How to Track Someone's Phone in 3 Safe Methods

Have you ever needed to track a phone? Phone tracking can be beneficial for monitoring your child’s safety, finding a lost device, or ensuring a loved one’s security. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to do it.

Learn how to track someone’s phone with our five reliable methods. We’ll start with the best of them, SafeMyKid, followed by other recommendations.

Ultimately, you will realize that tracking someone’s phone is not that complicated in 2025.

Phones have advanced to share data even when people are overseas. That means tracking someone’s phone is possible even when not within your borders. Let’s see some of the ways you can deploy to track those close to you or, simply, persons of interest.

1. Tracking Someone’s Phone Using Third-Party Methods

Plenty of third-party methods claim to help you track a phone and access features remotely. Here are some of the tested and proven ones that have helped parents and employees track the phones of those concerned.

1.1 Track a Phone Using SafeMyKid (Recommended)

The first tracking solution on the list is a helpful application in family and work situations. SafeMyKid is the most reliable parental control and tracking app available today. It provides accurate real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and a user-friendly interface for Android and iPhone users.

It can work in stealth mode regardless of the targeted phone’s operating system. That way, you can track individuals without them noticing anything since the app works in the background. Another benefit of utilizing this option is that there is no rooting in Android before installation and no jailbreaking in iPhones before the setup.

All that, combined with low battery consumption, ensures that your tracking is not detected in any way. To get started, you must visit the main website and create an account for free. While there, you will notice some of the following tracking features:

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Key Phone Tracking Features on SafeMyKid

• Real-time location tracking: You can see your target’s exact location anytime. The live location can be viewed on a map, which you can also toggle to a list view. It also has a history of all the past locations visited.
• Geofencing alerts: You can also get notified when they enter or leave specific locations. All you have to set up is the geofences and an email to receive the alerts when the phone’s owner enters or leaves the zones.
• Activity monitoring: SafeMyKid can also track calls, contacts, messages, and social media activities, store files, install third-party apps, and monitor and control web activity. Such capabilities enable you to know what your target is up to at all times.
• Secure and private: It works in stealth mode, which means the icon is never visible on the home screen or the app drawer. Since there is also no rooting or jailbreaking, the targeted phone will be in the same condition as it was before the setup.

Everything you view about the targeted phone is available remotely and whenever needed. You can always log into your dashboard to check if you have an internet connection.

How to Track Someone’s Android Using SafeMyKid

You must physically access the phone once for those requiring to track Android phones using SafeMyKid. Here is how to install it on Android:

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Step 1. Create an account and install SafeMyKid from the main website on the target Android device.

Step 2. Set up permissions on Android as you install and configure the application.

Step 3. Monitor real-time locations and other activities via your dashboard.

How to Track Someone’s iPhone via SafeMyKid

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Step 1. Create an account on SafeMyKid’s website and sign in.

Step 2. Enter the iCloud credentials of the targeted iPhone when prompted during the setup. You will not need the iPhone with you if you already have the iCloud login details.

Step 3. Access and track the phone activities through the online dashboard.

Why Choose SafeMyKid?

Unlike other tracking apps, SafeMyKid is secure, accurate, and easy to use. It provides real-time alerts, ensuring you never lose track of a loved one. The installation process is not complicated at all since you don’t need any technician to make some modifications to the phone.

You also don’t need to go through such hurdles if you know how to do some of these technicalities yourself. With plenty of features, this application has more to offer.

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1.2 Tracking with Other Third-Party Apps

Several third-party apps are available for tracking a phone’s location. These apps cater to different needs, from parental monitoring to business tracking. However, their reliability varies, and some may pose privacy risks.

Common Apps Used:

• GPSWOX Mobile Tracker: Primarily used by businesses to track employee phones, ensuring productivity and security.
• Prey Anti-Theft: Designed for locating lost or stolen devices, offering multi-device tracking and remote security features.

Limitations of Tracking with Third-Party Apps

• Subscription Costs: Many third-party tracking apps require a paid subscription for full functionality.
• Privacy Concerns: Some apps may collect and misuse personal data, leading to security risks.
• Limited Support: Not all tracking apps work across multiple device types, limiting usability.

While these apps offer tracking capabilities, SafeMyKid remains the most reliable and secure option.

2. Using Built-in Tracking Features

Android and iPhone have built-in tracking features that help locate lost or misplaced devices. These tools are designed for personal security, allowing users to track their phones or family members' phones with permission.

However, they must be set up in advance to function effectively. They rely on internet connectivity and the device’s location settings being enabled.

2.1 Find My Device (Android)

Google’s Find My Device is an official tracking service for Android phones. It helps users locate lost or stolen devices, lock them remotely, and even erase data to prevent unauthorized access. This service is linked to the Google account registered on the device, ensuring security and privacy.

How to Use Find My Device

1. Go to Google’s Find My Device website or download the Find My Device app on another Android phone.
2. Log in with the Google account linked to the target phone.
3. View the phone’s location on the map. From here, you can:
• Make the device play a sound to locate it nearby.
• Lock the device to prevent unauthorized access.
• Erase all data if recovery is impossible.

Pros of Find My Device:

Cons of Find My Device:

2.2 Find My iPhone (Apple)

Apple’s Find My iPhone is a built-in feature that helps locate lost or stolen Apple devices. It integrates seamlessly with iCloud and provides real-time location tracking, allowing users to secure their devices remotely. This tool also works with other Apple products, such as iPads and MacBooks.

How to Use Find My iPhone

1. Open iCloud.com or the Find My app on another Apple device.
2. Sign in with the Apple ID linked to the lost device.
3. Locate the device on the map and take necessary actions, such as:
• Playing a sound to find it nearby.
• Enabling Lost Mode to lock the phone and display a message.
• Erasing data remotely if the device cannot be recovered.

Pros of Find My iPhone:

Cons of Find My iPhone:

Both Find My Device and Find My iPhone are excellent options for tracking phones, but they have limitations. They require the user to have enabled tracking on their device, and an active internet connection is necessary for accurate tracking.

3. Tracking a Phone Using a Phone Number

Tracking a phone using just its number is often unreliable, but legitimate methods are available. Some mobile carriers offer location tracking services for their subscribers, allowing users to track family members with prior consent.

Additionally, several online lookup services claim to provide location tracking based on a phone number, though their accuracy is questionable.

How It Works:

• Carrier tracking services: Major mobile providers offer tracking features, typically for family plans.
• Online lookup services: Various websites claim to locate phone numbers, but these may not be accurate or reliable.

Limitations of Tracking Using a Phone Number

• Accuracy issues: Many services only estimate locations rather than providing real-time tracking.
• Privacy concerns: Some sites misuse data, making security a significant concern.
• Carrier restrictions: Most official services require user consent to track a number.

If you need accurate tracking, using a dedicated service like SafeMyKid is far more reliable than depending on phone number tracking.

4. Preventing Unauthorized Tracking

While phone tracking is helpful, there are times when you may want to prevent unwanted tracking. Unauthorized tracking can invade privacy and pose security risks.

How to Stop Tracking:

• Disable GPS when not in use: Turning off location services when not needed prevents apps from accessing your location.
• Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) hides your IP address and location, making tracking difficult.
• Review App Permissions: Regularly check which apps have location access and turn off unnecessary permissions.
• Turn Off Location Services: In Android and iPhone settings, you can disable location tracking or restrict it to specific apps.

Taking these steps can protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized tracking.

Conclusion

Phone tracking can be essential for safety, security, and peace of mind. We have seen how to track someone’s phone using the five methods discussed above. SafeMyKid remains the best solution due to its accuracy and parental control features.

However, built-in tools like Find My Device and Find My iPhone provide free alternatives for lost devices.

Choose the method that best suits your needs!