How to Track Someone’s Phone Location without Them Knowing For Free

Tracking the phone location of others can be very useful, especially if you wish to make sure that your loved ones are alright, or if you want to find a misplaced device. Communication has been significantly improved by the current generation of smartphones that provide location-based services. Over 75% of smartphone users actively use location-based apps.

The good news is that tracking doesn’t have to cost you a dime—there are free and effective methods available.

In this guide, we will demonstrate how to track someone’s phone without them knowing for free, using applications like Google Family Link, and Google Maps, among other applications. These methods are easy to use as most of them can be found at the fingertips.

Can You Track Someone’s Phone Location without Them Knowing for Free

Yes, you can track someone’s phone location discreetly and for free using a variety of methods. All modern smartphones have built-in systems that are intended for this purpose, and you do not have to pay for them.

Apple users can use built-in features like Find My (iPhone) or Android users can simply use Find My Device. Samsung has its own Find My Mobile that only works for Samsung smartphones. These features are simple to use and often pre-installed, making them a convenient choice.

Another option is Google Family Link, a free app that helps parents monitor their child’s location on both Android and iPhone. You can also use Google Maps to share real-time location data, ideal for keeping tabs on loved ones.

Apart from these methods, there are also other phone tracker apps which include Msafely, SpyX, and SpyPhone. Some apps require payment but sometimes free versions or trials are offered. Each of these tools has its advantages and disadvantages which we will be looking at in the sections below so that you are in a position to choose the best one according to your requirements.

3 Best Phone Tracker App I've Used to Track Someone's Phone Location without Permission

I have used several phone trackers in the past, out of all of these, three of them stand out for me. They are Msafely, SpyX, and SpyPhone. Let’s discuss them.

1. Msafely

Msafely is a robust monitoring application designed to track activities on a target device. What sets it apart is its ability to operate in stealth mode, meaning the person being tracked won’t know it’s there.

Msafely is versatile, and it covers everything from real-time location tracking to monitoring social media accounts, giving you comprehensive insights into the target phone.

An interesting point is that the technology is based on cloud computing. Thanks to this, it is possible to track devices while not having installed any applications. This makes it lower on the scale of detectability as compared with conventional methods required and saves you on time and chances of being caught.

Msafely, unlike many free applications, is always upgraded so as to work very well with the current iOS and Android systems to ensure optimum performance.

Steps to use Msafely to track someone's phone without them knowing

Using Msafely to track someone’s phone is straightforward. For Android devices, you may need physical access or Google credentials, while for iPhones, only iCloud credentials are required. Here’s how to get started:

• Open an Account: From Msafely’s website create a free account with your email.

• Attach Target Phone: Now, you can attach the wannabe Android or iPhone. As soon as the connection is made, tracking will begin.

• Start Monitoring: Go to the Msafely dashboard and login to see the geographic location of the phone in use, messages sent, and calls made, along with other activities.

Msafely offers more excellent tracking features

There is a lot more to Msafely than just tracking a phone. Msafely enables users to track the following:

• Monitoring Emails, SMS, and Messages: All emails and messages including those sent via standard SMS or email apps are visible even for sent items and deleted files. 
• Viewing Photo and Video: With Mafely, you can access any media that was uploaded or saved into the target’s device including those sent via messaging applications or downloaded onto the device.
• Real-time Social Media Monitoring: Monitor on-the-go activities on such platforms as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and others.
• GPS Live Tracking: You will receive instant location updates of the switched-on device through more accurate maps.
• Browsing History Monitoring: The websites that the target phone visits will be available on the Msafely dashboard.
• Monitor History of Calls and Used Apps: This feature allows the viewing of call logs, the tracing past calls or messages, and accessing address books on the phone being tracked. You can also establish when different versions or installations of applications were done.
• Geofencing: You can define a virtual area on the target phone’s movement zone and get notified when this set area is exceeded.
• Internet Usage Monitoring: Receive reports on various internet usage including all visited pages which can be relevant for safety or monitoring needs.

2. SpyX 

SpyX is a comprehensive phone tracker application that has been specifically created to keep track of people’s activities both on the net and offline on Android and IOS devices.

SpyX offers a lot of features that make it popular among people who require extensive coverage. It tracks GPS locations, monitors social media, and keeps an eye on browsing habits.

How to use SpyX to track someone’s phone without them knowing

You can easily setup SpyX to track someone’s phone location without them knowing, here is how;

• Register an Account with SpyX and select a device: You can easily visit SpyX website, sign up, and select an Android or iOS platform subscription from the website.
• Select the Target Phone: Choose whether the device you want to monitor is an Android or an iPhone
• Begin the Tracking Process: After the sync process, you will be able to start monitoring the activities of the device including its whereabouts.

SpyX offers more excellent tracking features

SpyX has so many wonderful tracking features; some of which include the following:

• Social Media Activity Monitoring: Monitor messages and other activities on WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook and even recover deleted messages and posts.
• Phone Calls and Text Messages: Call logs and SMS messages can all be viewed with SpyX and it is also possible to monitor messages containing certain keywords to receive alerts regarding harmful content.
• GPS Track: You can view the current location of the target phone and how it has changed over a period of time.
• Web Activity: This feature lets you know what sites have been visited in addition to knowing what has been searched.
• App Monitoring: This lets you view the apps that are installed on the target device.
• Keylogging: Access everything typed on the device, from messages to login credentials.

3. SpyPhone

SpyPhone is a free, user-friendly phone tracker app designed primarily for couples to monitor each other's devices. It helps in gathering evidence discreetly, often used to resolve trust issues. It also has an easy setup process with minimal requirements.

Steps to use SpyPhone to track someone’s phone without them knowing

Follow these steps to use SpyPhone to track someone’s phone without them knowing

• Create an Account: Enter a valid email on the SpyPhone website to register.
• Choose the Phone Model: Select whether you’re monitoring an Android or iOS device.
• Begin Monitoring: Follow the instructions to connect the target phone and start tracking its location and activities.

SpyPhone offers more excellent tracking features

Here are some monitoring features of SpyPhone;

• Gather Evidence: Helps monitor activities discreetly to gather evidence of infidelity or build trust.
• Completely Undetectable: Leaves no trace on the monitored device, ensuring the user remains unaware.
• Cross-Device Monitoring: Works on both Android and iOS devices, offering versatile tracking options.

3 Free Ways to Track Someone's Phone Location without Them Knowing (Android & iPhone)

So if you want to track a phone, maybe your child’s phone and you want to use free methods, then no worries there are some free methods you can try. Let’s discuss three of them.

Method 1. Using Built-In Phone Features

If you’re looking to track someone’s phone for free, there are built-in features on most smartphones that make it easy. These methods are reliable and don’t require downloading additional apps.

#1. Find My (iPhone)

This feature can be used to locate another person’s iPhone ( and is commonly referred to as Find My iPhone. It is extremely simple to use and only works if the device has internet access through Wi-Fi or mobile data. Note these other requirements;

• For the Find My iPhone feature to be used, the target phone must have the ‘Find My iPhone’ function enabled.
• The phone has to be linked to an iCloud account.
• You require iCloud login details of the phone you intend to follow.

What can Find My iPhone do?

• Real-Time Location Tracking: View the phone’s current location on a map.
• Last Known Location: If the cellphone is off, check where it was last connected.
• Remote Locking: Lock the device to secure it and prevent any usage without prior authorization.
• Erase Data: This option enables the user to erase everything from the electronic device when the electronic device is completely out of reach.

Steps to use Find My iPhone to track someone's phone location without them knowing

• Turn on Find My iPhone: On the device you want to track, tap Settings, iCloud, Find My iPhone, and turn it on.

• Access the Location: Sign into the iCloud using the credentials of the target phone or use Find My on some other Apple device's app.
• Take Action: In the app or website, you may determine the phone's whereabouts, make it ring to locate it, or even wipe its content altogether if necessary.

Pros and cons of Find My iPhone:

Pros	Cons
Pre-installed and easy to use.	Requires the device to be connected online.
Tracks last known location if the phone is off.	Only compatible with Apple devices.
Allows remote actions like locking or erasing.

#2. Find My Device (Android)

For Android users, Google Find My Device is an excellent free tool for tracking phones. It works similarly to Apple’s feature. With Find My Device, you can track a phone, play a sound, or secure it remotely.

Requirements for using Find My Device to track someone’s phone location:

• The “Find My Device” feature needs to be activated on the target phone.
• A Google account has to be linked to the phone. 
• You need the Google account credentials for the phone you wish to track.
• The phone must have location services turned on.

If you want to track someone’s phone through Google Find My Device, here is how to go about it:

• Turn on Find My Device: Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device on the target phone and turn it on.

• Sign In to Google: Use the target device’s Google account credentials to log in at Google Find My Device.

• Track and Control: From the dashboard, track the phone’s location, lock it, or erase data if necessary.

Pros and cons of Find My Device:

Pros	Cons
Free and pre-installed on Android devices.	Requires an internet connection for tracking.
Easy setup using a Google account.	Location accuracy may vary.
Allows remote locking or erasing.

#3. Find My Mobile (Samsung)

Samsung’s Find My Mobile is part of the SmartThings Find ecosystem, designed for tracking Samsung devices. It offers offline capabilities and additional features like checking the phone’s battery level.

Requirements for using Find My Mobile to track someone’s phone location:

• The phone must be a Samsung device with the “Find My Mobile” feature enabled.
• The device must be signed into a Samsung account.
• You need the Samsung account credentials for the device you want to track.
• Location services must be turned on. 

What can Find My Mobile do?

• Offline Tracking: Shows the last known location even if the phone is offline.
• Remote Unlock: Unlock the phone remotely if you forget the password.
• Integration with SmartThings Find: Track multiple Samsung devices in one place.

How to track someone phone without them knowing using Samsung’s Find My Mobile:

• Turn on Location Services: On the target phone, go to Settings > Location and turn it on.

• Activate Find My Mobile: Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Find My Mobile and toggle it on.

• Log In to Samsung Account: Use the account credentials at Find My Mobile to track the phone.
• View and Control: Track the phone’s location, lock it, or erase its data remotely.

Pros and cons of Find My Mobile:

Pros	Cons
Can track last known location offline.	Limited to Samsung devices.
Allows remote unlocking and wiping.	Requires a Samsung account for access.

Method 2. Using Google Family Link (Android & iPhone)

Google Family Link is a free app designed for parental controls, but it can also help you track someone’s phone location secretly. While the app is more robust for Android devices, it has some functionality on iPhones too.

Using Google Family Link (Android)

With Google Family Link on Android, you can track someone’s real-time location on Google Maps, monitor their app usage, and even manage their screen time.

Requirements for using Google Family Link (Android):

• The device you want to track must be an Android smartphone.
• Both devices (yours and theirs) must have Google accounts.
• The Google Family Link app must be installed on both devices.
• Real-time tracking requires an active internet connection.

Steps to set up Google Family Link (Android) to track someone’s phone location:

• Download the App: Install Google Family Link from the Google Play Store on both devices.

• Create a Family Group: Sign in with your Google account and create a family group. If the target doesn’t have a Google account, create one for them.
• Link Their Device: On their phone, accept the Family Link invitation and connect their account to the group.

• Hide the Monitoring: Remove Family Link notifications from their phone, or hide the app by using home screen settings.
• Start Tracking: Use the Family Link app to view their location on Google Maps, manage screen time, and monitor app activity.

Using Google Family Link (iPhone)

Although more limited than on Android, Google Family Link can track basic activity on iPhones. However, real-time location tracking is not as detailed. There are some requirements for using Google Family Link on iPhones

• The two devices must have Google accounts.
• The Family Link App has to be installed on the iPhone you wish to track and your phone.
• Internet access should be available on the mobile device.

Steps to set up Google Family Link (iPhone) to track someone's phone location:

• Install the App: Google Family Link is available for download on the App Store.
• Create a Family Group: Use your Google Account to create a family group and add the iPhone user to the family group.
• Link Their Device: Connect the accounts by accepting the invitation sent to their iPhones.
• Clear Notifications: Delete Family Link notifications from their devices for privacy reasons.
• Start Monitoring: Basic activity such as screen time and the number of applications can now be tracked. However, the tracking of the device is less than that of Android.

Pros and cons of Google Family Link

Pros	Cons
Free to use with no subscriptions required.	Complex setup, especially for discreet use.
Real-time location tracking on Android.	Limited location tracking on iPhone.
Ability to manage apps and set time limits.	Requires internet for tracking and updates.
Notifications can be hidden for stealth.	May not go unnoticed by tech-savvy users.
Works across Android and iPhone.	Not ideal for long-term tracking of iPhones.

Method 3. Using Google Maps (Android & iPhone)

Another free and easy technique of tracking a person’s phone is through the use of Google Maps on both iPhone and Android. It works better if the application is already on the phone which is the case with most smartphones. Keep these requirements in mind;

• The user ought to have Google Maps installed on the target handset.
• You must have their Google account login details or permission to allow or set location sharing.
• There must be a working data connection and location service for this to work.

Steps for tracking somebody’s cell phones using Google Maps for both Android and iPhone:

• Step 1: On their phone, open google maps, tap the menu icon on the screen, and select location sharing.

• Step 2: There, check the box that indicates “Share Your Location”, and then either opt to share your location indefinitely or specify a time limit.

• Step 3: Forward the hyperlink of the location to yourself, by email, SMS, or another application.
• Step 4: Open the link you just sent in your email, see their current location automatically, and start tracking. Alternatively, go to Google Maps, sign in to their Google account, and click on the “Location sharing” option to check their location.

Pros and cons of Google Maps

Pros	Cons
Free and pre-installed on most devices.	Requires the tracked phone to stay online.
Simple and user-friendly interface.	Lacks advanced tracking features.
Works on both Android and iPhone.	Requires access to the Google account.
Real-time location tracking is accurate.	Notifications may expose tracking attempts.

Other Ways You can Try to Track Someone's Phone Location without Them Knowing for Free

You might not want to use any of the methods discussed above. There are other ways you can also use to track someone's phone location without them knowing for free. Let’s discuss them;

Method 1. Track Phone Location for Free by Phone Number

Tracking someone's phone location by phone number is one of the simplest methods. Some online services allow you to track the general area of a phone based on its number.

Requirements to track someone's phone location by phone number for free:

• You need access to the phone number of the person you want to track.
• The service should support the phone number's region and provider. 

Steps to track someone's phone location by phone number for free

• Choose a reliable reverse phone lookup service, such as Truecaller or Whitepages.
• Enter the phone number you want to track into the search field.
• The service may provide details like the phone's registered location or area code. However, this is typically a general area, not an exact location.
• Some services may offer additional features for more detailed tracking, but they might charge a fee for these services.

The pros and cons of free phone location tracking by phone number:

Pros	Cons
Easy to use with minimal setup.	Limited accuracy; only provides general area.
Many services are free or offer trial versions.	No real-time location tracking.
can be used to determine who owns a phone number.	Not effective for unregistered phone numbers.

Method 2. Track a Phone Location for Free with Cell Phone Carrier Service

Many cell phone carriers provide family locator services, which allow you to track the location of devices on your account. These services are free if you are part of the same family plan or have parental control features activated. The benefit of using a carrier's service is that it often provides highly accurate and real-time tracking, directly from the carrier’s network.

Requirements  to track a phone location for free with cell phone carrier service:

• Both devices must be under the same carrier account, often as part of a family plan.
• You may need to set up location sharing or get the target phone's consent, depending on the carrier's policies.

Steps to track a phone location for free With cell phone carrier service:

• Log into your account with the carrier through their website or mobile app.
• Look for the “Family Locator” or “Device Location” feature.
• Register the phone you want to track under your account or family plan.
• Once activated, you can access the phone's real-time location directly from the carrier's platform.

Pros and cons of tracking a phone location for free with cell phone carrier service:

Pros	Cons
Real-time location tracking is highly accurate.	Requires the device to be registered under the plan.
No need to install third-party apps.	May need prior consent from the target device.
Included free with many family plans.	Limited to specific carriers and regions.

Method 3. Track a Phone Location for Free via Location Sharing Feature of Social Apps

Social apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat have built-in features that allow users to share their real-time location with others. Instagram for instance has a feature of location tagging. You can pinpoint a particular message as well as indicate where it was sent from. These features can be useful if you have access to the target person’s cell phone and they share the location feature.

Yes, these apps are primarily used for communicating. However, if you have their permission in the first place or if you possess their phone, you can track a person’s phone location via these apps’ location-sharing feature.

Requirements for tracking a phone location for free via location sharing feature of social apps

• The target phone must have location services and sharing enabled in the app.
• Both the apps require an active internet connection whenever sharing locations live.

Steps for tracking a phone location for free via location sharing feature of social apps:

Let’s use WhatsApp and Snapchat as an example;

• Open WhatsApp or Snapchat on the target phone and go to the ‘share my location’ tab.
  • For WhatsApp: Go to any open chat, click on the attachments icon, and click on the location option. Afterward, click on the ‘Share Live Location’ option and choose how long you wish to share the location.

• For Snapchat: Open the appropriate chat, swipe the chat screen up so all options will be visible on the screen, and click on the “share my location’ icon.

• When you activate the location-sharing feature, you will be able to see the location of the target view on your own device screen.
• You will get these updates periodically based on how long the respective movements are to be shared.

Pros and cons of tracking a phone location for free via location sharing feature of social apps:

Pros	Cons
Free and easy to use with apps many people already have.	Requires physical access to the target phone for setup.
Provides real-time location tracking.	Target user may notice that their location is being shared.
No need for additional installations or third-party software.	Duration of sharing may expire after a set period.

What is the Best Way to Track Someone's Phone Location without Them Knowing for Free

After evaluating all the methods above, it's evident that Msafely stands out as the best option for discreet phone tracking. Its comprehensive tracking features, intuitive user interface, and excellent customer support make it superior to other methods. Below is a table comparing all the methods

Method	Features	Ease of Use	Accuracy	Stealth Mode	Cost	Best For
Msafely	Advanced location tracking, call/message monitoring, alerts	Very user-friendly	Extremely accurate	Highly Stealthy	Free & Premium	Comprehensive monitoring needs
Google Family Link	Location tracking, parental controls	Easy for parents	High (limited to kids)	Limited	Free	Monitoring children under 13
Google Maps Sharing	Real-time location sharing	Simple to set up	High	Not Stealthy	Free	Tracking with permission
Find My Device/iPhone	Find lost devices, limited tracking	Easy to use	High	Not Stealthy	Free	Locating personal devices
Track Phone Location for Free by Phone Number	Tracks location via public databases or specialized services	Moderate	Moderate	Limited	Free	Finding location with limited details
Track a Phone Location for Free with Cell Phone Carrier Service	Location tracking through carrier apps or family plans	Requires account setup	High	Limited	Free	Monitoring family with carrier plans
Track a Phone Location for Free via Social Apps	Uses location sharing features (e.g., WhatsApp, Snapchat)	Easy with access	High	Limited	Free	Checking location via shared apps

All these methods are useful in specific scenarios, but Msafely provides the most comprehensive, user-friendly, and discreet tracking solution for a wide range of needs.

FAQs about Track Someone's Phone Location without Them Knowing for Free

Q1. Is it possible to type in a phone number and find a location free online?

Yes, some websites say they can offer this service, however, there are very few that do a good job of it. The most reliable methods are Google Maps or your carrier. 

Q2. How to track a phone number?

You can try reverse lookup tools or contact the phone’s carrier for location tracking. However, these methods usually require permission or legal approval.

Q3. Can I track location by phone number?

Yes, but it’s not as simple as typing a number into a website. You’ll likely need an app or service that can access location data securely.

Q4. What is the best phone tracker app without permission?

The best phone tracker is Msafely. The strength of Msafely lies in its stealth mode, the user-friendliness, and location accuracy of the software. It can be used for monitoring discreetly.

Q5. How can you track a mobile phone for free?

Free options include using Google Maps’ location sharing, Find My Device, or built-in carrier services. These are easy and don’t require extra apps.

Q6. How to locate a lost Android phone?

You can use Google’s Find My Device to pinpoint its location, lock it, or erase its data. This is a free and reliable way to protect your device.

Conclusion

This guide has covered some of the best free and effective options for Android and iPhone users.

We have discussed methods like built-in features (Find My Device, Find my iPhone, Find my mobile) Google Family Link, and much more. For more advanced tracking, apps like Msafely and SpyX provide comprehensive tools.

However, there is always the need to be responsible and ethical in how these methods are used, as there is a need to balance privacy with the need to secure loved ones or lost devices. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure that it will be compatible with your requirements and situation.