How to Track Someone’s Location on an iPhone (6 Methods)

How to See Someone's Location on an iPhone

You may want to track someone’s location for several reasons, for example, you may suspect that someone you care for is in trouble or want to monitor your children, or you may have lost your phone. It could also be that you suspect your spouse or partner of cheating so you want to catch them red-handed. No matter your reason, there are various methods you can use to find a person’s exact location on the iPhone.

In this article, I will share different reliable methods that you can use to find the location of your children or other members of your family.
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Editor's Choice
mSpy

mSpy is a tool that lets you track iPhone locations. mSpy can determine the iPhone location of your child or family members. It also logs the iPhone’s current location through GPS.

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Method 1: How to Track Someone’s Location on an iPhone Using mSpy

mSpy is a tool that lets you track iPhone locations. This app helps parents monitor young family members’ calls, texts, and SMS. It also lets you keep children safe from online dangers and tracks all the activities on their iPhones.

I could use it to determine the iPhone location of my kid and family members. It also logs the iPhone’s current location through GPS and shows every movement in real time. Additionally, I could check latitude, longitude, nearest address, and location time.

mSpy

Features:

  • Physical Location Tracking: I could see exactly where the target phone was straight from my dashboard using mSpy. It provided me with precise location information instantly with complete address details.
  • Geo-Fencing: You can create unlimited forbidden zones for your child or the target iPhone. It sent me instant alerts as soon as my kid left the safe zone, such as their school, playground, soccer practice, etc.
  • Location History: No matter what, your kid or spouse won’t be able to lie to you about where they have been. Since mSpy provides a complete location history along with date and time.
  • Keyword Alerts: You will get notified anytime your child uses one of your predetermined keywords, such as alcohol, sex, porn, or drugs.
  • Website Monitoring: I could monitor websites that my child visits and block websites you don’t want your child accessing.
  • Communication Monitoring: You can watch over your child’s use of text messages, email, and in-app communications.

Pros

  • It allowed me to monitor SMS and instant messaging from various social media sites, offering me a great way to stay connected and organized.
  • It is one of the mobile phone tracker apps that offers an easy-to-read view map and list view of locations visited.
  • It has a highly reliable stealth mode.

Cons

  • Requires a separate subscription for each device you want to monitor.

How do I get location information using mSpy?

Here is a demonstration of how I installed mSpy on my target iPhone Without Jailbreaking:

Step 1) Visit the mSpy website and register for an account.

Step 2) Choose your subscription package and select the version.

Step 3) Confirm your mSpy account via the email you supplied.

Step 4) Get your child’s iCloud credentials and enter them in your mSpy dashboard.

Step 5) Allow mSpy to sync the data.

Finally, you can monitor your child’s activity in real time and view their location at all times.

location using mSpy

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Top Pick
Spokeo

Spokeo offers a detailed location history of current and all previous owners associated with the number. You can use this app to search locations by phone number, address, name, or email.

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Method 2: How to Track Someone’s Location on an iPhone Using GEOfinder

GEOfinder is a powerful tool designed to track iPhone locations easily and discreetly. It’s perfect for anyone who needs to monitor a family member’s or friend’s location in real time without installing any app on the target device.

I used GEOfinder to track the iPhone location of my family members just by entering their phone number. The tool provides live GPS updates and shows their exact whereabouts anywhere in the world. Plus, I could view the latitude, longitude, nearest address, and even historical location data to see where the iPhone had been previously.

GEOfinder

Features:

  • Real-Time Location Tracking: I could see the target iPhone’s precise location instantly through GEOfinder’s dashboard, with continuous updates as they moved.
  • No App Installation Required: The best part is that GEOfinder tracks the iPhone’s location without needing any app or physical access to the device, making it completely discreet.
  • Location History Access: GEOfinder lets me review past locations with timestamps, helping me understand the iPhone’s movement patterns over time.
  • No Jailbreak Needed: I didn’t have to worry about jailbreaking the iPhone, so the device’s security and warranty remained intact.
  • Global Location Coverage: It works anywhere worldwide, so I could track the iPhone even when family members traveled abroad.
  • Easy-to-Use Interface: The website is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing me to get location information quickly without technical hassles.

Pros

  • It allows tracking iPhone location globally and in real time with no app installation.
  • Simple phone number–based tracking makes the process quick and easy.
  • It provides detailed location history with exact timestamps.

Cons

  • Trial period may be limited; a subscription is required for full features.

How to Get Location Information Using GEOfinder?

Here’s a quick guide on how I tracked an iPhone location using GEOfinder:

Step 1) Visit the GEOfinder website and type the phone number in the search bar.

GEOfinder

Step 2) Allow the site to search for the number’s location.

GEOfinder

Step 3) Choose a subscription plan or start with the trial option.

Step 4) Wait a few moments for the tool to locate the device and sync data.

Step 5) View the real-time location, past location history, and address details anytime from your dashboard.

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Method 3: Using the Native iPhone App Find My iPhone

Find My iPhone app can save users great stress when they lose their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac laptop. It is a location tracking service, hence you can use it to track someone’s iPhone location.

I analyzed Find My iPhone and found out that it is a free feature for new iPhones and other Apple devices. All iPhones with iOS 6 or later have Lost Mode with Find My iPhone. I recommend using Lost Mode because it locks your device with a passcode and displays a message with contact information.

Using the Native iPhone App

How to find someone’s location on an iPhone using Find My iPhone?

Follow the steps that I have given below to set things up:

Step 1) Open the Settings menu.

Step 2) Click on your Apple ID and select Find My iPhone.

Step 3) Turn on the Share My Location feature.

Step 4) Click on Find My iPhone and enable it.

Features:

  • Remote Abilities: You can lock your iPhone remotely and have it play a sound or display a message to anybody who finds it. I could use it to let my kids know that I have an idea where they are. 
  • Driving Directions: I used the app to receive directions to my iPhone’s location. It helped me access the location details efficiently with full street address.
  • View Battery Life: This phone tracker app helped me view my target iPhone’s battery level. 
  • Record location history: Lost Mode records the location history to track where your iPhone has been.
  • Language Availability: It supports iOS and is currently available in over 30 languages worldwide.

Pros

  • It can locate any Apple device, including watches, air pods, air tags, etc.
  • I benefitted from using the app as it helped me access location history for tracking my previous locations.
  • You can install this app on one of your IOS devices to find your lost phone and protect your data.

Cons

  • It is not very discreet.
  • Occasionally, the locations were not accurate, and they were a few meters away.

Method 4: How to Track Someone’s Location on iPhone Using FindMe

FindMe lets you locate people you know. I tested it and found it perfect for family and friends to stay connected. According to my review, you can use this app to find a lost iPhone or track the location of a person.

An important safety feature that I noticed on FindMe is that you must enable sharing before your friends can see your location. When you and a friend enable sharing, you can set up to receive alerts, like when they arrive at a destination or when they depart from there.

How to get a location using FindMe Apps?

Here are the steps I used to try the FindMe app. Note that you will need iOS 15 or higher for the latest features.

FindMe

Step 1) On your iPhone device, go to Settings.

Step 2) Click [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone to turn on the feature.

Step 3) Enable Find My Network if you want your device tracked when it is offline.

Features:

  • Alerts: You will receive location-based notifications and alerts. I was notified timely when they arrived at a location or left from there.
  • Parental Restrictions: This feature includes parental restrictions to protect kids. For example, you can ask your kids to share their location and battery life with you and other family members.
  • Travel History: I could browse the complete travel history and view where my kids have been, which route did they take, etc.
  • Invitations: You can use a phone number or email address to invite friends or family.

Pros

  • I found this app straightforward to set up and use.
  • It features safety protocols that let you stop location-sharing if necessary.
  • The app allows you to send your most recent location when your battery runs low.
  • You can get up-to-date location info.

Cons

  • According to my review, the GPS accuracy is not great.
  • You might get location-sharing requests from unknown people.

Top Pick
Scannero.io

Scannero.io is a phone tracker service that lets you locate anyone worldwide by entering their phone number. It has a live GPS tracking feature that allows you to view their movements constantly.

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Method 5: Using iMessage Services

I reviewed iMessage and found it helpful for sharing locations with other iPhone users. In my opinion, it is perfect for meeting friends and letting them know your location when you are on the way. It is also useful if you get lost and need directions.

how to See Someone’s Location on iPhone using iMessage Services:

The system is easy to set up by following these steps:

Step 1) You must enable your location services by going to Settings and finding Privacy.

Step 2) Turn on Location Services.

Step 3) Go to your Contacts or Messages app and select the person you want to share your location.

Step 4) Click on Send My Current Location.

Step 5) Select the sharing duration (one hour, end of the day, indefinitely).

The iPhone will send the location immediately. When the other person receives your location, they will receive a location-sharing request.

Features:

  • Real Time Location: Easily share your iPhone location with family and friends in real time. It helped me share the location for an hour or indefinitely until the end of the day.
  • Media Sharing: I received the ability to use iMessage for texting, sharing images, contacts, documents, videos, and location sharing. It allowed me to stay connected in the most effective way.
  • Transparency: Using iMessage for location sharing is not incognito, meaning that you and the other person are aware when it’s enabled.

Pros

  • Sharing your location through iMessage can be very efficient in an emergency.
  • I found it easy to keep track of family and friends without additional apps or tools.
  • I like that you have control over who sees your location.
  • It’s a helpful feature if you get lost.

Cons

  • I received reports that there have been issues with people taking advantage of the feature to harass or stalk others.
  • Users can disable the feature.

Method 6: Use Apple Maps to See Someone’s Location

Apple Maps tracks iPhone locations if you have their location link. I explored it and noticed that you need them to share the tracking link.

How to track location using Apple Maps?

Here’s how I used Apple maps for tracking my friend’s location:

Step 1) Open the Apple Maps app.

Step 2) Drag the handle from the bottom of the screen and tap Share My Location.

Step 3) The person needs to send the location link through a message or email app.

Step 4) When you receive the location link, tap on it to view the person’s location on Apple Maps.

Features:

  • Standard App: Apple Maps comes standard on iPhones and works with email or iMessage. Hence, I didn’t have to download or install any third-party apps.
  • Share Real Time Location: It’s perfect for one-time location-sharing, like when arriving at an airport. I could get real-time location details throughout the day while tracking my friend for this research.
  • Advanced Maps: Apple Maps includes indoor building maps to help users navigate. This is especially helpful if you are in a huge museum, mall, airport, etc.
  • Save Locations: I could access Maps to save my favorite locations for easy sharing and navigation. It is the best tool for keeping track of important places such as frequently visited cafes.

Pros

  • It gives the users complete control over location sharing.
  • You can add significant locations, like home, to your favorites.
  • I could easily access location directions by clicking on the Directions button.
  • It’s useful for meeting up with friends and family.

Cons

  • I have found that it’s not the fastest or most efficient way to share a location in an emergency.

Why do you want to track someone’s location on your iPhone?

There are several reasons you want to see someone’s location. They may not have cell or Wi-Fi service, and the phone may be turned off, or the person may have turned off the location services, or they may be lost in some unknown places.

How do I see my location’s history on my iPhone?

If you have misplaced your phone or it was lost, please check your location history once it has been found.

I suggest you follow the steps that I have given below to easily view someone’s location using your iPhone:

Step 1) Go to Settings and select Privacy.

Step 2) Click on Location Services and then choose System Services, which you will find at the bottom.

Step 3) Finally, select Frequent Locations or Significant Locations, and the location history of your cell phone will be listed.

Can you track someone’s iPhone without permission legally?

The only person you can legally track without permission is your child if they are under eighteen. It is acceptable to track their iPhone to protect a child living under your roof. Otherwise, you must legally have permission to track anyone else’s iPhone and explicitly ask for consent to avoid breaking privacy laws.

Employers tracking employee iPhones typically have them sign agreements that allow the company to monitor their phone activity. In that case, they can legally monitor their communications and locations.

Conclusion

To track an iPhone location, consider mSpy, Find My iPhone, FindMe, iMessage Services, and Apple Maps. Each method offers unique benefits. I prefer mSpy for its extensive monitoring capabilities, including GPS tracking and geo-fencing, which provide peace of mind and security, especially for parents wanting to ensure their children’s safety. If you’re wondering how to see someone’s location on iPhone, these methods can help you track a device effectively and legally.

Editor's Choice
mSpy

mSpy is a tool that lets you track iPhone locations. mSpy can determine the iPhone location of your child or family members. It also logs the iPhone’s current location through GPS.

Try mSpy for Free