What if you want to track a caller’s location? Perhaps, you want to check on an elderly parent, monitor your child’s safety, or keep tabs on a loved one during travel. These are scenarios where using a phone call tracker is essential. This article will show you all the best techniques and, most especially, phone call location trackers you can use.
Can you trace a phone call?
Tracing a phone call’s origin is possible, but it depends on the results you want. For instance, tracing a call origin involves examining call metadata, which can reveal the general location of the caller. It relies on cellular network infrastructure, specifically the cell tower to which the phone connects for the network. In contrast, real-time GPS requires satellites and dedicated phone call location tracking services. GPS tracking provides live location updates, showing real-time movement. However, in terms of usage, GPs tracking is mainly used for personal safety, navigation, and fleet management. Tracking call origins directly is leveraged by law enforcement and emergency services..
How to track a phone call location
These days, there are several call location tracking tools you can use. Some tools require installing an app on the origin’s phone. Others use other forms of stealth location tracking to get you the answers you desire.
Use a phone call location finder
One of the best tools you should try is a phone call location finder. These tools help you identify the location of the phone number when a call is received. A great choice is LocatePhone. It can provide you with precise caller location by phone number in a matter of moments. Here’s how to begin using this tool:
- Go to LocatePhone and enter the phone number you want to search for.
- Hit the Locate Button.
- Wait a few seconds for tracking to begin.
- Enter your email address to access your account and check the status of your call location monitoring.
Through the caller ID tracker
If you use an Android smartphone, you can try this Caller ID and number Locator. These apps do a decent job of managing your phone calls by helping pinpoint the city and state from which you received that unknown call. This tool isn’t best for granular location tracking, such as identifying their exact GPS location. However, it will provide valuable insights on where they are in the world. To use this:
- Install the Caller ID & Number Locator on your Android phone.
- Next, register your details with the phone number locator.
- Enter the phone number you want to track, plus the country code, into the bar at the top of the screen.
- Wait for location tracking to begin and access the results.
With reverse phone lookup
Reverse phone lookup tools won’t find callers’ precise location. In truth, they aren’t dedicated phone call location trackers. However, they can offer insights into the phone call’s owner, including their full name, mailing and email addresses, social media profiles, and more. These tools work by analyzing public records and social media networks associated with that phone number. A great choice is WhitePages, and here’s how it works:
- Go to the WhitePages Reverse phone lookup service and enter the phone number to be found.
- Hit the “search” button.
- You’ll find the preliminary spam score on the phone number.
- To access the full report, hit the “View Owner’s name” button.
Contact mobile carriers
Your mobile carriers may also help with your call location tracking. Some service providers allow you to trace the last incoming call by dialling a code after the call. However, these calls typically do not provide details about the caller’s precise location. Instead, they will advise you on the caller’s legitimacy. However, mobile carriers are more likely to help individuals block their lost or stolen devices. So, if you’re trying to track your lost or stolen device, you should call your mobile carrier’s customer service. Otherwise, they generally keep the call location tracing for circumstances related to criminal or terrorism activities. This usually requires law enforcement to obtain legal authorization.
Use GPS sharing apps
GPS sharing apps are also great ways to track a caller’s location. These apps leverage your phone’s built-in GPS location tracker to offer the precise location of the target phone for some time. Usually, they require prior knowledge of the person you wish to track to ensure installation of a GPS app on their phone. Others can allow you to send location tracking requests to them, which, once they receive and accept, will help you get their location details. Let’s talk about two options.
Life360
Life360 is a family tracking solution that leverages your built-in GPS location tracker to keep track of your physical location. When set up for the entire family, you can see how your loved ones move from one location to the next. Plus, these apps come with geofencing, location history, alerts for the content on your children’s phone, app activities, and more. Here’s how to begin using it:
- Install the Life360 app on your primary phone and tap the “Get Started” button.
- Enter your details to create an account.
- Next, tap the “create a circle” bar to begin.
- This would generate a code.
- On your children’s phone, download the Life360 app again and tap the “join a circle” button.
- Enter the code. Once done, your children’s profile becomes complete and visible from your own Life360 app.
Google Maps location sharing
Google Maps is also a great tool to share your real-time location with friends and family. However, you can only request that your friends share their location with you after you’ve begun sharing yours with them. Here’s how to begin:
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
- Tap the profile picture in the top right.
- Next, click the “location sharing” button.
- Select “new share”.
- Choose the phone number or email address you wish to share. Alternatively, you can pick the “More options” and then “copy to clipboard” to copy your location sharing link for other messaging options.
- Pick the duration, and they will receive a notification of your live location.
Use the emergency call features
One of the best ways to trace a call origin is by using the emergency services. These services, such as 911 and 112, involve locating callers in distress even without a GPS app. They are helpful for urgent situations, but they are not available for personally tracking someone.
FAQ
How do I trace unwanted phone calls?
You can trace unwanted phone calls using reverse phone lookup services like WhitePages and location finders like LocatePhone. These tools will help you achieve all the information you need on their city, region, and even precise GPS coordinates. You should use them whenever you receive calls from suspicious callers or malicious agents looking to siphon your sensitive data or money.
Can someone track my phone calls without me knowing?
Yes. However, this usually occurs when malware or spyware is installed on your phone, allowing it to track your location secretly. Typically, most tracking solutions require installing an app or clicking on a shareable link. Beyond that, law enforcement can track calls via carriers with a warrant.
How can I know if my phone calls are being tracked?
Typically, this occurs by installing spyware on your device. These apps work in the background, but there are clues to know they are there. First, look for suspicious apps with high permissions or apps you don’t remember installing. You might also notice unusual battery drain, overheating, strange noises, or echoes during calls.
Conclusion
Tracking a caller’s location can happen in different ways, but the results you need determine the tools you use. For general tracing, you can use reverse phone lookup services or caller ID apps. If you want real-time tracking, then you need tools like LocatePhone, Life360, or Google Maps Location Sharing. These tools will provide live updates, which can be handy when trying to find your loved one’s whereabouts.
