Can someone tell if I check their location on iPhone? Tools for anonymous tracking

Whether someone detects that you are checking their iPhone location depends on which tracking tool you are using.iPhone has a special feature – Find My – for location sharing between people. Does Find My notify the other person when you track them?

If they’re using new versions of iOS, then a little location icon will appear right beside the Wi-Fi icon when you use Find My to check them. They can also see which app checks their location in the past 24 hours in Settings > Privacy > Location Services. BUT they won’t see WHO checked them. Even if someone shared their location with you, they still can’t see whether you checked them or how many times you did it.

To sum it up, the other person won’t know if you track them with Find My. But if you want a more anonymous way to check someone’s location, even when the person didn’t share it with you previously, some third-party apps also provide that service.

These apps work anonymously or in stealth mode, so you won’t be identified. HeyLocate team decided to try and test them for you to know the alternatives.

Table of top services for anonymous phone number tracking

• Total services researched – 30
• Total services shortlisted – 11

We took some resources from the top reviews of the best, and almost all of them were awful. So trust only verified sources of information or blogs of specialized services related to telecommunications. For example, like our HeyLocate blog.

How to track an iPhone without them knowing

To track an iPhone without them knowing, the dedicated phone trackers are used. They work in stealth mode or use anonymous SMS with location tracking links.

Here are online services for finding iPhone by number without installing software:

Scannero.io

Scannero is an online service that allows users to quickly and easily find iPhones by number, without the need for any installed software.

Anonymity:

Sends an anonymous text to an iPhone with a tracking link.

What you need to track an iPhone:

A phone number associated with the target device.

User Experience:

Scannero.io provides an online service that allows users to quickly and securely access the location information of a target device. After I logged in and entered the target device’s cell phone number, Scannero sent an anonymous text message with a link to the target device.

Once the tracking link is clicked, Scannero delivered a real-time report with the accurate coordinates of that device’s current location, as well as a map.

The interface is user-friendly, and the report’s layout makes it easy to understand and access the information that is provided. However, the software does not offer a demo version or a free trial.

Try Scannero.io

GEOfinder.mobi

GEOFinder.mobi is a powerful website location tracker maintained by ERSTEN GROUP LTD in the United Kingdom, with users worldwide. It is well-respected by customers who have appreciated GEOFinder’s dedication to delivering reliable and efficient tracking services.

GEOFinder.mobi has gained both local and international recognition for its commitment to excellence, reflected in its consistently positive user reviews.

Anonymity:

Sends an anonymous text to an iPhone with a tracking link.

What you need to track an iPhone:

A phone number associated with the target device.

User Experience:

GEOfinder.mobi is an online service that allows users to easily and quickly locate the exact current location of any phone number and have it appear on a map with just a few taps.

With GEOfinder.mobi’s simple navigation system, I was able to quickly select the type of message I wanted to send, and GEOfinder.mobi sent the anonymous text message to the device with a link for me to track its location.

Though the response time was a bit slow, GEOfinder.mobi delivered accurate coordinates and a map in real-time. Furthermore, the software user interface was straightforward and easy to use, also I found trial.

Overall, it is worth the price for its reliable tracking capabilities.

Try GEOfinder.mobi

Detectico

Detectico online platform can check an iPhone’s user without installing an app. The software only requires a phone number and it will give you a text message to send to the iPhone’s owner.

Once they click on the tracking link, the service will display the phone’s location on an app.

Anonymity:

It does not send the iPhone’s owner details about who sent the text message.

What You Need to Track an iPhone:

An accurate phone number of the iPhone’s owner.

User Experience:

I did not need to install an app on the target’s iPhone to use Detectico. After I input the person’s phone number, Detectico gave me a choice of text messages to send to them. I then waited for the person to click on the click.

After which, Detectico displayed the phone’s position as a point on a map. Detectico maintained anonymity by not providing details about the origin of the text message.

Try Detectico

The next services work only for the USA as reverse phone lookup, but also show location history.

Intelius

Intelius is a web-based service that allows users to track iPhones by number. It is owned and operated by Intelius LLC, a business that keeps track of public information and is based in Seattle, Washington, United States. The company specializes in providing comprehensive identity intelligence solutions.

Intelius’s advanced search algorithms ensure precise results, with the ability to locate iPhones. Intelius also offers extensive data points, including address history, relatives and business associates, criminal records, etc.

Anonymity:

Intelius works anonymously, as only the user can access the data requested data you need to track an iPhone.

What you need to track an iPhone:

You will need to enter the phone number into the search bar.

User Experience:

Intelius is a web-based service. This means that there is no need to download and install an app. All you need to do is go to the website, enter the phone number of the person you want to track, and press “Search.” Intelius provides detailed information about the location of any iPhone with just one search query.

I decided to try the service by entering the phone number of one of my friends in the U.S., and as I pressed “Search,” the service provided me with accurate location information about my friend.

Though it took some time to get the results, they were precise and updated. I could also see his current location, address, phone carrier, and line type. However, you need to upgrade to the premium version of Intelius to get detailed information on past locations.

Try Intelius

Best Tracking App for iPhone

To use tracking apps, you need to know the iCloud credentials of a person for remote installation, or take their iPhone for a couple of minutes to install the app. Some of them work as parental control apps, but you can use them for all family members.

mSpy

mSpy is one of the leading parental control apps and tracking for iPhone, launched in 2010 by a London-based tech company. In the ten years since its launch, mSpy has established a reputation as an efficient and reliable tool to help parents monitor their kids’ activities online.

It boasts 1.5 million satisfied customers across 180 countries, with an impressive 4-star average rating from users.

Anonymity:

mSpy works in stealth mode.

What you need to track an iPhone:

To track iPhones, mSpy requires the user to input the iCloud credentials of the target device.

User Experience:

mSpy is available as both an online service and a tracking app for Android devices. To set up mSpy in tracking an iPhone, I first signed up and created a mSpy account. Thereafter, I received an email with installation instructions.

I was then requested a 6-digit for a 2FA authentication to give consent to the data access. After I entered the codes. I had full access to mSpy’s dashboard, from which I could view all the monitored activities. The app offered various tracking features such as call logs, web history monitoring, instant messaging alerts, etc.

In terms of location tracking, it showed me the accurate real-time location of the target device and the location history of the device through the GPS location tracking feature. It also has a demo feature that shows users how the app works before subscribing.

Try mSpy

XNSPY

XNSPY is a state-of-the-art cell phone monitoring and tracking software owned and operated by the UK-based ERSTEN GROUP LTD.

The service has been lauded as the best of its kind in the cell phone monitoring category, with esteemed organizations such as Engadget and Entrepreneur having recognized XNSPY’s impeccable service delivery.

The app makes it easier for parents to monitor their children’s cellphone activity and keep track of their whereabouts.

Anonymity:

XNSPY works entirely in stealth mode and does not disclose user identity.

What you need to track an iPhone:

You need iCloud credentials to track iPhone devices.

User Experience:

XNSPY is a monitoring app that can be used to track an iPhone without installing anything on the target device. You just need to enter the target device’s iCloud credentials for iPhones that are compatible with iOS 16.1.1, but for iPhones with iOS 9.0.3, you will have to install the app.

Once I entered the credentials, I could access a range of activities such as text messages, call logs, and GPS locations in real time on my own device. The location feature worked flawlessly, allowing me to monitor the phone’s whereabouts with live updates.

Moreover, XNSPY also offers a live demo that I could use without any hassle and get a feel of the app’s features.

Try XNSPY

EyeZy

EyeZy, developed by Fortunex Limited, a team of dedicated IT professionals and developers, is widely known as the best parental control and tracking app for iPhones and iPad. For years, the company has provided quality parental control and monitoring apps to ensure a safe digital environment for kids.

EyeZy has earned an impressive 4.5-star rating on the Apple Play Store due to its innovative features and top-notch customer service, making it the parents’ go-to tracking and parental control apps.

Anonymity:

EyeZy works in hidden mode.

What you need to track an iPhone:

To track iPhones, you need the iCloud credentials of the target device and have access to the phone to check the confirmation code.

User Experience:

EyeZy is an innovative monitoring and tracking app that remotely offers mobile device management (MDM). To use the app, I had to enter the iCloud credentials of the target device, install the EyeZy app on my phone, and then send a link to the target device.

Since I had the iCloud credentials of the target device, I did input the credentials on my EyeZy account, got an Apple ID verification code on the target phone, and entered it on the eyeZy website. Then I got the confirmation that I had successfully activated the app.

From then on, I was able to monitor a range of activities such as text messages, call logs, GPS location, and even social media tracking of the target device in real-time. I also liked the fact that you can set up geofences and block apps and websites.

For the GPS location feature, I could track the location of the target device with live updates, providing latitudes, longitudes, and street addresses. In addition, the EyeZy app also provides a live demo on both Android and iOS devices that I was able to try before subscribing.

Try EyeZy

Cocospy

Cocospy is a revolutionary phone monitoring software created by ERSTEN GROUP LTD – an innovator in the high-tech industry. The service has been designed to give parents convenient access to keep track of their kid’s phone activities.

Its user-friendly features have made Cocospy one of the most widely used monitoring solutions globally, with millions of users located in over 190 countries.

Cocospy offers an essential package of features and robust support that makes it one of the go-to solutions when it comes to parenting and location tracking in this digital age.

Anonymity:

The app works in a discreet manner and does not disclose the identity of the user.

What you need to track an iPhone:

You only need the target device’s iCloud credentials.

User Experience:

Cocospy is a monitoring app that can be used to track an iPhone without installing the app on iPhone devices. All you need is the target device’s iCloud credentials, and Cocospy will do the rest.

After I successfully entered the credentials, I was able to gain access to the target phone’s data. I could see a range of activities, such as text messages, call logs, and GPS locations, on my own device in real-time.

The location feature was particularly useful for me as it allowed me to monitor the phone’s whereabouts with live updates.

Moreover, I was also greeted with various other features, such as social media tracking and app blocking – both of which were very convenient. In addition, the app offers a demo version, which I found to be very useful for testing the app’s features before committing.

Try Cocospy

OverWatch

OverWatch provides parents with a powerful yet effective tool to keep track of their children’s digital activities. Developed by the UK-registered ERSTEN GROUP LTD in 2002, it is designed to offer a non-intrusive and discreet way for parents to monitor their kids’ internet usage at any time.

OverWatch has earned an impressive 4.5-star rating due to its innovative features, affordability, and top-notch customer service.

Anonymity:

OverWatch works in a discreet mode.

What you need to track an iPhone:

To track iPhones, you only need the iCloud credentials of the target device, and no physical access is required.

User Experience:

To use the OverWatch app for an iPhone, I had to enter the iCloud credentials of the target device in my OverWatch account.

Then, I was able to monitor a range of activities such as text messages, call logs, GPS location, and even social media tracking of the target device in real time. The app also has several innovative features, such as remote screenshot capturing, remote access to web history. I also liked the fact that you can set up geofences and block apps and websites.

For the GPS location feature, I could see the live location of the target device with location history, showing the most recent location of the device. This makes it helpful in checking an iPhone’s location.

In addition, OverWatch also provides a live demo on both Android and iOS devices that I was able to try before subscribing.

Try OverWatch

uMobix

uMobix is a game-changing family tracking solution developed by ERSTEN GROUP LTD in the United Kingdom. uMobix goes beyond the traditional “Find my Phone” offerings and enables users to locate their devices even when standard tracking solutions fail.

uMobix offers parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can always depend on uMobix’s cutting-edge features, thanks to the expertise of uMobix’s talented team of experts who are continuously innovating and pushing boundaries. uMobix puts you in control over your family’s safety, so you can rest assured that uMobix will keep you connected.

Anonymity:

uMobix works discreetly and securely, ensuring that your data is safe and confidential.

What you need to track an iPhone:

You only need the iCloud credentials of the target device.

User Experience:

To use the uMobix in tracking an iPhone, I had to enter the iCloud credentials of the target device after signing and creating a uMobix account. Thereafter, I had access to the dashboard and could monitor real-time activities and the location of the target device.

The software offers a range of features, such as instant messaging alerts, call logs and GPS location tracking. When tracking the target device’s location, I could view its real-time location as well as a history of where it had been.

The software also has a demo feature that helps users familiarize themselves with the app before subscribing.

Try uMobix

Phonsee

Phonsee is a phone monitoring app that can check an iPhone’s location. The app supports use on an iPhone without installing an app if you have the person’s iCloud credentials and 2-FA is not activated.

iPhone promises various monitoring features, not just location tracking but also text messages, calls, emails, contacts, and social apps.

Anonymity:

Tracks a phone’s location in stealth mode.

What You Need to Track an iPhone:

iCloud credentials if 2-FA is not activated for remote tracking or installing on an iPhone running iOS 7 – 13+.

User Experience:

I used my iCloud credentials to sync my phone’s data to the Phonsee dashboard. From there I could track various features from my control panel, such as my iPhone’s live location, location history, and social media chats.

Phonsee was accurate and consistent, and it allowed me to view conversations at the time they were happening. Hence, I could tell what my target was doing on their phone at all times.

Try Phonsee

Conclusion

So, does Find My notify the other person when you track them? Certainly, no. But if you want a more anonymous way of doing it, check out third-party apps that provide the same service securely and anonymously.