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Best Apps To Track Cell Phone Location In 2024
Tracking a cell phone's location can serve various practical purposes. Parents, for example, want to know their children's whereabouts for safety reasons. Business managers may also rely on GPS monitoring to track assets and ensure smooth team management.
However, common tracking methods like location sharing have their limitations, and might not be suitable for emergency situations or more advanced monitoring needs. In such cases, tracking apps provide superior accuracy and functionality.
For such cases, we compiled a list of the best cell phone trackers with noteworthy features like live location tracking, location history, and automatic geofencing alerts.
How to Track Cell Phone Location Right NowMany phone number trackers promise quick and easy GPS monitoring, but not all deliver.
We did the research and put together a list of only the most reliable tracking solutions suited for various use cases:
Our in-depth reviews will help you pinpoint which app has the best features and pricing for your specific needs.
Reviews of the Best Apps To Track Cell Phone Location in 2024Before choosing an app to track a phone number, it's important to weigh your options. The following reviews will give you a rundown of each app's unique features, pros, cons, and pricing to help you identify the best option for you.
1. MSpy – Overall Best Location Tracker With No Jailbreak RequirementsmSpy is the overall best location tracker thanks to its accessible price, ease of setup, and comprehensive GPS monitoring features.
mSpy lets you see someone's movement throughout the day, including their location history and travel routes. This way, you can go back and check their previous check-ins to get an idea about their daily activities.
Thanks to its geofencing features, you can also set automatic alerts for selected locations. You won't have to keep checking the app to be in the loop. If your child leaves school early, for example, mSpy will let you know right away!
The app's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate – a big bonus if you've never used a GPS tracker before. For more comprehensive information on additional parental control features, check out our complete mSpy review in 2024.
PricingThough mSpy won't let you track a cell phone location for free, the app has three affordable plans.
For indefinite use, the yearly plan offers the best value for $16.67/mo. New customers also get 30% off on their first month.
Spynger is an affordable tracking solution with reliable GPS and WiFi monitoring features best suited for parental control.
Whether you want to know someone's current location or past check-ins, Spynger can help you with that. This tracker records and displays someone's location and WiFi history in a neat, easy-to read format that includes addresses, dates, and check-in times.
You can always go back and see exactly where your loved ones have been, and for how long. For Android devices, Spynger also lets you set up geofencing alerts, so you'll be notified instantly when they leave the perimeter or enter a potentially dangerous area.
Spynger excels at being stealthy, which is great if you want to check in on your child without making it obvious. You don't need access to iOS devices to use this tracker. For Android phones, you can hide the Spynger app after installation.
If you want to learn more about Spynger's additional monitoring features, you can read our full Spynger Review for 2024.
PricingSpynger lets you choose between monthly, quarterly, or yearly billing cycles, with the annual plan being the cheapest in the long run. For $14.27/month (or $171.24/year), you get the best value and can use Spynger indefinitely.
New customers also get 35% off on their first billing cycle, so you could save $59.94 on your first year with Spynger.
uMobix is the easiest way to track cell phone location on the fly.
This app has not one, but two GPS-tracking features. The GPS-Location feature gives you instant updates on someone's live location and location history. With it, you'll know your loved ones' whereabouts at all times. Unfortunately, it only tracks Android devices.
But the Geofinder feature works on both Android and iOS without jailbreaking or physical installation. You just send an anonymous SMS link and, once the target opens it, uMobix retrieves their location. Still, this feature won't monitor routes or location history.
uMobix's Geofinder feature has limited monitoring applications, but it can come in handy to find someone's location quickly, without prior setup. It can also help you find your device that was lost or stolen, if the person who has your phone accesses the SMS link.
Check our uMobix review for 2024 for more information on the app's feature package and use cases.
PricingEach uMobix plan provides the full feature package. The most cost-effective choice depends on how long you plan to use the app.
A monthly plan costs $49.99/mo, while the yearly plan is considerably cheaper at $12.49/mo.
Hoverwatch lets you track up to 25 devices, so it's easily scalable for team monitoring.
Hoverwatch is a versatile solution. Like other apps on this list, it tracks cell phone location and route history through both GPS and Wi-Fi connections. But it can also track laptops and computers, which is great if you have to monitor multiple types of company devices.
If you're wondering how to track a phone when the GPS or Wi-Fi are turned off, Hoverwatch also lets you do that through cell phone tower triangulation. Whatever happens, you can ensure no company phone is lost or stolen, even if it goes completely offline.
The control panel displays the location data on an interactive map with clean date, time, and address labels. You can readily switch between tracked devices on the left side menu, so you can get updated on your team's whereabouts within seconds.
Our Hoverwatch review for 2024 covers all the app's monitoring features and use cases if you want to learn more.
PricingHoverwatch has three plans with monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscriptions. The yearly Personal plan is the cheapest at $8.3/mo. But it only monitors one device, so it's best suited for individual applications like parental control.
The yearly Professional plan costs $16.66/mo and tracks five devices, while the yearly Business plan tracks 25 devices for $41.66/mo.
Phonsee is among the best parental control apps, thanks to its comprehensive array of monitoring features.
This solution makes it easier than ever to track cell phone location and set geofencing alerts. Real-time location, route history, location timeline, and their most visited destinations – you can see it all in a neat, easy-to-read format in the app's control panel.
You can always go back and check where (and when) your child has been throughout the day. Phonsee's handy location timestamps will tell you whether they're frequently late for class, or missing their curfew when you're away.
The best part is Phonsee lets you set as many geofencing alerts as you want for both restricted and permitted locations. If your child leaves the perimeter or enters an unapproved area, Phonsee sends you an automatic alert so you can know and act right away.
To learn more about this tracking solution, please read our full Phonsee review.
PricingPhonsee's monthly plan can be a bit pricey at $68.56/mo. If you plan to use the app for a limited time only, the quarterly plan is considerably cheaper, at $39.99/mo.
For long-term use, the yearly plan costs $14.27/mo (around $171/year). Phonsee also gives new customers 38% off on the first month.
Cocospy is an affordable, user-friendly app with basic location tracking features.
Cocospy tracks live GPS locations, plus location history and routes. The app logs all location changes with the full address and entry or exit time. Thanks to this thorough data, you'll know the places they frequent and how long they stay there.
The app's handy Wi-Fi tracker also shows you a phone's active Wi-Fi connection, which you can block remotely to protect company-issued devices. Wi-Fi tracking can also help parents, as it shows a child's location in indoor places like the school, where GPS signals might not reach as well.
Cocospy takes under 5 minutes to set up and requires no jailbreaking or rooting. The iOS version is web-based and fully undetectable, while the Android app is hidden and has very low battery use. Moreover, the intuitive and clutter-free dashboard makes the app easy to navigate, even for those without prior experience.
For more information on its features and performance, see our 2024 Cocospy review.
PricingCocospy has monthly, quarterly, and yearly plans. The monthly plan is $49.99/mo and comes with 30 days of data storage for Android devices.
The other options are progressively cheaper; the yearly plan costs $12.49/mo and comes with 180 days of storage data.
To help you identify the best phone location tracker, we've put together a quick summary of our top picks with their price, compatibility, number of devices covered, and more:
Location Tracking App Monthly Price Annual Price Devices Tracked Compatibility Free Version Money-Back Guarantee mSpy $69.99 $16.67/mo 1 Android, iOS, iPads Demo 14 day refund policy Spynger $68.56 $14.27/mo 1 Android, iOS No 30 day refund policy uMobix $49.99 $12.49/mo 1 Android, iOS, Android tablet, iPad Demo 14 day refund policy Hoverwatch $29.95 $11.99/mo Up to 25 Android, Mac, Windows No No Phonsee $68.56 $14.27/mo 1 Android, iOS Demo 14 day refund policy Cocospy $49.99 $12.49/mo 1 Android, iOS, tablet, iPad Demo 14 day refund policy How to Use a Location Tracking App – Step-By-Step GuidePhone location trackers are pretty easy to use, though the setup can be a bit confusing if you've never tried a tracking app before. We'll give you an example of how these apps work using our top pick, mSpy, on Android:
Step 1 – Choose Your mSpy SubscriptionAccess the official mSpy website and click the 'Try Now' button to get started. Follow the steps to create your account and select a subscription plan.
You must use a valid address to sign up. Once you're done, mSpy will send you an email with your login credentials and the app's installation wizard.
Open the Google Play app on the target device and find the 'Play Protect' feature in the account's dropdown menu.
You'll have to disable the 'Scan apps with Play Protect' option for mSpy to work on the device. After disabling, prepare to install the mSpy app on the target device.
Check your inbox for mSpy's welcome email. Use the login credentials in the email to log into your mSpy control panel on the website. In the control panel, you'll find the app's installation wizard.
Download the wizard on the target device, and follow the installation steps to sync up the phone.Once the installation is complete, scroll through the phone's app list and click on the 'Update Service' icon.
Follow the on-screen pop ups to allow all app permissions and hide mSpy on the target phone.
Step 4 – Start MonitoringWhen you're done, head to your mSpy control panel and click on the 'GPS Location' feature to monitor the target phone.
The app will now keep track of the phone's live location and route history.
Location tracking apps are a bit of a gray area. They could threaten someone's privacy when used abusively. However, there are some legitimate and perfectly legal reasons to use location trackers:
Some people might use trackers to spy on a partner when they suspect cheating. However, using GPS trackers to monitor adults without their permission is illegal in many jurisdictions. Tracking someone without consent could also break their trust and strain your relationship.
How Do Cell Phone Location Trackers Work?Phone location trackers typically require installation on the target device. Once installed, these apps run hidden in the background, collecting the phone's information, including the live GPS location, and sometimes Wi-Fi and even cellular network data.
The recorded information is then sent to the app's servers for processing. On your end, you'll see the location data from a control panel, usually displayed as a pin on a map.
GPS, Wi-Fi, and network data all work to pinpoint a device's location through different methods and with varying degrees of accuracy.
GPS is the most accurate for identifying outdoors locations and recording someone's travel routes. Wi-Fi works best for indoors location placement or in urban areas where GPS signals may be weak.
Some trackers can use cellular network data to triangulate a phone's location, even when the phone's GPS and Wi-Fi are turned off. However, this feature is quite rare.
Can You Track a Device With Location Sharing Disabled?Generally, location trackers won't work with location sharing disabled because they rely on GPS data for placement and monitoring. That's why many location tracking apps may require physical access to the target device to enable location permissions.
Certain location trackers might use additional methods like Wi-Fi, IP, or cellular network tracking. These methods work when location sharing is turned off, though they're not as accurate as GPS tracking, nor do they monitor location history and routes.
Cellular network and IP tracking, in particular, only provide an approximate location. Wi-Fi tracking is more accurate, but only works if the phone's Wi-Fi is on and connected to a network. Most tracking apps only have GPS, though some also include Wi-Fi tracking.
How We Test Phone Location Tracking Apps For Our ReviewsBefore we compile our top picks, we research and use each solution in practice to take note of the pros, cons, and reliability of a product. For a location tracker to make it on the list, it should check most of our must-haves:
Our extensive prior experience testing other leading spy apps also gives us better insight into new products. Thanks to this, we know what to look for and can easily compare new location trackers to identify the best options.
Final Verdict – The Best Location Tracker in 2024The best tracker depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. However, a reliable solution should have a comprehensive feature package, good functionality, and be accessible in terms of price and ease of use.
A tracker that checks all these boxes will help you effortlessly monitor and ensure your loved ones' safety, even when they're away. Any of our picks can help you do that, but many other similar apps exist.
If you're unsure where to start, we recommend checking our top location tracker, mSpy. It gets first spot on our list thanks to its ease of use, affordable price, and comprehensive GPS monitoring features like route history and geofencing alerts.
Location Tracking Apps FAQsCan you track a phone number for free?
There are two methods on how to track someone's location with a phone number for free, but they're not as reliable as professional solutions. Free tracking apps exist, though they have limited tracking features and some steal your personal data for nefarious purposes.
Google Maps' location history feature is another option. It lets you see a phone's past locations and routes, but it won't show you the location history.
How to track the live location of a mobile number?
To track a number's live location, you could use a location tracking app. Some of these need prior installation on the target phone.
Once installed and allowed location permissions, these apps show you a phone's live location, as well as routes. Other solutions let you start tracking with just a mobile number by sending them a link.
How do I track a cell phone location on Google Maps for free?
To enable tracking on Google Maps, the target phone must be logged into its Google account and have the internet and GPS on. In the Google Maps account, enable location sharing and configure who to share the location with.
When the setup is done, Google Maps will let you send a tracking link to view the target's live location on another device.
How can I track a mobile number location for free?
You can track a mobile number location for free using Google Maps. If the target phone has a 'Find My Phone' feature, you can also use this method to pinpoint the phone's location.
But these methods only work if the target phone has these features enabled in the Google or Apple ID account.
Can you track iPhones without the users' consent?
Tracking someone's iPhone and other devices without consent is generally illegal and may even be classified as stalking, a serious criminal offense.
However, most jurisdictions include exceptions for legitimate reasons like parental control, employee surveillance, or law enforcement purposes.
Can you track a phone without access?
You typically need access to set a tracking app on the target phone. Some solutions let you monitor iOS devices with just their account credentials, but you'll only have access to their backed-up information.
Other apps might allow you to access someone's location through a link you send them, but the person will have to click on it for this method to work.
References10 Best Snapchat Spy Apps For Safe And Discreet Tracking
With children today being extremely digitally savvy, it can be tough for parents to keep up. One platform that has many families stumped is Snapchat – how do you spy on someone's Snapchat to ensure they're safe from inappropriate users and content? Luckily, Snapchat spy apps exist for this specific purpose.
A quick Google search will tell you there are plenty of Snapchat spy apps out there promising to unlock every bit of data. However, not all of them are legit; some aren't worth the money, and a few are flat-out malware-infected.
That's why we've waded through the world of Snapchat spy apps to find the best solutions. We tested how they work in real-world conditions and whether they provide sufficient information to keep your kids, family members, and loved ones safe. Read on for our full findings—and also to learn how to spy on Snapchat step by step.
What is a Snapchat Tracker?A Snapchat tracker, also known as a Snapchat spy app, is a cloud-based software that you install on your kid's or other target's phone. When they use Snapchat or any other app on their phone, the data will be relayed to your dashboard.
Today, kids spend an increasing amount of their day on social media. At the same time, incidences of cybercrime and bullying are also growing. Research shows that 46% of internet users under the ages of 13 to 17 have faced online harassment, and 41% of US adults have also been harassed online.
Bullies often use Snapchat to harass their targets because of the ephemeral nature of Snaps – they disappear after they're seen, making it hard to monitor Snapchat.
This social media platform can also be used to spread inappropriate content. Not surprisingly, 31% of young people using Snapchat have faced bullying compared to 12% on WhatsApp and 10% on YouTube.
Snapchat spy apps allow parents and family members to monitor their children's online activities closely. They can view sent and received Snaps, read messages, and record on-screen activities. The apps can also block access to Snapchat if necessary.
What is the Best Snapchat Spy App in 2024? Quick AnswerBefore we discuss the best Snapchat spy apps in detail, let's quickly review the options. According to our tests, mSpy emerged as the best Snapchat tracker overall, and it's also great for other forms of monitoring and parental control.
By now, you have a pretty good idea about what the best Snapchat spy app is, and you've possibly also shortlisted your favorites. Scroll down for our in-depth review of each Snapchat tracker and how they performed in our tests.
1. MSpy — By Far the Best Snapchat Spy Tool in 2024mSpy's Snapchat monitoring capabilities are world-class — whether it's on iPhone or Android, mSpy lets you see their snaps (including disappearing ones), every word they type, plus the media files they share and receive, and more!
Besides providing insight into what your loved one is saying and the content they're engaging in, mSpy offers a whopping 36 features to give you peace of mind and help you keep your loved ones safe, both online and offline.
You can view all social media and messenger activity (including deleted messages), learn what they're searching for, plus set up custom keyword alerts to get notified if your child uses any inappropriate terms such as "pornography" or "drugs".
With over a decade in the monitoring world, mSpy is an absolute powerhouse for giving parents around the world a comprehensive overview of their loved ones' activity in real-time.
With a powerful keylogger and screen recorder, mSpy will help you know more and worry less. Parents can also manage what websites and apps their children can access and control their screen time for a healthier digital balance.
PricingWith current specials, you can grab an annual subscription for just $11.67/month! Be sure to test the demo and take advantage of the solid 14-day money-back guarantee.
ProsSpynger is among the best Snapchat spy apps for iPhones, according to our tests. You'll need your target's Apple ID credentials to set it up, but once it's up and running, Spynger is easy to use and lets you monitor every aspect of your loved one's Snapchat activity.
It reveals all the media exchanged via Snapchat, everything your target has sent and received. We also liked that you can monitor both images and videos, which gives you comprehensive coverage. You can also check the text messages your loved one sent and received – including half swipes.
Spynger will also notify you when your target takes a screenshot on Snapchat. This is a popular way to store Snaps for later reference, so monitoring screenshots gives you a better window into what really matters to your target.
Like most top Snapchat spy apps, Spynger doesn't just monitor Snaps. You can track nearly every other social media platform, such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and even Tinder. We did find that X or Twitter monitoring isn't on the table.
On the plus side, you can see all your target's messages, calls, and media even after they are deleted. It has a powerful keylogger feature that works both on iPhone and Android.
We liked that you can use Spynger to block your kid's access to a Wi-Fi network, which can persuade them to leave undesirable locations or stop consuming, sending, or receiving inappropriate content. Check out its complete feature set in our in-depth Spynger review.
PricingUsers can choose from three plans:
Spynger is among the most affordable options on our list. Why it isn't a free Snapchat spy app, it costs a mere $120 or thereabouts if you sign up for a year. Like most providers, this is subject to ongoing discounts and renewal rates for old plans.
ProsuMobix is one of the best Facebook spy apps as it lets you discreetly take full control to see every little thing there is to see about the user's activity on the app — needless to say, their Snapchat spy capabilities are just as impressive.
With the remote screenshot feature, you'll have full insight into the photos your child is sending (including erased messages), plus their Snapchat add-on interests like games, news, and entertainment.
Although iOS capabilities are lacking, uMobix repeatedly appears on lists like these as one of the best Android spy apps. It's a go-to monitoring app that guarantees the safety of your loved one's online experience.
Parents can also block access to apps (including Snapchat) and set up alerts when their child uses a new social media app!
From a keylogger that records every keystroke entered to group-chat spying and more, uMobix delivers remarkable spyware to meet practically every monitoring need.
PricingConsidering that cutting-edge capabilities like remote access to the camera and microphone don't require rooting, uMobix is a hassle-free, competitively-priced spy app for Snapchat.
Try it now with the free live demo and take advantage of the 14-day money-back guarantee.
ProsEyeZy is one of the best parental control apps for tracking Snapchat and other social media and messenger activity — and of course, as our runner-up, you can even view deleted or disappearing snaps from your dashboard.
With an impressive screen recorder, the ability to take remote screenshots across apps, plus an accurate keylogger, you'll know everything there is to know about what your child is up to on Snapchat and beyond.
Furthermore, as is common with the best Snapchat spy apps, EyeZy also lets you pick up anything suspicious by creating custom keyword alerts. This allows you to keep your loved ones safe without needing to constantly check in for real-time updates.
In addition, you can manage your child's screen time with schedules and block inappropriate content—whether it be websites, apps, or games—to protect them online.
PricingEyeZy is phenomenal across the board, and with reassurance costing as little as $9.99/month, this Snapchat spy app certainly leaves little to be desired.
There's a free demo plus a 3-day trial that you can use risk-free, plus a 14-day money-back guarantee.
ProsHoverwatch is one of the very few Snapchat spy apps that offer compatibility for Windows and Mac devices — this makes it superb not only for concerned parents but also for employers looking to monitor employee productivity.
You can view all their Snapchat pictures, videos, and audio files (and save them), plus the keylogger works across the board to give you insight into what they're searching and saying on the platform:
Hoverwatch also comes with a boatload more, including an accurate GPS location tracker (with geo-fencing capabilities) to monitor your kid's whereabouts 24/7.
PricingAre you wondering how to spy on someone's Snapchat for free? Hoverwatch markets itself as the best free Snapchat spy app, but unfortunately, the freedom doesn't cost a cent for a mere three days.
Here are the annual subscription prices:
The pricing above is per device per month. Monthly billing ranges from $24.95 to $149.95.
ProsXNSpy is a spy app renowned for being loaded with advanced spyware capabilities — and unfortunately, this means that for full functionality (including monitoring Snapchat), you need to jailbreak or root the target device for it to work.
If this isn't a problem for you, you'll have some top-notch monitoring tools to ensure nothing slips by you. For example, you'll be able to see all their Snapchat activity — what they're viewing, searching, sending, and saying:
This is thanks to XNSpy's screen recorder, which snaps screenshots every 5 seconds to give a complete overview of the user's activity across apps.
XNSpy also has a keylogger, plus it lets you remotely lock the target device and record phone calls, amongst loads more — there's little this Snapchat spy app cannot do.
PricingXNSpy's pricing is the same whether you opt for Android or iOS monitoring. Here are the price tags:
Certainly not the cheapest, however, if you're interested, you can take advantage of the 10-day refund policy and explore how the app works with the live demo.
ProsPhonsee is another handy spy app for Android and iOS phones. In our tests, we found excellent feature parity when it comes to Snapchat tracking tools, making it one of the best Snapchat spy apps for iPhone.
You can see all the messages your target sends and receives, complete with timestamps. This allows you to estimate the timeline of their activities, even if they don't tell you exactly what they're doing on Snapchat. It'll also show you all their Snaps in real-time so you can spot inappropriate content.
Phonsee's Snapchat tracking interface is neat and straightforward, and we had no trouble finding data on the target's activities. There are separate tabs for Snaps on one side and Snapchat profile monitoring on the other, simplifying navigation.
Beyond Snapchat, Phonsee allows you to monitor everything the target is doing on their phone. We were impressed by the ability to monitor the user's calendar, which means you can check if your loved one is hiding important events from you.
Phonsee works with all major social media platforms and includes call, gallery, and browser monitoring capabilities. You can also check which websites your target has bookmarked and even block them if needed. Our full Phonsee review includes more features.
PricingLike most Snapchat spy apps, Phonsee offers three plans:
As you can see, the pricing is comparable to the industry standard and we found the annual plan to be extremely affordable.
Given the feature set and excellent user interface, we'd recommend that you sign up for a year. Monthly plans will renew at the undiscounted price of over $60/month from the second month onwards.
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