When discussing “tracking a phone number,” we aim to find either the real-time or historical location of the device. Regardless of your specific need, we have methods available to assist you.

Phone Number Location Lookup

Track a lost phone’s real-time location

Lots of people seek ways to track their phones, especially when they’ve lost them. Just like this person on a forum who’s looking for an app to find their stolen Optimus G using the phone number.¹ In cases like this, you can use the phone’s built-in GPS to figure out where it is. But here’s the thing – a phone number, even if it’s an IMEI or serial number, cannot activate the built-in GPS.

Fortunately, both iPhone and Android smartphones come equipped with an integrated feature to assist in locating lost devices. To access real-time device location, users need to utilize their device accounts—Apple ID for iPhones and Google account for Android devices. Just log in on another device, hit up the Find my device feature, and you can track down your lost phone. But you need to act quickly. If the device has run out of battery or turned off by others, it cannot be tracked.

Install tracking apps after consent

Tracking a phone number can also be driven by safety concerns, according to forum posts seeking help. This story is from a forum member whose partner has memory problems, so there is a need to track their partner’s phone when they’re outside the house.² In such cases, installing a tracking app on the device can provide real-time location sharing. However, it’s crucial to engage in open communication and obtain permission from the person you’re concerned about, whether it’s a partner, family member, or someone else.

For iPhone users, an option is to share their location through Family Sharing. A sweet story from Reddit adds a personal touch to this need – a user shared how her daughter willingly consented to location sharing, expressing her love for sharing and feeling connected through the shared family location.³

Apps & Websites

So, what about apps and websites that claim to track a phone location by typing in the phone number, do they work? Are they legitimate to use?

Well, the possibility of typing in a phone number and finding a real-time location might have existed before 2019. In that year, media reports major carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T selling customers’ real-time phone location data to third parties for profit⁴. This revelation implies that there could be apps/websites capable of revealing someone’s real-time location by simply typing in the phone number. The post from 2011 confirmed the existence from the side: A user recounts an experience where their friend typed in the phone number and found the location within 10 seconds. The user thought it was just the GPS position, but later their friend showed everything was revealed, except for the name of the app.⁵

In 2020, the FCC proposed a $200 million fine over claims that the carriers sold customers’ real-time location data to third parties.⁶ These big carriers promise to stop selling customer data, there should be no apps or websites that can track real-time location through a phone number.

But you can know the general location by typing in the phone number. Here are 3 ways to find out:

1. Free general searches
2. Use People search services
3. Track by links

Method 1. Free general searches

Typing in the phone number and searching it on Google or other search engines is a 100% free method to find out a phone number’s location.

You’ll find a list of search results that are related to the phone number. It could be an official phone number of a shop, an organization, or a suspicious spam call.

If there is no useful information about the phone number, you can enter the first three digits of a phone number which are the United States’ area code. By searching a 3-digit area code, you’ll know the phone call is from which state.

By the way, some articles say you can search for the phone number in Google Maps which is impossible.

You have to spend your time and effort to run free searches by yourself because the next methods are not free.

Method 2. Use People search services

People search services are phone number trackers that provide a legal and ethical way to learn about a person from their phone number (e.g. their address, workplace, assets, and more). It allows you to know the phone number owner’s history location by simply typing in the phone number and finding a phone owner’s possible location.

This method is perfect for people who want to find out information about an unknown phone number.

BeenVerified is one of the excellent reverse phone number services that can provide you with important information about unknown callers. This service boasts a vast database of phone numbers, allowing you to easily identify callers and access their background information, such as their name, address, and public records. Whether you want to know where and who calling before you answer, BeenVerified can help you stay informed and protect your privacy.

1) Go to BeenVerified.

2) Enter the phone number and search.

3) Find out the phone number location and get a report about the owner.

Social Catfish

Social Catfish is a highly recommended reverse phone number service that can help you identify unknown callers and protect your privacy. With a vast database of phone numbers, Intelius allows you to access information about the owner of a phone number, including their name, possible address, and available public records. Its quick and accurate results help you to make informed decisions about who you communicate with.

1) Go to Social Catfish.

2) Enter the phone number and search.

3) Find out the phone number location history and get a report about the owner. In order to view the report, you will need to purchase a membership plan that best fits your needs.

Method 3. Track phone location by URL

Some websites/apps also let you enter phone numbers and find locations, but their tracking technology is completely different from the people search services. They need you to send a link to the phone number. When the owner clicks the link on the phone, they can track the phone number’s geolocation and give you a precise answer on the map.

In other words, it’s not an anonymous method, and can’t be sure about success, but if it works, you can get the owner’s exact location.

Scannero.io

Scannero.io claims itself as the best tracking tool for finding someone’s exact location. It allows users to locate other’s phone numbers remotely. You don’t need to install any apps on other devices, simply search their number on the Scannero.io website to start tracking them. However, you’ll need to send a message to the target phone number and ask for permission. After the owner clicks the link, then you’ll know the exact location.

You can track all types of phones in this way all around the world conveniently.

Geofinder

GeoFinder introduces itself as a robust phone number tracker that allows you to identify the precise location of the phone number on a map regardless of mobile network. You can enter the phone number and search for the location on their official website. If you don’t have a, you’ll be asked to pay for the service and then you’ll get a link.
Make the phone number owner click on the link generated by GeoFinder. If they do click, you can know their precise location on the map. If they don’t click, you cannot obtain their location.

Are these services legit?

Yes, they are legit services and they do work well. I have used several services for days and can say that it is worth a try. Although most of them are not free, you do get a trial using which you can know someone’s location. So you don’t have to straight away buy their plan.

There are legitimate reasons for tracking someone’s location with their consent, such as ensuring the safety of a family member or finding a lost or stolen phone. In these cases, it’s essential to obtain the person’s explicit permission and use legal and ethical means to track their location, such as using built-in phone tracking features or dedicated apps designed for this purpose.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while several online tools claim to provide free phone number location services, it’s important to exercise caution and consider the privacy implications. Some of these tools may require the other party’s consent or involve certain limitations, such as requiring them to click on a generated link. Moreover, it’s worth noting that some of these services may not be accurate or up-to-date. Therefore, it’s advisable to use such tools judiciously and prioritize privacy and consent. Ultimately, it’s crucial to respect the privacy and boundaries of others while using any kind of phone number location service.

All product names, logos, brands, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

1. General Questions and Answers [KXIX]. (2013, September 4). [Q] Track a phone using the mobile # [Online forum post]. XDA. https://xdaforums.com/t/q-track-a-phone-using-the-mobile.2431655/ ↩︎
2. Techie Stuff [Fortyfoot]. (2022, April 27). How to track a mobile phone location? [Online forum post]. MSE Forum. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6353627/how-to-track-a-mobile-phone-location ↩︎
3. r/NoStupidQuestions [kittens_in_the_wall]. (2023, April 24). I recently switched back to an iPhone and joined our apple family again. I had forgotten about it’s location tracking [Comment on the online forum post If your partner asks you to install a tracking app on your phone because they want to track your phone/location, would you do it and let them track you?]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/12xc9a2/if_your_partner_asks_you_to_install_a_tracking/ ↩︎
4. Zack Whittaker (2019, January 9). Despite promises to stop, US cell carriers are still selling your real-time phone location data. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/09/us-cell-carriers-still-selling-your-location-data/ ↩︎
5. EVO 4G General [hesria]. (2011, February 21). [Q] Get real time location by your Phone Number? [Online forum post]. XDA. https://xdaforums.com/t/q-get-real-time-location-by-your-phone-number.962659/ ↩︎
6. Kim Lyons (2020, February 28). AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile will be fined more than $200 million for selling customer locations, per report. TheVerge. https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/27/21156555/verizon-sprint-att-tmobile-fcc-fine-carriers-consumer-data-disclosure ↩︎