Many parents concerned about their kids’ whereabouts look for the best location tracking app to help them keep tabs on their loved ones. The outside world is undoubtedly changing, and safety for loved ones is of utmost importance.
People worry when they can’t reach their loved ones, especially children and women, via phone calls. Therefore, alternative ways to trace close ones when they don’t answer phone calls or reply to text messages become necessary. And that’s where the mobile phone apps that facilitate tracking device remotely, even without the target person knowing, come in handy.
How Does Location Tracking App Work?
The working principle of location tracking apps is simple. You must install the application on the target device and then use your phone, computer, or tablet to access the person’s GPS location data remotely. Upon installation and configuration, the app displays the GPS location data on a map you can see on your device. Essentially, the GPS tracking app works so that it uses the GPS location details to pinpoint the target device’s exact location. With this data, you can seamlessly know where your loved ones are at any given time.
Perhaps, the best part is that these apps work in stealth mode. That means your target person won’t know that you’re tracking them. The app icon is usually hidden on the target device so that the person you’re tracing doesn’t suspect anything. And this is essential, especially when you don’t want to lose your teen’s trust. The app allows you to monitor their location and even activity on the device anytime, anywhere.
Top 10 Location Tracking Apps
The current market has many mobile phone location tracking apps. However, you can’t trust all of them. Some phone tracker apps are pure scams, while others don’t work as advertised. So, before you sign up and download any cell phone location tracker, you must do due diligence to ensure that you’re getting a reliable app. Here’s a list of the best live location tracking apps for Android and iOS devices.
1. GEOfinder: Real-Time Location Tracking App That Uses a Phone Number
GEOfinder is an app for tracking people’s location with their phone numbers. It uses GPS and GSM technology to track cell phones. And you don’t have to download and install the app to use it. Once you sign up and pay for the subscription, you can locate the target person by entering their phone number in a search box and following simple instructions.
Features
- It works on all mobile brands
- It supports all mobile networks
- It tracks somebody without permission
- It doesn’t require any installation
2. FamiSafe – The Best Location Tracking App for iPhones and Android Devices
FamiSafe is an iPhone and Android location tracking app that uses state-of-the-art technology to track the target people’s location and provides real-time data on their whereabouts. It provides a user-friendly and reliable way to trace the target person and find their location history, anytime, anywhere.
Also, this app’s geofencing feature enables you to set up a specific area and receive an instant notification when they leave or arrive in it. FamiSafe is an ideal location tracker for children and aged people with memory problems. Thus, you can use it as a parental control app to help you keep your loved ones safe.
Features
- Geofencing for creating a secure perimeter
- Historical and real-time location tracking
- Blocking and monitoring all apps on the Android device
- Controlling and tracking the screen time
3. Life360 – The Best Free Location Tracking App
Life360 is your best option if you need a free app for location tracking. It’s reliable and user-friendly, allowing you to trace someone without permission. The app provides an intelligent and easy way to monitor the target person’s location and information about their real-time whereabouts. Also, Life360 facilitates in-app messaging and cross-platform location sharing features. And this allows you to turn the sharing feature off if you don’t want to disclose your location.
Features
- It allows you to create Circles or private groups
- The real-time Circle members’ location
- It enables you to track a stolen or lost phone quickly
- Quick connection to a representative
4. SpyStealth – A GPS Tracking App for iPhone and Android Devices
SpyStealth is a robust Android and iPhone GPS tracking app that allows you to trace a person without permission. Once you set up this app, you can track your loved one’s current location anytime, anywhere. The app provides details of the target person’s real-time location and movements. Using this app on iOS devices requires their iCloud password and user name. However, you can use it to locate the target person’s Android device without rooting it. SpyStealth is a safe and light location tracker with accurate and fast performance.
Features
- Contacts, messengers, Gmail, photos, and social media monitoring
- Geofencing, profanity, and contact alerts
- Live control panel showing the user’s real-time activity
- Monitoring up to five devices
- 24/7 customer support
5. Google Maps – Free Smartphone Location Tracking App
Google Maps is perhaps the best location tracking app for smartphones. It is pre-installed on almost every Android phone and is available for download on the App Store. It uses GPS to track the target person’s real-time location and provides accurate results. This app can share your location with contacts, including your loved ones. Google Maps is an easy-to-use app with options for customizing your real-time device tracking requirements.
Additionally, Google Maps record past locations and displays them on the timeline. Also, you can manage your sharing options. For instance, the device owner can choose the people to see their duration and location. Perhaps, these features make it an ideal location tracking app for Android and iPhone devices.
Features
- Real-time and precise location sharing
- You can choose the users with whom to share duration and location
- It’s a free GPS tracking app for iPhone and Android devices
- It keeps the history of past locations
6. iSharing – Best Android and iOS Location Tracking App for Families
iSharing is an excellent app for tracking phone location using a GPS tracker. This app has functionalities that provide users with an extra security layer and peace of mind. Once you set up this location monitoring app, you’ll have no reason to worry about your loved one’s safety persistently. It allows you to track the target person in real-time while alerting you when they leave or arrive at a specific destination. Also, you receive alerts when the target person is nearby and panic alerts when necessary.
Features
- It sends panic alerts
- Sending automatic alerts when the target person is nearby
- Real-time tracking
- It can track a stolen or lost phone
- It allows you to review the location history of the target person
- It shows the target device’s battery status
7. Find My iPhone – Effective Smartphone Location Tracking App
As the name suggests, Find My iPhone is an iPhone location tracking app. It provides real-time location details for a lost device. All iOS devices come with this app pre-installed on them. Apart from helping you track your iPhone when you lose it, this iPhone tracking app can help you keep tabs on your loved one’s whereabouts upon sharing it.
Features
- Location sharing via iMessage or the app
- Tracking iPad location and other Apple devices
- Remote and instant locking your device
- Erasing data on the device if necessary
8. FollowMee – A Secret Location Tracking App
FollowMee is the best app for location tracking without the target person’s permission. This tracker app converts a smartphone into a real-time GPS tracking device, works with almost all smartphones, and tracks the target device’s location from the FollowMee website. Apart from multiple devices’ integration, this app has numerous features. Thus, you can use one account to monitor various devices’ locations anytime and anywhere. Additionally, FollowMee works even with poor internet connectivity. That means it can store the target’s data even when their device is offline and update the maps instantly once their network is back.
Features
- It works without internet connectivity
- It can track multiple devices simultaneously
- It allows you to track location via website
- Complete data privacy
9. Family Locator – The Best App for Keeping Tabs on Family Members
Family Locator is a real-time location tracking app that works like a silent guardian over children and other family members when they aren’t around. It sends live notifications when the target person arrives at their destination while facilitating location sharing on a family map. Family Locator is free, and it checks location history. Also, it records statistics that can help you locate a lost device. Additionally, you can set zones in the user maps to receive alerts about them. Thus, this app is ideal for people that want to track their family members’ and kids’ real-time locations.
Features
- It allows you to create private groups
- It tracks lost or stolen devices
- You can initiate tracking based on zones
- It notifies you when the target person reaches a destination
10. TrackView – The Best Employees’ Location Tracking App
TrackView location tracker enables you to locate the target device in real-time. It’s a cross-platform app that connects to smartphones and computers. This app allows you to monitor the target person’s details, including their location. Many people use it to monitor and protect mobile devices via video and GPS. Also, parents use it to track their kids’ whereabouts and what they do on their phones.
Features
- Real-time device tracking
- Web-based interface that allows remote access
- Geofencing
- Incognito mode
- Social media access
- Instant alerts
- IP camera
How to Install a GPS Tracking App
Installing and using a hidden location tracking app is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the official tracker app’s website to sign up and pay for the subscription.
- Receive a download link.
- Download the app on your phone or system.
- Open the app and enter your login credentials to log in.
- Enter basic information about the target phone, such as the phone number, operating system, etc.
- Install and configure the app on the target phone following the on-screen instructions.
- Complete the installation and start tracking the target phone’s location in real-time.
Conclusion
The world has many malicious people that may want to hurt your loved ones. And that’s a significant concern for parents with smartphones. For this reason, many parents use mobile phone tracking apps to monitor their kids’ movements in real-time and take appropriate actions if they suspect their loved one’s safety is at risk.
The current market has many GPS tracking apps. Therefore, selecting the best one is crucial by considering factors like your budget, the operating systems it supports, ease of use, features, functionalities, and user reviews. Once you’ve chosen the right app, install and configure it to start tracking your target person in real-time.
FAQ
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Cheryl Bourassa
Cheryl Bourassa is a top-tier specialist with in-depth knowledge of spy practices and methods. She’s been active in the tracking field for a decade. Cheryl is a successful tracking consultant who provides services to dozens of high-level clients worldwide that need world-class tracking services.
