How to Track Someone on Google Maps without Them Knowing

Google Maps undoubtedly serves as a great app that helps you find the location of someone. To track and trace Google Maps locations, you must know how to see shared locations and also how to find someone on Google Maps.

In addition, your loved ones can send locations with Google Maps so that you can keep track of their real-time location at all times. This blog will walk you through the simple steps for using Google Maps, its limitations, and alternative methods to track someone’s location without them knowing.

Part 1. How to Track Someone on Google Maps without Them Knowing

Way 1. Using Google Maps location sharing

Google Maps is a free app that allows you to track the real-time location and location history of your family. While it is a built-in Android app, you have to install it on iPhones. Not only is it free, but using the app is quite simple, with no complications. Here's how to view someone's location on Google Maps using its location-sharing feature:

Step 1. Get access to your target person's phone, enable location services, and launch the Google Maps app on it.

Step 2. Tap on the Profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3. Click on location sharing from the pop-up menu.

Step 4. Change the location sharing duration from 'For 1 hour' to 'Until you turn this off.'

Step 5. Select your Gmail account or phone number from the contacts for Google Maps phone number location tracking.

Step 6. Once done, you can start location tracking from your phone.

Turn on location sharing on Google Maps.

Requirements:

Although using Google Maps to find someone's location is free of cost, you will need to access your target person's phone and Google account. Location services must also be enabled on the target phone, along with active internet.

Limitations:

This method is unsuitable if you want to secretly track someone on Google Maps because it notifies the target. Plus, physically accessing the target phone can end with you getting caught red-handed.

Way 2. Linked Google account tracking

Follow these simple instructions to learn how to locate someone on Google Maps using linked Google account tracking.

Step 1. Install the Google Family Link app on your phone and set it up for your kid's device.

Step 2. Add your kid's Google account on the Family Link app to connect it to your Google account.

Step 3. Enable location sharing on your kid's phone and track their location from your phone for free.

Requirements:

Even if you know how to follow someone on Google Maps through linked accounts, you must remember that it needs access to their phone. You also need to install the Family Link app. In addition, both devices must have an active internet connection and an enabled location.

Limitations:

This method requires physical access to the target phone with an active internet connection and enabled location services. Plus, it does not work for discreet location tracking.

Part 2. More Alternatives to Track Someone's Location without Them Knowing

Way 1. Use a hidden mobile phone tracker

Wondering how to track someone's location without them knowing? Msafely is the easiest, most beginner-friendly phone tracker app for the job. It runs discreetly in the background, so you can monitor their movements without raising any suspicion.

Here's a breakdown of the key features of Msafely for location tracking:

Real-time location updates

Msafely provides live location tracking, so you can see the exact whereabouts of the device in real time, ensuring you're always up to date.

Location history

Track past locations over a specific period. This feature allows you to review the location history of the device to see where it has been.

Accurate GPS tracking

Using GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation, Msafely ensures pinpoint accuracy for location tracking, even in areas with weak GPS signals.

Geofencing

Set virtual boundaries for the device. You'll receive instant alerts if the device enters or leaves designated areas, offering a layer of safety and control.

Let's get started with the phone tracker app, i.e., Msafely, with the following step-by-step guide on how to find a person's location:

Step 1. Go to Msafely's official website and sign up for a free account.

Step 2. Choose your target device: iPhone or Android.

Step 3. Choose a monthly plan and connect your target phone to your Msafely account.

Step 4. You can now start tracking the location and other online activities (texts, calls, social media accounts, browsers, photos, videos, and more) of your target phone.

Requirements:

To track someone's location with Msafely, all you need is a monthly subscription.

Way 2. Use Find My Device (Android)

If you want to track someone's location or find a stolen or lost Android, using Find My Device is yet another reasonable and free method. Learn how to track people using Find My Device with these simple steps:

Step 1. Go to the Google Find My Device website or install the app on your phone.

Step 2. Log in to your target phone's Google account.

Step 3. Choose the target device from the list of devices connected to the Google account.

Step 4. You can now, see and track the location of your target person on the map.

Requirements:

To track people's locations through Google Find My Device, you must have your target phone's account credentials. In addition, location services must be enabled on the target phone with an active internet connection.

Limitations:

This method will not work if the target phone has a poor internet connection or disabled location services.

Way 3. Find my iPhone (iOS devices)

Using Find My iPhone is a simple and reliable option to track someone's location, and it works similarly to Google Find My Device. Let's see how to find people's locations with Find My iPhone:

Step 1. Go to the iCloud website on your phone and log in with your target phone's iCloud account credentials.

Step 2. Tap on the Find My option and select your target device from the list of devices connected to that iCloud account. Find My will show your target iPhone's location on the map so you can track it easily.

Requirements:

Before you start with this method, make sure to enable Find My iPhone on your target person's device. You will also need the account credentials for the iCloud account linked with your target iPhone.

Limitations:

Find My iPhone must be enabled on your target iPhone.

Way 4. Tracking via social apps (Snapchat, Facebook, etc.)

In addition to the above methods, you can track someone's location via social media apps, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Facebook. We'll tell you how to track someone via these social apps one by one.

#1. Track location using WhatsApp:

Step 1. Ask your friend or kid to launch WhatsApp on their phone and open your chat.

Step 2. Tap on the Attach File icon and click on Location.

Step 3. Now, click Share Current Location or Live Location.

Step 4. Select a time duration (for live location) and tap on send.

You can now track their current location using the WhatsApp link you received.

Requirements:

Your target phone must have active internet and WhatsApp running in the background. Also, ask your friend or kid to enable location services on their phone.

Limitations:

The method doesn't work if the target device doesn't have an internet connection. Plus, remember that WhatsApp cannot help you track someone secretly.

#2. Track location using Snapchat:

Snapchat offers a Snap Map feature that helps friends to track each other's location through the app. Here's how to track people via Snapchat:

Step 1. Launch the Snapchat app on your phone.

Step 2. Tap on the map (location) icon on the bottom left corner of the screen.

Step 3. Here, you will see the Bitmoji or profile picture of the friends who have shared their locations with you.

Step 4. You can click on your friend's Bitmoji or profile picture on the map and see their location.

Requirements:

For this method to work, the person must share their location with you, and you both must have a Snapchat account.

Limitations:

This method cannot work discreetly, and it is not of any help if the target person doesn't share their location with you.

#3. Track location Using Facebook:

Although Facebook doesn't really offer a location-tracking feature, you can track someone's location through their check-ins and location-tagged posts.

Requirements:

To track someone through Facebook posts, you must be friends with them on the app, or their account must be public.

Limitations

There are no location tracking features; you can only track their check-in posts if you're friends with them on Facebook.

Part 3. Which One is the Best Way to Track Someone's Location without Them Knowing

Factors	Google Maps	Msafely	Find My Device (Android)	Find My iPhone	WhatsApp	Snapchat	Facebook
Real-time location tracking	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Other location tracking features	Location history	Geofencing and location history	Location report every 10 seconds	Location history	None	None	Location history
Device compatibility	Both iOS and Androids	Both iOS and Androids	Only Androids	Only iOS devices	Both iOS and Androids	Both iOS and Androids	Both iOS and Androids
Location accuracy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐
Works secretly	❌	✅	~	~	~	~	✅
Requires physical access to target phone	✅	❌	~	~	~	~	❌

After the above comprehensive comparison between all location tracking methods, it is evident that Msafely is the best way to go. We concluded this statement considering Msafely's accurate location tracking, ease of use, and ability to stay completely hidden without the need to physically access a phone to track someone's location.

Part 4. FAQs

Q1. How do I track a family member on Google Maps?

You can use the Family Link app to track a family member on Google Maps. Install the app on your phone and set up the app by adding your family members' Google accounts. You can now track their location through Google Maps.

Q2. How to request location on Snapchat?

To request someone to share their location on Snapchat, launch the app on your phone and open your chat with them. Tap on their profile picture or Bitmoji, click on Request Location, and you're done.

Q3. Can Google Maps be used as a tracker?

Yes, you can certainly use Google Maps as a tracker app. It offers location sharing and family link options to track your target person's location at all times, and that too, for free.

Q4. How do I find a specific person in Google Maps?

To find a specific person in Google Maps, ask that person to enable location services on their phone and share the location with you on the app. Once they've shared their location with you, you can find their real-time location on the map.

Part 5. Conclusion

Tracking your loved ones has become necessary for peace of mind; thus, knowing how to track someone with Google Maps or other methods can come in handy. Besides Google Maps, you can use the best GPS tracker for kids, like Msafely, for effortless location tracking and activity monitoring. Moreover, using Find My Device and Find My iPhone for Android devices and iPhones, respectively, can help you track someone. Tracking someone via shared location through social apps could be a suitable choice depending on the situation. Consider the above-detailed comparison and choose an easy yet suitable method to track your family and ensure their safety at all costs.