What you can actually track with a phone number
A phone number alone does not let you see where someone is in real time. What you can do depends on whether the person has agreed to share their location with you, what service they use, and what tools are already set up on their device.
If someone has turned on location sharing through Google Maps, Apple Maps, or a family tracking app, you can see their approximate location through those services. If they have not, you cannot track them without their knowledge or consent — and doing so is illegal in most places. The difference between what is possible and what is legal matters before you start.
This guide covers the legitimate ways people share location data, how those services work, and what happens when someone does not want to be tracked.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Samsung Find Mobile let you see someone's location only if they have turned on location sharing with you directly.
- Family tracking apps like Life360 and Google Family Link work the same way — the person being tracked must set up the app and grant permission first.
- Tracking someone without their knowledge or consent is illegal in most states and can result in criminal charges.
- If you have lost your own phone, your carrier and your device's built-in tools (Find My iPhone, Find My Mobile, Google Find My Device) can help you locate it.
Location sharing through maps apps
Google Maps and Apple Maps both have built-in location sharing features. The person you want to track must turn this on themselves and choose to share with you.
In Google Maps, the person opens the app, taps their profile picture, selects "Location sharing," and picks who to share with and for how long. You then see their location on a map in your own Google Maps app. They can stop sharing at any time, and you will see that they have done so.
Apple Maps works similarly through the Find My app on iPhones and iPads. The person taps their name in Settings, selects "Location Sharing," and chooses who can see their location. You see them on your map in the Find My app. Like Google Maps, they control when sharing stops.
Both services show approximate location, not a precise point. The accuracy depends on GPS signal, WiFi, and cellular data. Indoors or in dense urban areas, the location may be off by a few hundred feet.
Family tracking apps and parental controls
Apps designed for families work differently from maps apps because they are meant to stay on continuously rather than for a single trip. Life360, Google Family Link, and Samsung Find Mobile are the most common.
Life360 requires the person being tracked to download the app and join a family circle. Once they do, their location updates continuously and appears on a map for other family members. Parents can set up alerts when someone leaves or arrives at a location, and the app shows battery level and driving speed.
Google Family Link is designed for parents tracking children under 13. The parent sets it up on the child's Android phone or Chromebook, and location appears in the parent's Google account. The child sees that they are being tracked and cannot turn it off without the parent's permission.
Samsung Find Mobile works on Samsung phones and tablets. The person being tracked must turn it on in their device settings and link it to a Samsung account. Family members can then see their location through the Find Mobile website or app.
All of these require the tracked person to have the app installed, turned on, and connected to the internet. If the phone is off, in airplane mode, or has no signal, location data stops updating.
Tracking your own lost or stolen phone
If you have lost your own phone, you can find it using tools built into the device itself, without needing the other person's consent.
On an iPhone, go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and select Find My iPhone. You see your phone on a map, can play a sound to help locate it, lock it remotely, or erase it if it is gone for good.
On an Android phone, go to Google.com/android/find, sign in with your Google account, and select Find My Device. The map shows your phone's location, and you can ring it, lock it, or erase it from there.
Samsung phones have a similar tool at findmobile.samsung.com. Sign in with your Samsung account and select Find My Mobile to see your device on a map.
These tools work because you own the phone and the account it is linked to. You do not need anyone else's permission.
Why tracking someone without permission is illegal
In most U.S. states, tracking someone's phone without their knowledge is a crime. The specific law varies — some states call it stalking, others call it harassment or unauthorized computer access — but the result is the same: criminal charges and possible jail time.
Federal law also covers this under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. Using a GPS tracker, spyware, or location data obtained without consent can result in federal charges.
The only exceptions are narrow: a parent tracking a minor child they have custody of, a person tracking their own device, or someone with a court order. Tracking an ex-partner, an adult child, a coworker, or a friend without their knowledge is not legal, even if you think you have a good reason.
If you are concerned about someone's safety or location, the legal path is to ask them directly, contact local police if you believe they are in danger, or work through a lawyer if custody or a protection order is involved.
What to do if you think you are being tracked
If you suspect someone is tracking your phone without your permission, start by checking what apps are installed and what permissions they have.
On an iPhone, go to Settings, select Privacy, and check Location Services. You see which apps have permission to access your location. Turn off location access for any app you do not recognize or do not want tracking you.
On an Android phone, go to Settings, select Apps, and look for unfamiliar apps. Tap each one and check Permissions to see if it has location access. Uninstall anything suspicious.
Check your Google account and Apple ID for devices linked to your account. Go to myaccount.google.com or appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look at the devices listed. If you see a device you do not recognize, remove it.
If you believe someone is tracking you illegally, contact local police and provide them with the evidence — screenshots of apps, account access logs, or anything else showing unauthorized tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track someone's phone using just their phone number?
No. A phone number alone does not reveal location. You need either the person's consent through a location-sharing app or service, or a court order. Carriers do not share location data with the public, and third-party services claiming to track by phone number are either scams or do not work as advertised.
Is there a way to track someone without them knowing?
Not legally. Tracking someone without their knowledge or consent is illegal in most states under stalking, harassment, or wiretapping laws. The only exception is a parent tracking a minor child in their custody, and even that has limits depending on the state.
What if I need to find someone for safety reasons?
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need to locate someone for custody or protection order reasons, work with a lawyer or the court system. Police can issue a welfare check or use their own tools if there is a legitimate safety concern.
Do phone carriers track location?
Carriers have location data from cell towers and GPS, but they do not share it with the public. They can share it with law enforcement under a court order or in emergencies. Some carriers offer family plans with location features, but those require the account holder to set them up and the tracked person to consent.
What if someone is tracking me through my social media?
Social media apps can access your location if you have given them permission in your phone's settings. Go to your phone's location settings and turn off location access for any app you do not want tracking you. On social media itself, check privacy settings to limit who can see your location or posts that reveal where you are.