How to Track a Cell Phone Location Without Installing Software [2024]

There are cell phone location trackers that work without installing software. Usually, these trackers are web-based and locate phones by number.

Such tools are useful if you have ever wondered where another person is at any particular time or wish you could know their location without adding to the number of apps on your device or install anything on their phone.

With the average person having 40 apps on their phone, adding tracking software could make the phone lag or crash. Besides, you could expose it to viruses or scammers from hacking software.

Several services can help you track cell phone location without installing app. Some are paid platforms, while others offer the service for free. We found that the paid services are better thanks to their streamlined control panels and safety measures that ensure you don’t fall victim to scammers. But we tested different tools, so the choice is up to you.

Here’s how tracking a cell phone location can help:

• knowing your husband, wife, girlfriend, or boyfriend’s location;
• monitoring your kids’ activity outside the home;
• monitoring the location of employees;
• finding a spammer or a bully;
• an older parent or senior location tracking;
• locating a lost or stolen phone;
• identifying the location of a new number and finding out where the person lives.

Table of Top Best Phone Trackers Without Installing Software

There are infinite cell phone tracking apps, all claiming to be the best. But when you really need to know how to track a cell phone without installing software for free, and especially when you’re ready to pay for this service, there’s no room for trial and error.

We want you to avoid technical headaches. For this reason, our dream team has engaged in hours of work, patience, and love of good service to try as many apps as possible. Here is our summary.

Total apps researched – 32

Total apps shortlisted – 6

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 a Cell Phone Location Without Installing Software on Target Phone

To track a phone without an app, choose phone trackers that are web-based and work online without installing any software.

1. Scannero

Scannero online service can locate any device globally by entering its phone number. Scannero is compatible with iOS, Android, and flip phones since it works through a web browser. It does not also require software installation. This service boasts simplicity and privacy with custom messaging options. You get a 24-hour trial for $0.89, in which you search for unlimited phone numbers. A monthly Scannero subscription costs $49.80.

Compatibility:

All devices.

Features:

• no software installation;
• based on a phone number;
• works seamlessly across all browsers, phone brands, and carriers;
• can create custom messages;
• available trial for $0.89 for a 24-hour period.

User Experience:

Scannero allowed me to explore its capabilities by entering a phone number and sending a personalized message to the target. It gave me the phone’s location after the recipient gave tracking consent by clicking the link on the text message. Scannero could also send text and voice messages to the phone, which would prove useful if you lose your device. Scannero was a user-friendly option, and it proved its usefulness by showing me the precise location of a phone.

Try Scannero.io

2. GEOfinder

GEOfinder is another effective online tracking service. It is a sub-brand of uMobix, a London-based software company. Our research showed that GEOfinder.mobi website has been operating for two years, showing it’s still relatively new. This cell phone location tracker works similarly to Scannero using the target’s phone number.

Compatibility:

Android, iOS, Desktop PC.

Features:

• tracks any cell phone in the world;
• it has three editable SMS options to make the other person click on the link;
• cell phone location tracking is highly accurate as it also reveals the location history of your target;
• you can take a snapshot of the person’s current location;
• it allows sending of unlimited geolocation requests.

User Experience:

It was easy to find the GPS location of the numbers I provided in a few minutes. Once I created an account and paid my subscription, I could access the full tracking details.

The user interface provided easy setup, and I was given instant access. There are no ads or going from tab to tab. It’s as simple as entering the phone number and choosing one of the three message options that look like system-generated messages. I didn’t see the need to edit the message I chose.

During my test, I had remote access to the cell phone’s location and could zoom in to see the street. I could also see the time when the position was detected, making tracking the target’s movements easier. The service provides updates every three hours. However, it cannot update you if the other person’s phone is off.

Try GEOfinder.mobi

3. Locationtracker.mobi

Locationtracker is a simple service for locating a cell phone without installing software. The cell phone tracker has been operating since June 2022. Nevertheless, our research showed it plans to be in operation for a long time since its domain is slated for renewal in 2025.

Compatibility:

All devices.

Features:

• it transmits the exact location of the monitored phone;
• you can send unlimited geolocation requests;
• its services are anonymous;
• you can pay by card or crypto;
• it can process the IP address when location is not enabled on the user’s device.

User Experience:

Locationtracker does what it claims. Logging on to the website takes seconds since it asks you to send an image to the site. I did this, and the service sent me a special tracking link. I copied the link and sent it to the device I wanted to monitor via WhatsApp. I noticed I could also send the link on Instagram and Facebook. The link activated the location tracking, and I could pinpoint the device’s location and the places they had visited.

All in all, it’s easy to get started with Locationtracker. From creating an account to knowing the user’s location, it took me less than five minutes. It’s also probably the most reliable when the other person doesn’t turn on location on their device.

Try Locationtracker.mobi

4. Detectico

Detectico is a mobile number locator app that is simple and effective. Since it’s not a phone monitoring app, Detectico doesn’t require any installation on the tracked device. You only need to input the target phone number and send a message with a tracking link. You will see their tracked location on a map upon the recipient’s consent. The app excels in locating phones and identifying unknown callers. You can try out its features for only $0.89.

Compatibility:

All devices.

Features:

• locates any phone;
• unknown callers identification;
• data leak checker;
• no installation required.

User Experience:

I used Detectico for phone location tracking, and I was impressed by its simplicity. Since it did not need any app installation, I located a friend by entering their number and sending them a discreet tracking link. Detectico quickly provided my friend’s accurate location details on a map. I liked that it was a cost-effective solution for basic phone tracking. Detectico delivered on its promises, and it can prove useful for checking in on a friend or loved one.

Try Detectico

Track a Cell Phone Location Without Installing Software on Your Phone

Then there are tracking apps that allow you to track location via online account. That means that you don’t need to install anything on your phone, but need to install the app on the target phone. Although, for iOS, you can do it remotely.

1. mSpy

mSpy is one of the most used phone spying apps people use to learn how to track a cell phone location without installing software. Besides, it was designed with parents in mind.

mSpy was launched in 2010 by a London-based tech company. By 2014, parents and employers were using it to track the cell phone locations of children and employees.

Compatibility:

Android, iOS, Windows, Mac.

Features:

• location tracking to within 65 ft;
• social media apps monitoring;
• screen recording;
• browser history and website monitoring;
• it runs in stealth mode;
• geofencing;
• keylogging.

User Experience:

mSpy is one of the best services I’ve tried for locating a phone. It is 100% authentic and does what it claims.

mSpy can locate a phone without installing software on iPhones using the no-jailbreak subscription. However, you need to install the app on the target device with the basic and premium subscriptions. Fortunately, the app runs in stealth mode, so the person won’t know you’re monitoring the cell phone location and activity.

The first step was signing up for a subscription plan at mSpy.com. mSpy sends an email with a guide about installing the app and tips for using it. Since I wanted to spy on an adult, I had to ask them for permission to install the app on their phone. With free reign on the person’s device, all I had to do was to log in to the company’s dashboard from a smartphone or a computer.

As soon as I logged on to the mSpy dashboard, I could see the GPS location, which would alert me when the location changed. mSpy also showed me the travel route of the device and a detailed report of their social media activity.

I liked that it promises 24/7 customer support which came in handy when jailbreaking an iPhone.

mSpy interface is clean, and it does not have ads. You get instant access after installing the app on the target phone. If you’re looking for an advanced cell phone locating app, I’d tell you to go for it. The $29.99 subscription is worth it.

Try mSpy

2. Cocospy.org

Cocospy is a web and app-based cell phone locator. The About Us page indicates Cocospy is a product of FamiSafe Limited. The site has been in operation for four years. In addition, it has mostly positive reviews, and scamadviser.com indicates it’s legit and safe to use.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Features:

• Cocospy shows the real-time location of the target device. It can also locate a phone using Wi-Fi;
• geofencing function;
• Cocospy views actions of phone anonymously;
• it can track online activity;
• location history.

User Experience:

The first thing I did before using Cocospy was to create an account on my browser. Afterward, I used a link to download the app on the target device. It took a few seconds since the app is only 3 MB. It allows hiding it, so it runs in the background. In addition, installing Cocospy does not need rooting of Android devices to access most of the features.

On my Cocospy control panel, I could now monitor the device’s activities remotely. The first thing I did was check the target device’s location, and Cocospy was spot on. I could see not only the phone’s location, but the location history as well.

Try Cocospy

How to Track Android Phone Without App

Find My Device is the best way to track an Android cell phone location without installing software for free. Your Android phone has to be connected to a Google account. It also needs to be turned on and connected to the online Android device manager.

Simple Steps for Tracking Android Phones Without App:

Step 1: Visit the Android device manager on the Find My Device website and use your Google credentials to log into your Google account.

Step 2: Choose your Android device once the site loads.

Step 3: Track your Android phone. The site opens a map with the location of the device. Once you find it, you can let it ring by clicking on “Play Sound.”

It’s as simple as that. You can find your Android phone quickly without installing an app on the “Find my device” interface.

How to Track an iPhone Without an App

Find my iPhone is a cloud-based service. So, if you’ve lost your iPhone, you can track it via iCloud.

Simple Steps for Finding iPhone Without App:

1. Visit iCloud.com.
2. Use your Apple ID credentials to log in. It’s the same one you used to log in to your iPhone.
3. Click on the Find My iPhone icon. If you have more than one iPhone, select the one you want to locate, and it will appear at the center of the toolbar.
4. Know your iPhone location. You will see the device on a map. If it’s off, you can see the last known location. Moreover, iCloud will display the last known location for 24 hours. Besides, you can select to be notified, and iCloud will send an email when it locates your iPhone.

How to Locate a Cell Phone with Google Maps

The Google Maps allows monitoring the location of cell phones logged into their Google accounts and with location services turned on.

To track your phone:

1. Go to Google Maps and log in with the account details of the phone.
2. Click on your profile icon in the right corner.
3. A menu will show up with the “Your Timeline” option. Click on it.
4. Monitor the cell phone by going back in time and seeing where the phone was last since. You can select any day and see where the phone has been.

To track someone’s phone:

1. Tap on the Location Sharing option.
2. Select the person you want to share location with from the contacts list. You can send a request via email address or any messenger.

Some Free Tools to Track A Cell Phone Location Without Installing Software

Honestly, free services are no match for paid services. Similar to plausible results are not always shown, so it’s more of a lottery.

1. Phone Location

Phone location is a free online phone location service. It can track any phone using the phone number. The developers are LTD Pris, and the website has been running for a few years. Phone Location can find any device on a map in real-time, and it does not need pre-configuration or confirmation on the target phone.

Compatibility:

All devices.

Features:

• cell phone tracking in real-time;
• tracks up to five numbers at a time;
• it’s supported across all platforms and devices.

User Experience:

At first, I was skeptical about a website that could show me the cell phone location of a target phone for free. But Phone Location proved me wrong because it gave me the approximate area of the cell phone without installing software or creating an account. However, if I wanted to track future routes or find the location history, I needed to create an account and pay 40 bucks per number.

Phone Location will give you details about the mobile phone’s carrier, country, city, and region of the phone location.

Try Phone Location

2. CellPhoneTrackers

CellPhoneTrackers is an online based service for tracking a cell phone location. It uses the user’s mobile number to triangulate the phone’s location using cell towers, GPS, Wi-Fi, and mac address. It is owned by Profone Cell Phone GPS Tracking, an organization that deals with providing location data to mobile tracking apps. For this reason, you can use it to find an android phone or iOS device anywhere in the world.

Compatibility:

All devices.

Features:

• it provides the current location of the target phone;
• one can view the location on a map;
• allows zooming in for precise location on Google Maps.

User Experience:

Using CellPhoneTrackers is pretty straightforward. A simple website search opens directly to a page where I input the cell phone number and country. After I hit search, it took around two minutes to get the results. CellphoneTrackers provided a general location of the target Android phone I wanted to find. However, I could view the location on a bigger map, allowing me to zoom in on the precise location.

Try CellPhoneTrackers

Conclusion

Finding out the best phone tracker apps and services that work to locate a cell phone location without installing software was a long list of trials and errors. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the same because we have tested the cell phone location tracking methods that work.

The best online service and also the easiest for tracking a cell phone location without installing software is by using Scannero. It’s fast and smooth, and anyone can use it. We recommend mSpy if you want a sophisticated spy app that can remotely track the target phone in stealth mode and reveal various activities on the cell phone.

Most of the free apps don’t give you the precise location, and the approximate location is also not always accurate. So, if it is critical for you to locate a cell phone location without installing software, better to pay a little but get the result for sure. What do you think?