How to track an Android or Apple cell phone with an online GPS locator

Track a cell phone and locate a mobile phone Until recently, this was something that was only within the reach of government groups, such as security forces and state forces. However, today, thanks to the technological advances we have experienced, we have access to a wide variety of tracking methods that take advantage of this technology, such as triangulation with telephone antennas, locating a mobile phone by GPS and even by satellite. So you can easily find out where a mobile phone is for free.

Through what we will show you in this post, you will learn how locate a cell phone by gps, find a mobile online by phone number and also track smartphone through apps. Our idea is that you learn which are the various programs that will help you with such searches, and we will also teach you how to use them so that you are able to find a mobile phone in real time with all of them. This process has a large number of useful applications, and in no case violates the privacy of the subject, so you can Search for people online through your mobile without problemsIt's not an easy thing to do, but if you follow all the steps in our tutorial, everything will turn out well.

Locate a stolen or lost cell phone.

Knowing where your stolen mobile is is possible through several methods, which will vary depending on its operating system. That is, there are ways to track Android phones, phones running Windows Phone software, BlackBerry phones, iOS phones, etc. Otherwise, the procedure for searching for a person using their personal phone is similar in all cases.

When tracking cell phones, the probability of effectiveness increases if they are turned on and connected to the networkThis does not mean that a mobile phone that is simply missing cannot be located. on, for example, or it is turned off altogether. It will just be a slightly more complicated process to carry out. We will also explain to you throughout this article how to block it, as well as delete its internal data. Since the vast majority of tools and apps that we show you here offer this alternative possibility.

The operating systems themselves, knowing how important it can be to track cell phones at a given time, offer facilities when it comes to being able to find a person's cell phone number, so we must also thank them for their active participation in this type of process, offering factory access possibilities so that owners can recover their personal smartphones.

Finding the location of Android phones using Google

HTC, Motorola, LG, Alcatel, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi… all the major mobile phone brands that run Android software and their mobile models can be tracked through Google, so it is a very good way to know where a mobile phone that uses Android is for free.

And each device is associated with a Google account, so through the Google “Device Manager” section you can track your phone through the interface provided by a platform of the size of Google, and which bases its process on the Gmail account that you used to register the terminal after its initial configuration. From your PC or laptop, as well as from any other terminal with access to said medium, you can track an Android phone using Gmail.

The place you will have to visit from your mobile, PC, tablet or any other type of device will be: android.com/devicemanager, and the location of all devices that you have linked to that email account will automatically be shown to you.

However, this method will only work if your smartphone allows Google location, which has an option in its settings that you can activate or deactivate whenever you want. Always keep it active in case this type of setback happens, if your phone has been stolen and you need to track its location. This box is located in Device Settings > Services (you can find visual proof in the image above).

Otherwise, the location factor will not be real-time and will only show you the last recorded location to which you gave permission to access. It is a very good way to keep your device protected and safe for free.

This service will help you know where the mobile is for free within a radius of approximately 6 to 7KM, so keep this in mind when tracking the location of your cell phone.

Note 1: Check your device settings again, in particular that the “Show in menus” option is activated, otherwise your smartphone could remain hidden and therefore impossible to locate.

Note 2: This way of locating and tracking Android cell phones for free is perfectly compatible with the rest of the methods that we are going to teach you below.

How to Wipe and Lock Your Android Device Remotely

This is a technique that works for both mobile phones and tablets that run under this operating system, although it will require pre-configuration.

Pre-configuration

You will not only be able to reset your phone to the factory settings, but also make calls to it to contact the person who has it so they can return it to you, etc.

Although, as always, we must have given permissions and activated “boxes” in the settings menu from our phone, which allow this type of actions. If you have read this article in time and no inconvenience has happened yet, take advantage of taking precautions for the future and activate them. Again, you must access the Google Device Manager through the computer and go to “Configure options to block and erase” -> “Send”. You will then receive a message on your phone with these characteristics:

Once these permissions are granted, the administration window will change and you will be able to delete or block the device with just one click from there.

Also, in the section of "Security" You can request that an activation code be generated, which will be generated each time access to the terminal is requested to confirm that it is you who is trying to do so. Keep this in mind if you activate it, since you will have to write down this code each time you log in and renew it, otherwise you will complicate your access to it.

What happens when you enable terminal erase and lock

Smartphone lock: This feature will make it impossible for a thief to access your mobile phone if he doesn't know the password, as it will be completely impossible for him to unlock the terminal. You can also send recovery messages and even create a new phone number, which will appear on the locked screen so that anyone who finds the device can call and return it to you. You can also call the device to do the reverse process, but with the same purpose.

Wiping the mobile: Completely reset your phone to the factory settings, deleting all personal information it may contain (images, videos, music, etc.) and of course deleting all apps and the data they contain. Of course, only those stored in the phone's internal memory, and never those on the SD memory card. Be careful when doing this process, because once it's done, all the other options previously activated will also be reset, so the Android device manager will no longer work and therefore you won't be able to locate or block the phone, or track its location through the phone number.

This option requires your phone to be connected to the Internet to be performed, so the moment the connection is made, all options will return to the factory settings.

Video: Tutorial on how to track a cell phone for free using Google.

AndroidLost, a program to track cell phones with a large number of functions and utilities

The tool Android Lost It is one of the most useful when it comes to finding Android phones. One of the most effective, although with a somewhat complicated interface to use, so we will explain how to use its most significant functions.

Of course, its main function is to let you know where your stolen or lost mobile is, and that is why we included it in this list. A possibility that you can carry out through the online platform that it offers. We begin by showing you how to install Android Lost.

1. First of all we must Download the app from the Android market.
2. Afterwards, access their main website from here and create an account by registering (you will need a Gmail account to complete the registration process on the AndroidLost website).
   
3. Next, you will be asked for access to your Gmail account, allow it.
4. You will now be able to access the website normally, and in the “controls” tab you will be able to manage all the functions offered by the tool. This is the end of the Android Lost installation process.

Most relevant features of AndroidLost

Alarm: The purpose of this option is nothing more and nothing less than to activate the sound of your phone. So, if you have lost it on silent or vibrate and you are unable to find it, you can rectify this situation. It is very useful for when you have lost your terminal at home and you are unable to locate it. You activate the sound, call it and that's it!

Terminal Lock: This is a feature especially designed for when your personal smartphone is stolen, as you can completely block it, rendering it completely useless. You will need to add the PIN code to do this.

Tracker and Map: A fairly accurate approximation of the location of your Android mobile device or tablet, even if it is inside an indoor space (private homes, etc.). In addition, its location will appear visible on a map so that you can have a much closer idea of where the Android terminal you were looking for is.

Erase the contents of your phone and SD card: Another great option that will allow us to completely delete personal data from our mobile phone, such as images, videos, private conversations, etc.

Use the camera remotely and create messages: You can activate the camera function and take photos of whatever it is focusing on, so you can find out who has your device, or where it is if you have lost it. It is also possible to create messages (both text and voice messages) that will be sent to your device and serve as an alert for all those who are close to it and find it.

Video: Tutorial on how the Lost Android app works.

Track an iPhone

As with Android devices, finding iOS phones has its own specific methods for doing so. Apple itself has dried up the market (Apple Store) the tool called Find my iPhone, which is free and official, although you can also find it translated as “Where is my iPhone?” and is the most used by the brand's users for locate iPhone and other iOS devices.

Find my iPhone is the best app to track this type of device

This is the application we mentioned, which has been launched by Apple itself, so you can use it for free (and in fact you will find it pre-installed on your devices). To start tracking iOS devices you will have to access this tool, which you can do in two different ways: via the icloud.com website, or through the “find my iPhone” option with which you can search for and locate your devices of the brand, although only the most advanced models and devices contain this last function.

Note: You can find this feature (and activate it) in the section Settings -> iCloud from the phone. As we say, only available for devices running iOS 8 onwards.

How to start the search process

Via the web: From icloud.com/find and select the device in question. The location of your phone will automatically appear.

Through the app: We run the app «Find My iPhone«We select the terminal and a map will open showing the exact location of our iPhone.

Both add a very interesting option called lost mode, which completely blocks the iPhone so that it cannot be used by anyone who finds it. It is also possible to delete the internal data from the phone's memory, so any private information that was on it will be erased. Both are very useful both when you lose your phone and in cases of iPhone theft.

If you think someone may have taken it and you still have hopes of finding it, you can always leave an alert message on the screen of the phone (already locked) with information (such as another phone number, etc.) so that they can contact you and return it to you.

Video: Tutorial to learn how to use the Find My iPhone application.

Track and locate Windows Phone cell phones

It is possible to track mobile phones under this operating system as well. The program that we will use and that works best for Locate Windows Phone is the tool "Find my device«. You can download it from the official Windows Phone website and use it completely free of charge.

Once again we are offered functions of tracking (location of the Windows Phone terminal on a map), blockade and delete information stored in the phone's internal memory to thus deleting compromising photos, videos, private conversations, etc.

What are the best cell phone tracking apps in 2022?

We have already mentioned which is the best tool to locate Windows Phone mobiles and that the “Find my iPhone” app is the best for iOS devices, but There are still other apps which can be very useful, especially for those looking to track an Android cell phone due to loss or theft.

Lookout Security for Android (includes antivirus)

It is a very complete tool, which, despite being free, includes a paid option with which you can unlock the full use of each and every one of the functions included in it. One of its free options is precisely to locate your Android phone, so you won't have to pay for it. However, if you want to create alerts through messages or reset it, you will have to unlock these options via payment.

“Find My Android Phone” is a simple but very effective app.

Other free android mobile phone locator tool. However, this has the peculiarity that it must be previously installed on both the phone that is being tracked and the one that has been lost and you want to locate. Otherwise, it will not work and you will not be able to access its location.

PhoneHome, another locator for iPhones and Apple brand devices.

Another great alternative to locate iOS systems, and it is not free but it only costs 2 dollars, so it is a fairly affordable payment for everything it offers. One of its most notable functions is the one that combines the phone alert with the front camera function, since as soon as someone uses it, reads it, etc. A "selfie" will automatically be taken and the photo will be sent to see who is the person who has the phone, iPad or any other Apple brand device.

It also has a very exact precision when it comes to Locate your iPhone via GPS, and the ability to sound an alarm on it to alert everyone around.

Cerberus, the perfect tool to find stolen mobile phones

If what you are looking for is power Locate a mobile phone by its number, Cerberus is then the perfect tool for this. Among its most notable options is the possibility of controlling it remotely, and being able to perform all kinds of functions on the smartphone remotely. All in a very discreet way and through its online website.

The Cerberus app provides anyone who wants to use it with a complete online platform from which they can give orders to a phone (either their own or someone else's) even if it is not connected to the Internet.

Complete list of its most relevant functions:

• Engrave the audio around the mobile phone (ambient noise, conversations, etc.)
• Delete data from the phone's internal memory and, if necessary, also those on the external SD memory card.
• Get call logs, conversations, SMS or any other messages.
• Look through your phone's address book.
• Free, though If you want to increase the number of phones to locate, you will have to pay.
• Access any file on the SIM.
• Activate alarm sounds to alert people around you if a mobile phone has been stolen or lost.

Family Locator, an app designed for family environments.

The operation of this program is very peculiar, since it incorporates some typical elements of social networks, and which are precisely those that characterize the family focus that has been given to the app. In it, you can create family or friendship circles to be able to locate the terminals of people close to you and/or trusted at a given time. Through this mobile locator, you can find any member of your group of friends or family when you go on a trip somewhere, or simply when you are partying, visiting a crowded area, etc.

Location features included in Family Locator:

• Immediate location tracking of devices added to your trusted networks, showing the exact area on a map, all very simple and descriptive.
• Real-time tracking of devices, mapping their movements.
• Alerts that we can configure about whether someone has already arrived at a specific place or not, if they have passed it, if they are entering an area that they should not go to for any reason, etc. It is therefore very useful for monitoring both children and elderly people.
• Everything can be configured in advance.

Locate and interact with one or more mobiles at once thanks to the tracking functions provided by this app, and configure alerts to be aware of any dangerous situations that may occur in people with reduced mobility, maintain stricter control over your children, etc.

Prey anti-theft, another app to find Android mobile

The strong point of this application to locate Android cell phones is precisely its visual environment, much more intuitive and easy to use than the rest of its competition. This is all it allows you to do:

Possibility of creating periodic reports to keep your phone's location updated every few minutes.
Be able to track up to three different cell phones.
Create alerts and send them covertly.
Create text messages to appear on screen.
Compatibility with virtually any other operating system: Linux, iOS, Windows and of course Android.
Completely block your phone by adding a password that you create yourself.
Keep the app active and hidden on the phone, so you can send commands or manipulate it discreetly.

Every time you request a location report, the device automatically takes several photos with both its main rear camera and its front camera. You can learn more about all these and more features in the video below.

Love Tracker, for jealous and unfaithful couples

This is an application like any other with which you can locate and track mobile phones, whose location will appear on a map. However, it also includes other possibilities focused specifically on controlling what both people in the couple do, such as conversation history and various text messages, the possibility of accessing the call log and even seeing all the "Likes" and comments on social networks. More specifically on Facebook, although it is said that new social networks will be included as they add updates to the app.

However, what really matters to us here is the possibility of locate a cell phone With its tracking function, we leave the rest of the options to each person's evaluation as to whether they want to use them or not, depending on the type of relationship they have.

Track cell phone only with its number

There are times when you need to know the location of a phone and yet you cannot install any type of application on it (probably because it is not yours, you do not have physical contact with the terminal, etc.) Well, in In a high percentage of cases, these types of methods are simply a fraud. Pirated programs that will not offer you what you are really looking for. If it were not for the fact that they exist Large companies that do allow this type of action to be carried out, we would say that tracking a cell phone by cell phone number does not exist. However, our recommendation is that you first try one of the methods to locate cell phones for free that we have shown you before.

Spokeo, a company that does allow you to track a phone number online

Spokeo provides the consumer with a huge database with a large number of numbers that you can track to locate the location of said person. To do this, it provides you with several options with which you can: track a phone number online, although of course it is not always effective. You can test it with your own phone by adding the email account that you have associated with that device.

Go to Reverse Phone Lookup to try this method for free.

What else does Spokeo offer you?

• Possibility to search for mobile phones
• Track phones by their numbers.
• Obtain information about the person who owns the terminal (their name, age and other personal data obtained from their email and/or social networks).
• Know which telephone company you belong to.
• Get WiFi keys for access to connections and networks.
• More alternatives to know the location of a mobile phone, tablet or any other device.

Use logic to get a free locator through Google.

You can use Google's own search engine to find out the location of a phone number completely free of charge. To do this, you just have to add the number in quotation marks (command to perform an exact search) and the search engine itself will show you how to locate a smartphone.

You may be surprised by some of the search results, as they will provide you with all kinds of information related to the person who owns the number, and why or where they posted it.

There are also mobile phone locator websites, and many other information pages that focus specifically on offering a complete database with information about certain telephone numbers, user opinions about a specific number (possible scam, spam, various customer service, etc.) in order to know both the origin and the intentions of the number.

You can also find a huge list of phone numbers in the yellow pages, although the information there will obviously not allow you to know how to track a cell phone. At least, it is interesting data that can be useful to you in one way or another.

If you really want an effective method that allows you to know how to track a cell phone, paid options are probably your best bet.

Paid software that we can use to locate a mobile phone

As always, options of this type require that the software has been previously installed on the mobile to be located. However, the paid options are much more complete, allowing a full access to these devices, and even control them remotely thanks to its remote access. These are the best options today:

FlexiSpy, an ever-present option

This program is already a classic, as it has been in the "elite" of the sector for more than ten years when it comes to this type of software, so you probably already know it. In addition, this speaks very well of its functions and reliability, since if it has managed to be such a useful program for so many years, it must be for a reason. Its periodic updates adding content and adapting to new times have made it a tool that is in the co without a doubt, so its acquisition is more than recommended.

• GPS mobile phone locator that will allow you to track any area regardless of its distance.
• Possibility of tracking multiple devices.
• Listen to and record calls.
• Review the internal content of the phone: from your phonebook, SMS to images and videos, documents, installed apps, etc.
• Spy on Whatsapp chat, read private conversations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Thanks to the access it gives you to any instant messaging app or social network.
• Software compatible with all operating systems: both on the mobile phone that "sends" the data and on the one that controls it.
• More than one hundred and fifty options available with which to manage the terminal remotely through your own control panel and platform.

MSPY, another program that includes mobile tracking and localization among its functions

This is a program that will allow you to find Android cell phones, iOS (iPhone), BlackBerry, Windows Phone, etc. And it has seen its popularity grow over time thanks to the control tools it provides, which are very similar to those described above and which thus allow monitoring the activity of the little ones in the home, preventing theft or spying on cell phones remotely.

Available options:

• Each and every one of the above mentioned in the FlexiSpy program.
• Possibility of Review web history, searches made through the browser, etc.
• View any internal content on the phone, including that stored on the SD card (notes, videos, etc.)

Common uses for this type of software

• Monitor your children's location when they go out with friends.
• Create alerts that can warn of any suspicious activity or movement.
• Establish control over certain areas (both safe and dangerous).
• Controlling the movement of elderly or mentally challenged people, reduced mobility, etc.
• Knowing what your partner is doing: Who they call and who they talk to, and find out if they are cheating or hiding something from you.
• Spy on cell phones online, monitor everything that said devices do.

Answers to frequently asked questions about installing and/or using this type of software.

There are many people who have already tried this type of software, or who simply want to do so but still have unresolved doubts about its use. This section is precisely to solve all of them, and for each of us to help each other through our own experiences. Also, and although here you have the best solutions for cell phone tracking, if you know of any other software that is worth mentioning, leave it in the comments box below.

Google Mobile Locator

Using Android Device Manager is one of the best free tracking methods, as it is not only a service offered by the giant Google, but also the most famous search engine in the world has been improving it periodically since its creation in 2016, and will continue to do so. In addition, it is very convenient to be able to search and locate mobile phones through Gmail.

How to find out where a lost cell phone is?

This will essentially depend on the type of operating system your phone is running under, with several options for each in this tutorial, so if you review it from the beginning you will see them and you will be able to select the one you prefer. With what is shown here, you will be able to:

• Locate Android phones from Google and thanks to your gmail.
• Track an iPhone thanks to its “Locate my iPhone” app, which comes factory-installed and is official from the Apple brand itself.
• Use the “Find My Phone” tool specially developed to locate lost or stolen mobile phones under Windows Phone OS.

Don't you remember your Gmail account linked to these mobile devices? Don't worry

We will also teach you how to find your Gmail account, for all those who have lost their passwords, or have simply forgotten their email account on the platform due to disuse. It is a very simple process, although you will have to use Google Chrome to carry it out.

1. Open the browser and click on the three-dot button in the upper right corner, which will give you access to its settings and configuration.
   
2. Tap on “Settings” when the drop-down menu opens.
3. Scroll down with the mouse wheel until you find the “Show advanced options” function.
   
4. Next, we will have to access “Passwords and forms” -> “Manage Passwords”.
5. And that's it. In the tab that will open, you will be able to find all the emails and passwords used.

I can't find my phone! How to locate Samsung phones (Find Android)

Samsung phones are one of the easiest Android phones to track, as the manufacturer itself will provide you with an app for this, just as is the case with Apple and iPhones.

You can find it already installed on your phone, since all of them have it from the factory and it is called "Find my mobile«. It has several functions in addition to the location of the device itself, including:

• Lock the terminal

As you may have already noticed, remote locks are a constant in this type of tool, as they are probably one of the most useful functions after losing your mobile or having been the victim of a theft. This way, you will prevent anyone without the access code from accessing the internal files of the mobile, and you can also create an alert message that will appear on the locked screen notifying of the loss of said terminal, and providing relevant information for its return, such as another contact telephone number.

• Call the phone to alert anyone who may be near you

A call will be made to the phone with the tone at maximum volume, which will serve to alert all the people near it so that they can pick it up, or even if someone has stolen it, sound the alarm to confuse them and make them think they have been discovered.

• Monitor any changes to records

If you think your phone may be being spied on, or that someone (family, close friends, etc.) may have been using it secretly, you can access all call logs, messages, etc. to check.

• It tells you if they have changed the SIM

When a theft has occurred, the first thing mobile thieves usually do is change the SIM card for a new one. This act will automatically create an alert, to let you know about it.

Track a cell phone: we teach you how to find a stolen mobile phone

Now that you've made it this far, you probably already know how to track cell phones using Google (since it is the first method and also free). You can also install the recommended apps, Cerberus being one of the best in terms of operation and utilities available, such as for example the GPS cell phone tracking.

Don't forget to seek help from the police when you decide to go looking for your phone after locating it, as this will ensure that you get it back peacefully. They know perfectly well how apps work to locate stolen or lost phones, so they won't put up any obstacles.

Track cell phone by GPS and from the computer

Almost all the programs shown here have their own control panel with which you can locate your phone on a map via GPS. Using Google's free service for locating mobile phones, you can do this without even entering the panel, since through Gmail and the "Maps" service you can locate your cell phone on the map.

Locate a tablet using its serial number

When we talk about locating Android devices, we are of course also referring to a tablet. It is possible to track it via the Internet, but you will need to have previously associated it with a Gmail account.

Know where my Android cell phone is thanks to Gmail and Google

You should keep in mind that this is a method that works only and exclusively for mobile phones with this operating system, so it will not be useful if you have an iPhone, for example. We taught you the procedure and the use of the Google Device Manager at the beginning of this article, look for it for more information on this subject.

Video: Tutorial to learn how to track your mobile phone

Be careful about using methods that are not listed here, as many people use these types of needs to spy on cell phones or try to infect them and control them in some way. Do not give out any passwords or take calls from strange numbers, as they may be a scam.

There are methods and tricks that require you to enter your phone number that do work, but again you'll need to tread carefully. After all, it's your own privacy, and you can put it at risk by trusting the wrong person or service.

In addition, there are people who take advantage of this type of software to spy on other people's cell phones, thus putting people's privacy at serious risk and being able to access photos, videos, and compromising conversations, etc. The vast majority of methods of this style spread through social networks and, in fact, the YouTube platform had problems with this in 2013, when methods to spy on Android phones and those under other operating systems began to emerge.

At the moment you may be desperate to track your phone and find out where it is, but don't let this make you fall into the trap of these cell phone hacking methods or you could end up even worse off.

If what you want is search for certain phone numbers You can take advantage of online agendas and many other services on the Internet, where you will also find out what users think about the origin or purpose of the calls they make, thus avoiding numbers from companies that only spam or try to scam you.

Be wary of all those websites that tell you a single miraculous method with which you can locate a cell phone, or even spy on it just with its phone number, as well as others that simply show you a paid program. (which is probably yours, too) where all they want is profit and they don't really offer what they advertise.

There is technology with which to be able to triangulate the location of your mobile phone completely accurate, but it is obviously something that is only available to certain government groups, and not to the average Internet user, even if they already have knowledge of how to do it. access someone's location through their mobile phone using the Google or Gmail locator method, etc.

Advice: Every time you buy a new cell phone, remember that the first thing you will have to do is associate a Gmail account with it. This is a way to be prepared and be able to locate your cell phone if you lose it or any other problem arises. If you don't remember how to do it, look in the section «How to recover my Gmail account» here, a little further up in this same post.

If you've made it this far, you're probably already an expert in the process of locating mobile phones, especially with regard to how to track Android, since it is the most widely used operating system among the latest generation of smartphones.

Finding a free mobile phone is possible thanks to Google and other free software programs that we have listed above, so it is up to you: choose the method that is easiest for you and try to find out how to locate a mobile phone.

If you want to know someone's private number, you'll need to know more information about them. Although this doesn't mean you can't track their location via GPS.