How to Trace a Phone Number and Easily Check Its Location

We all experience a moment of panic when we can’t find our phone. Losing a phone, whether due to theft or simple forgetfulness, is a common issue many face. Lucicky, knowing what methods or tools to use can help you solve this problem. So, when using a special location tracking tool to track a phone number location can help detect your lost or stolen device, it won’t be the best solution if you want to track someone by phone number as it could invade their privacy. Nevertheless, there are still reliable apps that will neither risk your identity nor let someone know you monitor their whereabouts. 

In this review, we will cover how to trace a phone number and discuss the best apps to help you type in a phone number and find location free online. 

Why You Might Need to Track a Phone Number

Statista report shows that between October and November 2022, 27% of UK parents used parental control software on a specific connected device, while 13% installed apps on their children’s phones to monitor app usage and screen time. Children are drawn to smartphones because they offer freedom and quick access to games and social media. However, not all apps are safe. A study on 400 mobile apps in the Google Play Store (February 2023) revealed that nearly 50% lacked child-specific user policies and still collected personal data, while 18% gathered data without parental consent or proper protocols. This trend continues in 2024. 

It underscores the importance of monitoring the apps kids download to ensure their privacy and safety. But monitoring isn’t just for kids. Businesses concerned about data privacy or suspecting data leaks may need reliable cell phone trackers to track a phone number and address potential issues. Similarly, spouses who suspect infidelity but struggle with open communication might use a specialized app to find someone’s location discreetly.

The reasons why you might need to track a phone number are varied. Nevertheless, regardless of your goal, if you’re reading this, you’re likely searching for a reliable solution to your issue. Fortunately, you’ll find it here.

Free Ways to Find Location by Phone Number

Interested in how to trace a phone number but do not want to pay for any location tracking service? Well, a few solutions will help you with it – all of them are listed below. Just check their characteristics and how to track a phone when using each.

Google Maps: Great Free-to-Use Solution for Tracking Someone’s Location Online

Google Maps is a great navigation tool and a good assistant in case you want to monitor someone’s real-time location on Google Maps. The app perfectly works on iOS and Android-operated devices. When using Google Maps, you can share directly, copy the location link, or share the longitude and latitude of the monitored cell phone. 

How to track a phone number on Google Maps?

1. Take your kid’s cell phone and open Google Maps. 
2. Enable location service if it has not been done before.
3. Click on their profile picture and choose “Location Sharing”.
4. Confirm your action by tapping “Share location”.
5. Choose the time the device’s location to be shared. You can opt between 15 minutes up to 1 day. Moreover, if you want to track it round the clock, select “Until you turn this off”.
6. Then, choose yourself from their contacts list (“More” and find yourself). 
7. Once you do it, tap “Share”.
8. Now, take your smartphone, open Google Maps, and start tracking their phone number location.

IMEI: Gives an Approximate Cell Phone Number Location 

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a protective phone system that helps identify and distinguish mobile phones from other devices. So, each phone has a unique code that distinguishes it from the other devices. So, in case of loss, your IMEI number can be used to find your phone.

Well, how to trace a phone number with IMEI Tracker? The first and most important thing you should bear in mind is that the cell phone tracking process with IMEI is handled by law enforcement or mobile network providers. Even if you find special services online that claim they can find location by phone number with IMEI, do not trust them. They are scams.  

Nevertheless, you can detect your cell phone IMEI and report it to your carrier provider, who can then assist in blocking the phone or potentially locating it. 

Here’s a short guide on how to detect an IMEI on Android and iOS.

Android:

1. Open your mobile app as if you are going to make a call. 
2. Type *#06#. 
3. You’ll get the IMEI number. Simply write it down somewhere.

iOS:

1. Go to “Settings”, “General”, and “About”.
2. Look for the serial number. You might need to scroll down to find the IMEI/MEID and ICCID.

Once you reveal the IMEI number, how to find someone’s location? Here is what you have to do to find the location by phone number with IMEI:

1. Contact your cell phone carrier’s customer service.
2. Tell them the IMEI number of the cell phone you want to locate.
3. Ask them to track or block the cell phone.

In some countries, when a phone is lost or stolen, it gets added to a special list called an IMEI Database. How to track a phone using the Official IMEI Database? 

If a person who has found your phone tries to activate it with a mobile carrier, the carrier will check this list, and if they find your IMEI number in the list of stolen/lost devices, they may refuse to provide the service for it. 

Necessary to note that Samsung offers a service similar to Google’s “Find My Device”, and although it cannot detect a phone location by IMEI, it is useful for reporting a loss. 

Seek Assistance from the Police

The other way to track a phone number’s geolocation data is through reporting to law enforcement. How to track a phone using this method?

1. Call the police and report the problem to them. Tell the IMEI number of the target phone.
2. They will work with your cell phone carrier to locate the phone. 

You have to back up that the device belongs to you (show its original box, purchase check, etc). Many police departments have access to tools and partnerships with mobile service providers that can help trace a phone’s location. Although this method is quite good and legitimate, it won’t work if you want to locate your cheating partner’s whereabouts. 

How to Find Someone’s Location with Third-Party Apps

Nothing works and you do want a tool that will give you a quick solution to your problem? Well, look at the list below. Here, you will find the top 3 apps to find someone by phone number. 

GEOfinder: Easy to Use Web-Based Tool Requiring No Installation

GEOfinder is a great solution for those who appreciate privacy and anonymity. The tool is a good solution for those who have no access to the target device but still need to get precise real-time data. The tool offers precise location data with a 10-meter accuracy. 

GEOfinder is equipped with the following features:

• IP and WiFi trackers
• VPN checker
• GPS tracker for phone
• Cell phone carrier lookup

It is easy to use and does not require tech-savvy skills to use the app.  Now, the main question is: how can you track a phone number with GEOfinder?

1. Go to the GEOfinder website. 
2. Select the country code, enter the target’s phone number, and click “Find”.
3. Proceed with the payment process (you can also ask for a 1-day trial version available for $1 (for this, contact the GEOfiner support team). 
4. Send the message anonymously. 
5. Once they open the message and click the link, their location data will be instantly shared with you. 

The best part is that the recipient will never suspect that they agree to share their location data by clicking the link. Everything is safe and sound. They won’t know about your monitoring, and you will not need to access their device to install any app. Security and privacy are guaranteed. So, if you want to find someone by phone number and do it safely, GEOfinder is the most recommended. 

Mobile Tracker Free.org: Good Phone Trcaker for Android Devices

Mobile Tracker Free is a great tool when you need to monitor someone’s whereabouts without them knowing. The service works remotely and operates in the background on the target device so the device owner won’t notice it by accident. It utilizes GPS technology to pinpoint the location, with a typical accuracy of within 20 meters. 

Once you install the app, you will be able to:

• Detect your kid’s real-time location
• Check whether they do not enter restricted areas
• Check whether your child is where they have to be (e.g., at school, not missing classes)

How to track a phone number with Mobile Tracker?

1. Click “Sign up Free” on the Mobile Tracker website. 
2. Create an account and accept the Terms of Service. 
3. Check on-screen requirements:
4. Take the target device and scan the QR code you see on your device’s screen. 
5. Follow the further instructions you will see on your screen. 
6. Once installed, log into your user space. 
7. Start tracking their geolocation data. 

Note that, despite Mobile Tracker working only with Android devices, its location data is highly accurate, with a 20-meter margin of error, so you can rely on it for precise location tracking.

uMobix: Excellent Solution for Parents Worried About Their Kids’ Safety

uMobix is the best solution for concerned parents who want to know their kids’ real-time location and view the places they visit, such as how often and at what time. In addition to a GPS tracker, uMobix allows you to track call logs, text messages, browser history, and stored media files. You can even remotely control your kid’s smartphone to block it in an emergency or limit their screen time use. 

If they share their whereabouts through social media platforms, online games, dating apps, or any instant messaging app, uMobix will take a screenshot and send it to you so that nothing will go unnoticed. 

So, how to find location by phone number using the uMobix parental control app?

1. Visit the uMobix website and click “Try Now”.
2. Create an account and choose the target’s OS (Android or iOS). 
3. Select a subscription plan and proceed with payment. 
4. Check your email for a detailed installation guide. 
5. Take your kid’s phone and follow the instructions. 
6. Once done, log into your user space and track their location data. 

Good news! If you have no prior experience using a similar tool, you can ask for a trial app version. uMobix offers a 2-day trial available for $1 – for Android and iOS. So, simply contact their support team and ask for that. 

Conclusion

How to trace a phone number effectively? Every tool mentioned in this review has its unique features, strengths, and limitations to track a cell phone location by number. While some may offer robust features and high accuracy, others might have specific constraints or compatibility issues. Therefore, it is essential to consider what aligns best with your needs, such as the level of detail required, the type of device you’re using, and the importance of privacy and ease of use.