4 Proven Ways to Find Someone's Location by Phone Number

Many people search for ways to track someone’s location by phone number, hoping that entering a number into a website or app will reveal a real-time location. However, it’s important to understand this first:

A phone number alone does not give you access to someone’s location.

A phone number is simply an identifier used for communication. It does not contain GPS data or any kind of built-in location information. Any service that claims to track someone instantly by just entering their phone number should be viewed with caution — many of these are scams or designed to collect your personal data.

While you can’t track someone by number alone, there are legitimate ways to locate a person if certain conditions are met. In this post, we’ll explain how to:

• Use built-in features on Android and iPhone
• Track phones with third-party apps

Let’s take a closer look at how location tracking really works — and what’s possible with a phone number.

Part 1. When Can You Track Someone’s Location Using Their Phone Number?

While a phone number alone isn’t enough, it can play a role when combined with apps or accounts linked to the device. Here are several real and legal ways you might be able to track a location — with the right access.

1. Find My Device (Android)

If the person uses an Android phone and is signed into a Google account, you can track their device location using Google’s Find My Device feature — but only if you have access to their account.

Steps to use:

Step 1. Go to Find My Device

Step 2. Sign in with their Google account

Step 3. You’ll see the device’s last known location on a map

📌 Important: You can’t just enter a phone number to track an Android phone. You must log in to the associated Google account.

2. Find My (iPhone)

Apple’s Find My app allows users to share their location with family or friends — but again, this requires permission and setup.

Steps to use:

Step 1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone

Step 2. Tap “People”

Step 3. If they’ve shared their location with you, it will appear on the map

📌 Note: Just having someone’s iPhone number is not enough. You need prior location-sharing access.

3. Family locator apps

Apps like Msafely allow families or close contacts to share their locations in real time. It’s a common misunderstanding that you can track someone simply by entering their phone number. In reality, Msafely provides a smarter, more reliable way to track someone’s location — even without installing an app, depending on the device.

How Msafely works:

📱 For iPhones: Msafely uses a secure iCloud login method. You don’t need physical access to the iPhone or to install anything. Once logged in, you can view the device’s real-time location remotely.

📱 For Android phones: Msafely offers two flexible tracking options:

•   Cloud-based option: If you have access to the Google account linked to the phone, you can track location without installing any app.
•   Quick app installation: Takes just 2 minutes on the target device. Once installed, location tracking and other monitoring features are activated.

✅ Key location tracking features in Msafely

• Real-time GPS tracking

See the person’s live location on a map with pinpoint accuracy. The system updates regularly, so you can monitor movement in real time — ideal for checking if someone has arrived safely or tracking unexpected detours.

• Location history

Want to know where someone has been throughout the day? Msafely automatically records location timelines, showing:

1. Places visited
2. Time spent at each location
3. Routes taken between locations

This feature is especially useful for parents tracking teens, or partners who want reassurance.

• Geofencing alerts

Msafely allows you to set up custom virtual boundaries (geofences) — for example, home, school, or work. You’ll receive instant alerts when the person:

1. Enters or exits a defined area
2. Stays too long in an unexpected location
3. Perfect for monitoring kids’ safety or setting limits discreetly.

• Hidden location tracking (Stealth mode)

On Android devices, once the app is installed, it works silently in the background — the target user won’t know they’re being tracked. On iPhones, everything runs remotely through iCloud, requiring no app at all.

• Cross-device dashboard

You can track locations from any browser or your own phone. No need to access the target device again after setup. Everything is synced to your Msafely user panel, where you can:

1. View live location
2. Check history
3. Set alerts
4. Manage multiple devices (great for families)

• Monitor 30+ phone activities

Beyond just GPS, Msafely allows you to monitor:

1. Call logs & text messages
2. Social media chats (WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.)
3. Browsing history
4. Photos, videos, and app usage

✅ Msafely is perfect for parents, partners, or anyone who needs peace of mind. And remember — it doesn’t track someone just by their number. It gives you real, working methods to track their phone safely and discreetly.

Steps to use:

Step 1. Go to Msafely website and sign up with your email to create a free account.

Step 2. Choose whether you want to monitor an Android or iPhone device.

Step 3. To activate full features, choose a plan that fits your needs and complete the payment.

Step 4. After payment, follow the on-screen instructions to connect with the device.

Step 5. Once connected, you can log in to your Msafely dashboard anytime to check real-time GPS location, set geofencing alerts, and view other data securely.

4. Carrier services (With authorization)

Some mobile carriers offer family tracking plans, such as:

• AT&T Secure Family
• Verizon Smart Family
• T-Mobile FamilyWhere

These services use the phone number and SIM data to locate devices, but they require account ownership or family plan inclusion.

Part 2. Comparison: Real Ways to Track a Phone — Is a Phone Number Really Enough?

As shown in the table above, a phone number alone isn’t enough to track someone’s location — it’s just a starting point for setting up legitimate tracking solutions.

👍Here’s what we recommend based on your situation:

• For parents who need ongoing location tracking without asking for consent each time, a tool like Msafely offers powerful monitoring features once installed, including GPS tracking, geofencing, and more.
• For families who want to share locations openly, using Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) is simple, safe, and free — as long as you have access to the linked account and permission.
• If you already share a phone plan, check if your carrier provides family location services, which are legal, accurate, and built into your monthly subscription.

Choose the method that fits your goal — whether it’s parental control, safety, or simply finding a lost device — and make sure it’s done legally and ethically.

Part 3. ⚠️ Beware of Scams: Can You Really Track Someone by Just Typing a Phone Number?

If a website claims that you can simply enter a phone number and instantly see someone’s location — it’s most likely a scam or phishing attempt.

Common red flags:

• Claims like “Track any phone now – free and anonymous!”
• No need for login or verification
• Requests for your personal information or payment upfront
• Suspicious domains or pop-ups

These sites may:

• Steal your personal data
• Install malware on your device
• Trick you into fake subscriptions

❗ Reminder: Legitimate tracking always requires permission or proper account access. If it sounds too easy, it’s probably unsafe or illegal.

Part 4. Conclusion

Tracking someone’s location using only their phone number may seem straightforward, but in reality, a phone number alone isn’t enough.

If you're a parent or someone looking to stay connected with loved ones for safety reasons, tools like Msafely provide reliable location tracking with greater control and insight.

And if your goal is simply to find a lost phone, built-in features like Find My or Find My Device remain the easiest and most secure options.

Part 5. FAQs

Q1. Can I really find someone’s location using just their phone number?

No, a phone number alone is not enough to track someone’s exact location. You typically need access to their device, account, or permission through an app or service like Msafely, Find My, or a family tracking app.

Q2. How to track someone’s location with a phone number on Google Maps?

You can only track someone on Google Maps if they’ve shared their location with you. To do this, they must have location sharing turned on and linked to your Google account — the phone number itself isn’t enough.

Q3. Is there a way to find someone’s location by mobile number without them knowing?

Tracking someone without their consent is often illegal and unethical. Tools like Msafely can monitor a phone with proper installation and authorization, but always ensure you follow local privacy laws.

Q4. Are online phone number tracker websites safe to use?

Most websites that claim to track a phone number without permission are unreliable or scams. They often don’t work and may risk your personal data. It’s better to use official tools or apps that follow legal procedures.