Looking to determine the origin of an unknown cell phone number? Many straightforward and accessible methods can help you reveal a number’s location. While pinpointing an exact map location without GPS isn’t feasible, you can often discern the broad area and get valuable details such as the owner’s name, address, and service provider. Let’s learn how to track a phone number using some simple strategies and resources to help you discern the caller’s location.
Legal and private ways to track a cell phone number
Let’s look at some proven methods for monitoring phone numbers legally & privately:
Using apps
mSpy
mSpy is a sophisticated tool designed to let users track the real-time location of their target, presented on an extensive map interface. With mSpy, you can:
- Monitor the historical movements of the phone over a selected time frame, including specifics like addresses, accuracy, and location timestamps.
- Examine both incoming and outgoing text messages.
- Access a detailed record of locations the target has visited, complete with GPS coordinates and timestamps.
- Encrypt your location data for added security.
- Analyze how frequently the target visits certain areas.
The platform also offers Location Tracking and Stealth Mode features, the latter of which is useful for those trying to track a phone number. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. Additionally, there’s a 14-day money-back guarantee for any reason should you be dissatisfied.
Scannero.io
Scannero.io is a global tracking platform that lets you pinpoint anyone’s location by specifying their cell phone number. It does not matter which operating system you use; Scannero.io has got you covered, eliminating the need for you to discern which OS is running on the target device. Installing the app on the device for further tracking is essential to use this service effectively.
Key features include:
- Precision in defining the location.
- Handling unlimited phone numbers at the same time.
- Simple user interface with the sole field for a number to analyze.
- Compatibility with all phone models.
- Crafting custom messages in the system.
- There is no need for jailbreaking or other changes.
- Location tracking feature for revealing the exact location of the number’s owner.
Android and iOS users can use this tool to uncover the whereabouts of the person calling or texting you.
Intelius
Intelius is a mobile monitoring app designed for easy and remote tracking of your child’s activities. It sets geofences up and gets notifications when children enter or exit pre-set zones. Intelius also offers the following features:
- Following the device location on Google Maps
- Quick access to phone files from any location.
- Seamless syncing of real-time data via 3G/4G networks or Wi-Fi.
- Enhanced features for enterprise-level security and confidentiality.
- Ability to record calls on your child’s phone.
- Multilingual support.
- Remote screenshot capture capability.
- Retrieval of data and passwords from the monitored device.
- Location tracking.
- Stealth mode operations.
Versions for Android, iOS, and PC (Windows) are available. Each user can enter the 5-day free trial to test all the features.
Spokeo
Spokeo is a premier app for those wishing to monitor an individual’s cell phone number. With this tool, real-time tracking of specific devices becomes seamless.
Furthermore, Spokeo incorporates location-tracking features, allowing you to designate a specific area on the map. You will be promptly notified if the device enters or exits this designated zone.
Additional features include the following:
- Monitoring social media activity.
- Ability to discourage loved ones from attending undesirable events.
- Discover concealed photos in your camera.
- Access to all messages, whether they’ve been sent, received, or even deleted.
- Insight into calendar events, detailing their name, location, date, and timing.
- Location tracking support.
This tool works on smartphones (Android & iOS) and PCS and also offers a 7-day trial for free. However, it lacks the stealth mode.
Howerwatch
Hoverwatch offers tracking capabilities for SMS, GPS, calls, and messages. It helps you analyze cell phone images and screenshots and save inbox & outbox text messages. In addition, this discreet phone tracking app offers insights into both incoming and outgoing user data. Easily installable from your online account, it serves as an essential resource for monitoring the online activities of both employees and children. The app also lets you access the browsing history of the devices you’re targeting.
Besides, each user can benefit from the following features:
- Location tracking.
- Schedule screenshots.
- Unlock selfies.
- No-root tracking.
- Calendar monitoring.
Each user of PCs (Windows & Mac) and mobile devices (Android and iOS) will also benefit from the 3-day free trial. However, like Spokeo, it does not have a stealth mode.
Using Google Maps
This way of tracking cell phone numbers can be practical when you need to locate the phone number of a lost or stolen cell phone, follow children’s whereabouts, or monitor employees’ behaviors.
Enable location sharing and send a request
To begin tracking cell phone locations via Google Maps, execute the following steps:
- Launch the Google Maps application on your mobile device and log in.
- Click on your avatar, find the ‘Location sharing’ section, and tap ‘Share location.’
- Pick the desired contact and specify the time for sharing your whereabouts.
- Select the individual’s profile you wish to share with and press the ‘Share’ button.
To continuously acquire live location details from designated devices, repeat this process. Once you’ve enabled the location-sharing function, you can also send the sharing link through SMS or any messaging application.
Use the search feature in Google Maps
If you cannot find the user or they aren’t in your Google contacts, utilize the search function. You can do this in four simple steps:
- Launch the Google Maps app on the device in question.
- Select Location sharing, then tap on Add people.
- Send the link for location sharing to your phone.
- Open it to locate your phone number.
Using Whitepapers
Whitepages offers a partly free online service that enables cell phone number look-ups.
- Navigate to the main page (https://www.whitepages.com/) on your computer’s browser, selecting the version based on your country (e.g., USA, Australia, India)
- Select the REVERSE PHONE option located at the top
- Input the phone number in the central field, specify the owner’s name or address you wish to search for, and then hit Enter
- Upon completing the search, the results will reveal the location and the full name of the phone number’s holder
After that, you can review the provided details. For most phone numbers, the following information might be displayed:
- A spam rating (e.g., private numbers usually have a “Low” rating).
- Initials of the phone owner’s name.
- Number’s registration city and state.
- Service provider.
Using Facebook
If a Facebook or Messenger user’s account is associated with a phone number, you can conveniently locate them using the apps’ search functionality. Simply input the full 10-digit number, including the area code, into the search field and hit Enter or Return to view the matching profiles.
While this can be a practical tool to track a phone number for free, it has limitations. For instance, many individuals don’t use their full legal names on Facebook, which can lead to ambiguous or misleading search outcomes. Also, users have the option to modify their privacy settings. Under the “How People Find and Contact You” section, they can only adjust who can search for them using their cell phone number.
Moreover, it’s unlikely that spam calls will come from numbers linked to Facebook profiles. On the bright side, searching for a phone number on Facebook may yield more than just profile results. You might also find links to articles or public posts discussing suspected spam calls, which can be invaluable in assessing the legitimacy of a call or text message.
Other methods
Using an IMEI tracker
Each mobile device has a unique 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. Remembering this number helps seek lost phones when tracking apps like FindMyDevice are impractical. To utilize this distinct feature, you should install an IMEI tracking application (such as Google’s Find My Device IMEI Tracker or Where’s My Droid). After installation, grant the app permission to access the phone’s location, type the IMEI number, and tap the ‘Track’ button to reveal the phone’s location.
Using an IP address tracker
An IP address tracker is a promising way to find the approximate area where the phone number holder is. People can use these apps to find the area by analyzing the IP address tied to the number. It can be valuable for revealing a person’s general whereabouts and precise location.
You must first acquire the IP address linked to the phone number to get started. It can be done via the phone carrier or an online IP address tracking service.
Once you have got the IP address, you can enter it into the IP address tracker. These tracking platforms are often available as websites or apps. They can reveal helpful data like the approximate location, the Internet Service Provider (ISP), and the Internet speed related to that IP address.
Using a reverse phone lookup
Whitepages is an excellent reverse phone lookup service, but many platforms work similarly tracking a phone number.
For instance, people can choose among the top web pages to determine the cell phone number location (such as NumLooker, Cocofinder, WhoCallMe, Spokeo, BeenVerified, etc.). However, these monitoring instruments are relevant only for American users.
If there’s a need to analyze the suspicious number in a specific country, you can select from Intelius, Phone Location, Truthfinder, X-Ray Contact, and similar services. The Reverse Phone Lookup app is the most appropriate tool for Android device users.
Using Caller Name (CNAM) or Caller ID
CNAM applications are also helpful for identifying the contact details of a person calling. It primarily serves users from the US; for people from other countries, Truecaller is a good choice with a similar working algorithm. These pages can reveal the full name, phone number, and the city and state of the person in question.
Contacting your service provider
If you know the phone number belongs to your service provider’s network, you can contact its manager and ask for help. They will provide all you need to know about the number owner’s location.
FAQ
Can you track a cell phone with just a number?
In the past, individuals had to thumb through phone books to find contact information for a specific number or reach out to mobile network providers to pinpoint the owner’s location. Thanks to the Internet, you can simply use a search engine to obtain the caller’s details. Additionally, both free and paid options are available for reverse lookup services and CNAM apps, depending on the tool you choose.
How to track a mobile phone number location?
If you’re interested in determining someone’s physical whereabouts for added comfort, particularly for families with kids, technologies such as International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) and GPS call trackers can pinpoint exact locations. These tools monitor a phone’s location, proving beneficial for both keeping an eye on loved ones and locating lost mobile devices.
Importantly, these applications supply GPS coordinates linked to the specific phone number, enabling you to discreetly ascertain the location of someone’s phone without the need to inquire directly. Remarkably, these apps can operate even when the device lacks an internet connection.
How to track your child’s phone?
Gen Z is a digital generation, as ‘zoomers’ have practically raised on mobile devices. 56% of teenagers experience loneliness, distress, or anxiety without phones. It is caused by a tremendous amount of time spent with smart devices, which starts with checking phone messages and notifications after waking up.
Therefore, parents should worry about their children’s behavior online. Parental control applications are impeccable tools for monitoring activity on their children’s phones. Installing these apps helps many parents sleep tighter at night.
These apps allow parents to browse all the essential data (browsing history, GPS location, pictures, calls, etc.). This is the way when their children should be safe with these outstanding tools.