What does it take to leverage GPS to locate a phone? Modern phones use a variety of network connections, including GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspots, and cell tower triangulation. It makes sense to use GPS technology to track your phone. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can enjoy, which this guide will explore.
How does GPS work on a cell phone?
Your smartphone’s GPS picks up signals from at least four satellites, which transmit their location and the time the signal was sent. So, when the GPS receiver calculates the time it takes for each signal to reach the phone, it determines its precise location. This is the process of triangulation. Besides satellite signals, your cellphones also use nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi networks to refine location accuracy further.
That said, there is a difference between your cellphone’s GPS and traditional GPS navigation devices. Unlike traditional GPS devices, your smartphones integrate additional data sources, including mobile networks and online maps. This allows it to provide real-time updates and more dynamic navigation features.
How to locate a cell phone by GPS
Now that you’ve considered how cell phone GPS tracking works, let’s examine the different tools that leverage the GPS receiver within your phone to initiate the triangulation process.
Inbuilt location service
Your smartphone has native features that can access the GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to serve as a cell phone GPS tracker. These services are also why your navigation, weather updates, and location-based apps work.
Google Find My Device
Google’s Find My Device is a feature for Android phones. It leverages GPS to track a phone, especially when lost or stolen. Using this feature, you can find your missing phone’s real-time location, make it ring (even when it’s on silent, lock it, or erase all of its data. Google Find My Device also offers location history to trace the last known location of your device when it’s offline or out of range. Here’s how to use Google Find My Device:
- Log into your Google Account via the Find My Device portal on a computer or smartphone.
- After you’ve logged in, select the device from the list of smartphones and devices associated with your account.
- Once you pick the correct device, the location will show up on the map. If there are no devices connected, you’ll see that right away.
Samsung Find My Mobile
Samsung Find My Mobile also lets you use GPS to locate a phone. This tool can also lock, make it ring, or erase your Samsung device remotely. The Samsung Find My Mobile especially leverages the Samsung Cloud. It could also retrieve call logs and messages from that device. Here’s how to use it as a cell phone GPS tracker:
- You need the Find My Mobile feature enabled on your Samsung phone beforehand using the navigation Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile.
- Your Samsung account must also be linked to the device.
- In the future, visit Find My Mobile and log in with your Samsung account.
- Pick the lost device from the list, and its location will appear on a map.
- You will have additional options to “ring,” “lock,” or “erase data.”
Apple Find My iPhone
Apple Find My is a reliable cell phone GPS tracker to monitor your iPhones, iPads, Mac and Apple watch. You can also use this tool to play a sound to locate the device when nearby. Or you can enable “lost mode” to lock the device and display a contact number. This tool also makes it possible to remotely erase your Apple devices.
- Apple Find My iPhone only works after you’ve enabled the Find My feature. You can do so by going to “Settings” > “Your name” > Click on “Find My” > “Find My iPhone.”
- Ensure Location Services are turned on.
- Visit iCloud Find My iPhone or use the Find My app on another Apple device.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select the lost device to view the location on the map.
Use GPS tracking apps
You can also use third-party GPS phone number trackers, which can process the GPS receivers on your phone with varying levels of accuracy.
Phone Tracker and GPS Location
This phone tracker and GPS location tool helps determine where your phone is in real time. It would display your real location on a map, help share location with friends, calculate distance between two places, and view location history. Here’s how it works:
- Download the phone tracker and GPS location tool on an Android phone.
- Register on the app using your email and preferred password.
- Once signed up, you can see the location of your device from another phone or computer using the same login details.
Phone Tracker- GPS location
This GPS phone number tracker is a 3rd-party app that works on your iPhone. It provides the means to share your location with your loved ones and your other devices using circles. All you need to do is create circles that can ask your loved ones to join using their phone numbers. Once they do, you can all use GPS to track a phone whenever it’s needed. Again, to use it:
- Download the iPhone Phone tracker.
- Launch the app and register using your phone number and preferred password.
- Once you’re logged in, tap on the “Circles” button and label your new Circle.
- Then tap the “Add” button to add new people.
- It will send an invitation to your loved ones or secondary devices to join up alongside a unique 6-digit number.
- Besides using it as a mobile GPS tracker, you can also set up Geo zones and the emergency SOS button.
Use an online GPS phone tracker
LocatePhone is a fantastic way to leverage GPS to locate any phone. Besides GPS, LocatePhone also uses cell tower data and Wi-Fi networks to triangulate the position of your devices. Hence, you have a unique tool to keep track of all your devices alongside your loved ones in real-time. You’ll especially love how this third-party tracker is capable of providing seamless accuracy and worldwide tracking capabilities. Here’s how it works:
- Go to the LocatePhone cell phone GPS tracker.
- Enter the phone number you ant to track
- Wait for tracking to activate.
- Enter your email address to complete your account creation.
Track via mobile carrier
Your mobile carriers also provide dedicated family safety or location sharing services. These services are designed to give you umbrella tracking coverage for your family, especially young children. As long as they use the same carrier as you and are likely under your network account, you can track them. Here are some popular examples you could try.
Verizon Smart Family
Verizon Smart Family is a third-party app that leverages connections between apps you would install on your phones and tablets to provide real-time tracking. Besides real-time location tracking, you will also be able to filter the content these phones access, limit, and monitor their internet use, among other unique features. As a cell phone GPS tracker, here’s how Verizon Family works:
- Download the Verizon Smart Family app on your smartphone.
- Sign in using your MyVerizon user ID and create a profile for yourself and your other devices (You should have already signed up for it using your myVerizon website as well).
- Download the Verizon Family Companion apps for Android and Apple.
- Set it up using the details from the dependents already entered in your primary app.
- Once done and paired, your Verizon Family dashboard updates with access to their call and text activity, web and app activity, driving insights, and location data.
AT&T Secure Family
AT&T Secure Family also combines Wi-Fi and GPS tracking to help you keep track of your family member’s devices. It’s a suitable solution for location tracking, alongside setting up safe zones and connecting with loved ones during emergencies. It also monitors the top three apps they use and websites they access daily.
- Go to your AT&T dashboard and sign up for the AT&T Secure Family (First 30 days is free, after which it is $7.99 monthly).
- Download the AT&T Secure Family online to your primary device.
- Add the Secure Family Companion apps to your children’s devices and pair them with your own device by sending an invitation to them via email or SMS. If you have their device in hand, you can scan a QR code.
T-Mobile FamilyWhere
T-Mobile FamilyWhere service is designed to use GPS to track your phone on your account. It’s also designed for tracking your family members, giving you a rounded view of their location history, app, and website access. However, you would generally use the FamilyWhere app to track Android devices, even as you can set up your parent dashboard on a computer or iPhone. Here’s how it works:
- Go to your T-Mobile account and tap Profile.
- Next, select “Family Controls” followed by “FamilyWhere”
- Click “Get Started” and fill in the necessary information.
- Select and label the phones you want to locate in real time.
- Download the T-Mobile FamilyWhere app.
- Go to Settings and tap on “My Family”
- You can add new family members or view existing accounts.
How to locate a cell phone if the GPS is off
When your phone is off, GPS often stops working. However, you can still locate it depending on the tracking approach you use and a few tricks.
WiFi location tracking
Even without GPS, your phone might still be connected to Wi-FI networks. So, it’s possible to scan for nearby Wi-Fi routers even when they are not connected. In the same way, certain devices may leverage that Wi-Fi connection to estimate the location of your phone. Tools like Google Find My Device and iCloud Find My iPhone also leverage this feature to provide the details of your phone’s last known location. Here’s how it works:
- On Android, go to Google Find My Device.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Select the device, and if GPS is off, it will show the last Wi-Fi-based location.
On iPhone:
- Visit iCloud Find My iPhone and log in with your Apple ID.
- Pick the correct smartphone and you’ll see its approximate location based on Wi-Fi signals.
Use the phone’s IP address
Every device connected to the internet has an IP address that can be used to reveal its general location. Tools like LocatePhone IP tracker can harness that information to give you the approximate location of your smartphone. Here’s how it works:
- Go to LocatePhone IP tracker.
- Enter the phone number of the target device.
- Wait for results and enter your email address.
- Pay the tracking fee, and if it’s online, the site will estimate its city, or ISP location.
Google Timeline
If you have Google Maps on your Apple or Android phone, it can also keep a record of your location history. Always remember this only works if you’ve previously set up your Google account on that app, alongside having your location turned on. Whenever you want to find the last known location before GPS turned off, here’s what you should do:
- Open the Google Maps app or visit the Google Maps website.
- On the app, tap on your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. On the website, you’ll need to log in.
- Next, select “Your Timeline” and review where your phone last pinged before the GPS turned off.
FAQ
Is there a GPS tracker that is free?
Yes, both Android and iPhone have built-in free tracking solutions. You can use the Android Google Find My Device or the iPhone Find My iPhone. Third-party apps like Life360 also have free tiers for GPS location tracking.
Does GPS still work when the phone is off?
GPS requires your phone to be powered on and connected to the internet. But it is still possible for your phone to show the location it was at before shutdown. However, you must set up your iPhone or Android Find My app to access this location data.
Can a cell phone detect a GPS tracker?
Yes, iPhones alert users about unknown AirTags around them. If you’re using a newer version of Android phones (Android 12 and recent), you can also detect familiar Bluetooth trackers around you. You could also use anti-spyware apps to scan for malicious tracking software.
How to turn on GPS on an Android phone?
On an Android phone, all you need do is turn on Location and then keep your Mobile Data/Wifi on as well. This means either swipe down and tap on the Location/GPS icon in your quick-access menu. Alternatively, you can go to “Settings” and then “Location” and toggle on.
Conclusion
Now you know amazing GPS tracking can be. Fortunately, there are built-in GPS tracking tools, carrier family tracking solutions, and online tracking apps you can always use. And when your GPS is turned off, you have alternatives like Wi-Fi tracking, IP address tracking, and Google Timeline as backup. When in doubt, opt for a straightforward online tool like LocatePhone that allows you to keep track of all your devices in a matter of moments.
