely’s additional features make it a popular choice among parents. It offers remote monitoring for the following on the target phone:

•   Text messages
•   Call logs
•   Images and videos
•   Calendar
•   Notes
•   Reminders
•   Keylogger
•   WhatsApp
•   Instagram
•   Line
•   Snapchat
•   Tinder
•   Kik
•   Telegram

and more.

Part 3. 3 Free Methods to Track Someone's by Their Cell Phone Number

Ever wondered, if you can track stolen phones by number or track someone by cell phone number without them knowing? Hear from us, yes, you can. There are different methods to find your stolen phone's exact location, including Find My, Google Maps, and Msafely. Read below to find out how to track a phone number for free:

Method 1. Find My

#1. Find My-iPhone

Did you know you can find someone's location by phone number on an iPhone? The Find My app, which is built-in software for iPhones, can always help you track someone with phone numbers. Plus, you can see their location history on the app.

Let's see how to find people's location by phone number:

Step 1. First, ensure that your target person has enabled the Find My feature on their iPhone.

Step 2. Now, open Find My on your iPhone and tap on the person's profile you want to track from the list of people (at the bottom of the screen).

That's it. If the phone has an active internet connection, then you'll be able to see their location on the map.

#2. Find My Device-Android

Just like Find My iPhone, Android phones also have Find My Device software. If you think your phone has been stolen, you can start locating a phone without them knowing about it. Before we start with the method, make sure that the Find My Device feature and location are enabled on the target phone.

Now, follow the step-by-step instructions given below to find out how to track someone without them knowing:

Step 1. Sign in to the Google account logged in on your target device.

Step 2. Go to the Google Find My Device website and tap on the target phone from the available devices.

Here, you'll see the real-time location of your target phone on Google Maps.

You'll also see more options, like:

• Lock Your Device (lock it with a new password to avoid misuse)
• Ring Your Device (to find it nearby)
• Reset Device or Erase Data (to erase all phone data in case it's stolen)

Method 2. Google Maps-iPhone & Android

When you want to track someone without them knowing, Google Maps is a software that can always help you. Whether your target phone is an iPhone or Android, mobile phone tracking without permission is easier with Google Maps. Here's how to track people without them knowing:

Step 1. Get hands on your target phone and sneakily turn on location sharing in the Google Maps app.

Note: If your target phone is an iPhone, install the Google Maps app before the first step.

Step 2. Also, add your contact to their location-sharing contacts.

Step 3. Now, open the Google Maps app on your phone, tap on their profile, and start tracking their real-time location.

You can also track their location history if their Google Maps timeline is turned on.

Method 3. Samsung SmartThings Find

Like Find My for iPhone, Samsung also offers its users the Samsung SmartThings Find app to track someone by cell phone number without them knowing free of cost. SmartThings Find helps you track your target Samsung phone's location and location history. Have a look at how to track a phone number for free with the Samsung SmartThings Find app,

Step 1. Get access to your target Samsung phone and download and install the app on both the target person's phone and your phone.

Step 2. Follow all the instructions to complete setting up the app on both phones.

Step 3. Now, open the app on your phone and add your child's Samsung account credentials from the Add Device>Add Member options.

Step 4. Complete linking the accounts by completing all prompts.

Step 5. From here, you can start tracking their location and location history remotely.

In addition, Samsung SmartThings Find will give you some other options like:

• Request Location Sharing (to request your child to turn on the location sharing feature)
• Ring your Phone (to ring and locate the phone nearby)
• Lock and Erase or Reset Device (to lock and erase data to avoid misuse of data in case it's stolen or lost)

Part 4. What is the Best Way to Track Someone by Their Cell Phone Number Without Them Knowing

After the above comparison of all four methods of mobile phone tracking without permission, we conclude that Msafely is the best app to track someone without them knowing. This conclusion was made based on the app's strong location-tracking features and ease of use, along with its ability to stay hidden while monitoring all other mobile activities.

Part 5. Breaking Common Myths About Tracking Someone by Their Phone Number

You might have heard about locating someone remotely using their phone number. But, is it really possible? Not really. Here are some common myths about tracking someone by their phone number – busted!

Myth: You can track someone's phone just by their phone number

If someone tells you they can track someone without them knowing just by their phone number, be vary; you might get scammed. Only mobile carriers and law enforcement departments can track a phone using the phone number because they are legally authorized to do so. If you want to track a phone with the phone number only, you will need legal authorization.

Myth: Free apps can completely track anyone's phone without their knowledge

Free apps might claim to completely track anyone’s phone without their knowledge, but it is not entirely true. Free apps offer limited service and the location might not be as accurate or up-to-date as paid apps. However, all apps have some requirements for locating a phone without them knowing about it.

Myth: Phone location can be tracked without the person knowing at all

Though you can track someone’s location without them knowing (using phone tracking apps), you need information like their cloud ID. Some apps might also require downloading the app on the target phone, making it more obvious. However, inbuilt software like Find My and Google Maps require location sharing from the target phone to track the device remotely.

Myth: You can track a phone's exact location with no special software

If you do not have Find My activated on your phone, or a phone tracking app installed on your phone, locating it through the phone number is almost impossible. You will require special software like a spy app or inbuilt software turned on to find the phone’s exact location.

Part 6. FAQs

Q1. Are there free apps to track a phone without them knowing?

Many free apps claim to track a phone without them knowing, but the results may not be as accurate as you expect. Also, you might need to download the app on the target phone, making it obvious.

Q2. What’s the safest way to track someone’s phone legally?

Location sharing apps are safest to track someone’s phone legally. Use Find My to locate your friends and family with iPhone devices, and share location through Google Maps for those using Android phones. This keeps you updated on their latest location in real-time.

Q3. Can police track a phone number in real-time?

Yes police can track a phone number in real-time when needed. Mobile phones are tracked via GPS, IMEI, and cell tower triangulation to locate a phone or person using the device. However, they also require a court order unless urgent.

Q4. How can I check if my phone is being tracked?

If you suspect that someone is tracking your phone, look for unknown installed apps on your phone and unusual noise during calls. Moreover, fast battery drainage, slow performance, and high data usage may also indicate a spy app on your phone.

Part 7. Conclusion

You might want to track someone’s location for various reasons, and wonder, “How to track a phone number for free?” Unfortunately, you cannot track anyone’s phone using their phone number. Only law enforcement and mobile carriers can find someone’s location by phone number.

If you want to track someone’s location, use Find My for iPhone, Find My Device for Android, and SmartThings Find for Samsung devices particularly. Parental control apps like MSafely can also come handy if you do not want to track your kids without them knowing. It does not require jailbreaking or rooting and updates you of the latest real-time location of the target device.