Simple and Free Ways to Track a Cell Phone Location for Free

Cell phone tracking allows covert monitoring of a person's activities, including location, calls, messages, and social media, through discreetly installed spy apps on their target phone, all without their knowledge.

Based on our research, here’s our list of Best Apps to Track someone's Mobile phone

1) mSpy

2) Spokeo

3) PeopleLooker

4) Scannero.io

5) Social Catfish

6) ClevGuard

1) mSpy

mSpy is one of the best mobile phone tracking apps I tested. It allows you to remotely monitor any person’s mobile phone. I was able to read text messages from the target phone secretly. You can set boundaries on Google Maps using Geo-fencing. If the target moves beyond that, the app will notify you instantly. mSpy allows you to spy on your spouse’s phone without detection. Please review the live demo to understand how this tool works in real time.

Features:

• Real-time Activity Updates: mSpy delivers real-time updates on the targeted phone's activities every 5 minutes, ensuring you stay informed.
• Text Message Monitoring: Easily read incoming and outgoing text messages, including iMessage, providing valuable insights into communication.
• Timely Updates: Receive updates on the monitored device's activities within specified intervals, allowing you to track changes effectively.
• Location Encryption: Safeguard your location data by encrypting and protecting it, ensuring your privacy is maintained.
• Stealthy Spying: mSpy allows you to discreetly spy on your spouse's cell phone without detection, ensuring you can gather necessary information covertly.
• Calls & Messages: View incoming and outgoing calls, as well as SMS and iMessage conversations.
• Social Media: Monitor activity on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, Kik, Telegram, Hike, Hangouts, Line, Tinder, Viber.
• Location: Utilize GPS tracking and Geo-fencing features for precise location monitoring.
• Internet: Access browsing history, website bookmarks, Wi-Fi network connections, and incoming/outgoing emails.

Pros:

• GPS and Geo-fencing: mSpy provides robust GPS tracking and Geo-fencing features, helping you keep tabs on a device's precise location.
• Call and SMS Monitoring: Easily monitor phone calls and SMS messages, allowing you to stay informed about communication activities.
• Message Recovery: mSpy's capability to retrieve deleted messages can be invaluable for uncovering hidden information.

Cons:

• Single Device Limitation: mSpy's pricing plans only support monitoring of one device, which may not be ideal for users looking to track multiple devices simultaneously.

Pricing:

• Annual Subscription: Enjoy a rate of $11.67 per month with billing once a year.
• Quarterly Subscription: Opt for a three-month plan at $28.00 per month, billed every quarter.
• Monthly Subscription: Choose the flexibility of a month-to-month plan at $48.99 per month.
• No-Cost Demo: Experience the platform's features firsthand with a free trial. Should you decide to cancel within 14 days of purchasing, mSpy guarantees a full refund.

Steps to Track a Cell Phone Without Their Knowledge Using mSpy

Step 1: Visit mSpy's official website , enter your email address, and choose a suitable subscription plan. After purchase, log in using the credentials sent to your email.

Then, select the device you wish to monitor (Android or iOS). In this example, I chose Android. Note that you will need physical access to the target phone for initial installation.

Step 2: Select the device manufacturer. Available options include Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Moto, Google Pixel, LG, and others. For this demonstration, I selected Samsung. Click on the "Proceed" button to continue.

Step 3: Using any web browser on the target device, download the mSpy application and follow the instructions provided to complete the installation.

Step 4: Allow mSpy approximately 2-3 hours to gather data from the target device and upload it to the server. Note that internet speed on the target device impacts synchronization time.

Once ready, log in to your mSpy dashboard to review the target phone's activity.

You can access details like messaging and calling contacts, most visited websites, location history, and travel routes.

GPS tracking helps you easily track the target phone's whereabouts, and you can also view search history, emails, and blocked websites.

2) Spokeo

Spokeo is a phone tracking app I evaluated for all devices. In my experience, with Spokeo, you can perform a reverse phone search to find addresses and more. It reveals the identity and location of unknown callers. Spokeo is user-friendly, and I can navigate its interface smoothly. It provides a detailed report after each search. It also helps me block marketing and spam calls.

Features:

• Parental Control: Spokeo offers robust parental control features.
• Family Online Activity Tracking: Easily monitor the online activities of your family members.
• Hassle-Free Remote Installation: Enjoy a seamless remote installation service.
• Phone Log Tracking: Track a child’s phone log-on/off activities.
• Remote Software Management: Install, uninstall, or deactivate software remotely.
• Hidden Mode: Operate in stealth mode on your lost or stolen phone.
• Key Combinations: Access call logs and location-sharing data through specific key combinations.
• Dashboard Alerts: Stay informed with dashboard alerts.
• Remote Command Sending: Send remote commands via mobile or web.
• Automatic Updates: Automatic remote updates with location history.
• Calls & Messages: Monitor incoming/outgoing calls, SMS, MMS, contact list, and send SMS remote commands.
• Social Media: Keep an eye on Facebook, LINE, Viber, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Hike, Kik, Instagram, Skype, Google Hangouts, Telegram, Tinder, and WeChat activities.
• Location: Utilize geo-tracking and geofencing features.
• Internet: Monitor browsing activity, browser bookmarks, and network connections.

Pros:

• Speedy Search Processing: Spokeo excels in processing search queries quickly.
• Robust Security and Privacy: Provides top-notch security and privacy measures for users.

Cons:

• User-Friendly: While a pro for many, some users might need to be more user-friendly, which can limit advanced customization options.

Pricing:

• Introductory Offer: Enjoy a one-month trial for just $0.95.
• After the trial, continue your membership at $29.95 each month, billed monthly.
• Special Promotion: Spokeo invites new members to explore with a 7-day full-access trial to our comprehensive social search reports.

3) PeopleLooker

PeopleLooker is a tool I reviewed to gain insights into people’s backgrounds and social accounts. Leveraging this tool, users can access an extensive compilation of public records drawn from multiple databases, including legal documents, social networks, census data, and official government repositories. Highlighting its user-friendly interface, PeopleLooker ensures quick and effortless searches, enhancing the experience with features like discovering unclaimed assets. This unique capability aids users in identifying forgotten financial resources such as tax rebates, pensions, and dormant accounts. Available on Android and web platforms, it guarantees round-the-clock customer support, making it a reliable assistant for background checks.

Features:

• Comprehensive Search Functionality: Utilizes extensive databases to deliver precise search outcomes, covering user, email, phone searches, and beyond.
• In-depth Analysis Reports: Offers thorough insights into individuals, including potential email connections and profiles on various online platforms such as dating websites.
• Criminal Background Checks: Reveals criminal histories by searching through court records for any past offenses.
• Business-to-Business Insights: Gathers and presents detailed information on businesses, including contact details and social media presence.
• Transparency in Data Usage: Ensures clarity in how personal data is utilized, underpinned by straightforward privacy policies.

Pros:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or mandatory long-duration subscriptions.
• Exceptional customer service responsiveness.
• Equipped with a variety of tools for comprehensive background investigations.

Cons:

• Service accessibility is restricted to the United States.

Pricing:

• Monthly Subscription: $23.99 for a single month.
• Quarterly Plan: Averaging $19.19 per month, billed quarterly at $57.57.
• Introductory Offer: 7-day trial available for $1.

4) Scannero.io

Scannero.io is a phone tracker service I reviewed. You can locate anyone across the world by entering their phone number. You don’t need to know the target’s operating system. It helps you find the device’s location anywhere in the world.

Features:

• Global Network Compatibility: Scannero.io operates across all networks, enabling you to track any phone number worldwide.
• Precision Tracking: My experience with Scannero.io showed that it accurately provides real-time coordinates, pinpointing precise locations.
• Unlimited Scalability: Even in its free version, there are no caps on the number of phone numbers you can track, ensuring extensive scalability.
• Customized Messaging: The tool allows sending customized messages, which I tailored for personal contacts to ensure they were aware of the tracking.
• Diverse Services: Offering a suite of services like name search, background checks, phone lookups, address lookups, and GPS tracking, Scannero.io is versatile.
• Effortless Setup: Setting up my account was quick—just an email, a password, and a phone number were needed to begin tracking instantly.

Pros

• Compatible with any operating system.
• It enables global, real-time tracking using just a phone number.
• Includes a history of tracked links.
• Requires no software installation on the target device.

Cons

• Functionality is limited to tracking phone locations only.

Pricing:

• Trial Offer: Pricing begins at $0.87 for a 1-day trial.
• Refund Guarantee: There's a 14-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test its features risk-free.

5) Social Catfish

Social Catfish offers comprehensive tracking features, enabling users to monitor SMS, GPS location, call history, and social messages on a target device. I evaluated this app, which can identify user info on social media sites like Facebook, Snapchat, and Telegram. With compatibility across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS and 24/7 customer support, Social Catfish empowers users to uncover vital information discreetly and efficiently.

Features:

• Caller Identification: Quickly identifies unknown callers, revealing their identity within moments, even if their number isn't in your contacts.
• Email Discovery: Uncovers all email addresses linked to an individual, offering a comprehensive view of their online presence.
• Comprehensive Search: Uses names to retrieve phone numbers, current addresses, and social media profiles, providing a detailed background check.
• Internet Footprint Tracking: Tracks the online activity on someone's Android device, giving insights into their internet usage.
• Stealth Monitoring: Allows discreet location tracking, ensuring your privacy while using the service.
• Communication Oversight: Monitors call logs and text messages, including SMS and iMessage, for a complete view of communication.
• Social Media Monitoring: Keeps tabs on activity across platforms like Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, and Tinder.
• Location Tracking: Provides real-time geo-location, tracks location history, and sends alerts for designated areas.
• Internet Communication Monitoring: Monitors email exchanges and identifies callers, offering a thorough online communication audit.

Pros:

• Historical Data Access: Maintains a log of past searches, simplifying the process of revisiting previous inquiries.
• Public Record Search: Efficiently locates public criminal and traffic records, enhancing the depth of your search.
• Regional Filtering: Allows search results to be narrowed down to specific regions or cities, refining search accuracy.

Cons:

• Limited Free Access: Lacks a comprehensive free plan or trial period, restricting full access to premium features.

Pricing:

• Reverse Phone Lookup Service: Priced at $24.95.
• Reverse Email Lookup Feature: Available for $29.95.
• Comprehensive People Search Tool: Offered at $49.95.
• Free Lookup Reports: Social Catfish provides initial lookup reports at no cost, featuring restricted data to help users verify their search outcomes.
• Exclusive 5-Day Trial: Enjoy unlimited searches for a nominal fee of $5.73, granting full access to Social Catfish's capabilities.
• Refund Policy: For refunds, reaching out to the sales department of Social Catfish is necessary.

6) ClevGuard

ClevGuard is a phone tracking app I evaluated. According to my review, it allows you to track someone’s online activity remotely without their knowledge. It is excellent for setting up geo-fences and getting alerts when the target enters or exits the boundary. It syncs real-time location and calls data over 3G/4G or Wi-Fi.

Features:

• ClevGuard, a cutting-edge mobile phone tracking application, ensures secure and discreet monitoring of a targeted device.
• Real-time data synchronization is achievable via both 3G/4G networks and Wi-Fi connections, ensuring up-to-the-minute information access.
• You have the capability to discreetly record phone calls made on your child's device.
• ClevGuard boasts multi-language support for user convenience.
• The app allows remote screenshot capture, providing a comprehensive view of device activity.
• You can enjoy round-the-clock customer support via chat and email for any assistance you may need.
• Gain access to personal data and passwords of the monitored device.
• Comprehensive monitoring capabilities include call logs, contacts, messages, and the ability to record call logs.
• Social media monitoring extends to platforms such as WeChat, Viber, Kik, QQ, LINE, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder, Snapchat, Telegram, Facebook, and more.
• Location tracking includes GPS/Wi-Fi locations and geo-fencing.
• Keep an eye on browser history for internet activity.
• Additional features encompass location history, photo and video previews, calendar tracking, data export, keylogger, app activity monitoring, and screenshot capture.

Pros:

• You can quickly track your partner's real-time GPS location for added peace of mind.
• ClevGuard offers support for multiple languages, making it accessible to a broader user base.

Cons:

• Remote control features are not available in the iOS version of the app, limiting certain capabilities on Apple devices.

Pricing:

• Annual Plan: Enjoy a cost-effective rate of $9.16 per month, billed annually.
• Quarterly Plan: Opt for a three-month subscription at $19.99 per month, charged quarterly.
• Monthly Plan: Choose the flexibility of a monthly subscription at $39.99 per month.
• Trial Offer: Explore ClevGuard with a complimentary demo version to experience its capabilities firsthand. Benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide to cancel your membership within this period.

Verdict

As someone who has reviewed countless tracking apps, I understand the importance of finding the best tools for the job. Whether you are concerned about your child's safety or trying to locate a lost device, check my verdict for the most reliable options available. I have carefully evaluated these apps for their features, reliability, and user-friendliness.

1. mSpy is a top-rated and powerful app that offers comprehensive tracking features. It is ideal for those who need a robust and secure solution.
2. Spokeo stands out as a cost-effective and user-friendly option. It provides remarkable performance and is reliable for everyday tracking needs.
3. PeopleLooker is an excellent choice for tracking, with its customizable and phenomenal features. It is the ultimate tool if you are deciding on a superior option.

FAQs

Why Track Someone’s Phone Without Them Knowing?

Here are some key reasons for discreetly tracking someone:

• You don't need to contact any authorities or the cellular service provider of the person being tracked.
• Many parents monitor their children’s phones to ensure their safety and to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors.
• It proves invaluable in medical emergencies, unfamiliar locations, or if the person is suspected of illegal activities.
• You can oversee a phone’s call logs and SMSs and share your location in real time through Google Maps.

Is it legal to log into other people’s Mobile Phones?

Yes, accessing someone’s cell phone without their knowledge is not explicitly listed as a crime in most countries or regions. However, if the phone owner is unaware, it constitutes an invasion of privacy, potentially leading to legal consequences that differ by country. Moreover, consent and intent are crucial factors. If someone consents to you logging into their phone and your intentions are clear, it is entirely legal. Conversely, if your actions are driven by malicious intent, they can become illegal, depending on the severity of your actions.