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Have you ever found yourself worrying about a loved one’s safety, unable to shake off that uneasy feeling? You’re not alone—many of us have been there, staring at our phones and wondering how to track someone’s location on Google Maps without seeming invasive. The anxiety of not knowing where someone is, especially in moments of uncertainty, can be overwhelming, no matter if it’s your child or your spouse.
You deserve to feel secure and informed, and understanding how to use these tools can be a game-changer in managing your worries and strengthening your connections. I’ll show you how to track someone’s location on Google Maps so you can put your mind at ease, straight away.
- Show Full Guide
Factors to Consider When Using Google Maps to Track Someone’s Location
Tracking a phone on Google Maps involves considering its effectiveness and ethical usage. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when using Google Maps to track someone’s location.
It’s important to have someone’s consent before using Google Maps to track their phone. In many regions, tracking someone’s phone without their knowledge or consent can be illegal.
Unauthorized tracking can lead to significant privacy violations and legal consequences. To avoid legal repercussions, familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding location tracking.
Google Maps relies on GPS and internet connectivity to provide location data. For Maps to provide real-time location updates, the phone must have an active internet connection.
Be aware that the location shown can sometimes be inaccurate due to poor signal strength or interference. You should rely on an additional source of communication to confirm your loved one’s whereabouts.
Continuous location sharing and tracking can quickly drain your phone’s battery. Ensure that your device has sufficient battery life or is connected to a power source, especially if you need to track the location for an extended period.
Sharing your location can expose you to security risks, such as being tracked by unauthorized individuals if your account credentials are compromised. To avoid these risks, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and review your account’s security settings regularly.
Maps sends notifications and alerts to the person sharing their location, if enabled. Be mindful of this feature, as it’s not discreet, and the person being tracked will receive updates about their location-sharing status.
When tracking a phone’s location in real-time, the device constantly sends and receives data updates through the tracking app. If you have a limited data plan, this frequent exchange of location information could quickly deplete the available data, leading to additional charges.
To avoid unexpected expenses, you should monitor the tracking app’s data usage regularly. Most smartphones allow users to check which apps are consuming the most data. Also, setting alerts to notify you when you are nearing your data limit can be helpful.
Pros and Cons of Tracking Someone’s Location On Google Maps
Tracking someone’s location on Google Maps offers several benefits, but there are also notable disadvantages when compared to other paid alternatives. Here’s a look at the pros and cons.
Pros 
- Free app, eliminating the need for subscription fees or additional costs
- User-friendly interface
- Real-time location updates
- Seamlessly integrates with Google accounts
- Allows setting up of geofences to receive notifications when someone enters or leaves a specific area
- Works across different devices and operating systems, including Android and iOS
- Offers additional features like navigation, finding local businesses, place reviews, and travel timelines that can be helpful
Cons 
- Requires a stable internet connection for accurate real-time tracking
- Doesn’t provide access to other data, such as messages, call logs, or browsing history
- Continuous use of location services can significantly drain your device’s battery
- Exposure to unauthorized tracking if your Google credentials have been tampered with
How to Track Someone’s Location On Google Maps
Tracking someone using their location on Google Maps often requires discretion, for example, if you’re trying to catch a cheating spouse or you don’t want to be too invasive when monitoring your teenage child. Using Google Maps alone can only do so much, and accurate tracking often involves using specialized monitoring apps or enabling certain features on the target device without alerting the person being tracked.
One such app is mSpy, which provides real-time GPS tracking and detailed location history of the target device. mSpy operates in stealth mode on both Android and iOS devices and offers a ton of other monitoring features, so it’s great if you’re not only looking to track someone via Google Maps but also want to see insight into their social media or messages.
Other apps, such as uMobix, offer similar tracking capabilities, and it and mSpy are always at the top of our best tracking app lists. If you’re looking for a mobile number tracker that uses Google Maps, I recommend Scannero or GEOfinder. They both give you accurate GPS tracking using just a phone number. Leveraging these platforms can help you monitor someone’s location effectively and discreetly. I cover all of my top tracking apps below in a handy comparison table, so be sure to check it out.
How to Track Someone's Location on Google Maps - Step-by-Step
Open Google Maps
Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android device. The icon is a multicolored map pin. If you’re using a web browser, go to Google Maps.
Access Your Account
Tap on your profile picture or initials at the top right corner of the screen. If you’re using a web browser, click the three-line menu icon in the top left corner.
Select Location Sharing
On the menu, tap “Location sharing.” This option may be in the first or second grouping of menu options.
Share Location
Then tap “Share Location.”
Choose a Contact
You’ll see a list of people who are currently sharing their location with you. Tap the name or profile picture of the person you want to track to find their location.
Request Location Sharing
If you need to ask someone to share their location with you, tap a contact who has shared with you before, then tap “Request.”
View Their Location
The map will zoom in to show the precise location of the person you selected, helping you find someone’s address if necessary.
To refresh their location, tap on their icon, then tap “More” and “Refresh.”
Why Should You Use Google Maps to Find Someone’s Location?
Google Maps’ extensive features can provide peace of mind, enhance safety, and improve efficiency in many different scenarios. Here are some examples of how Google Maps’ specific features can help you:
Other Ways to Track Someone’s Location
If you’re looking for how to track family members on Google Maps, it’s fairly straightforward, as I’ve outlined here. Tracking a family member’s location can be essential for safety, coordination, or monitoring.
While Google Maps is a popular choice due to its accuracy and ease, there are a few other methods and tools I’d like to share with you that can also effectively track someone. If you’re not finding the info you want from Google Maps, you may wish to check out some of these alternative methods:
Pros and Cons of Tracking Someone's Location Using a Monitoring App
Pros
- Tracking and monitoring apps provide access to messages, call logs, browsing history, and social media activity, along with location tracking
- Real-time location updates
- Many monitoring apps operate stealthily and are out of sight
- Some location tracking apps allow remote control of the tracked device, such as locking the phone or wiping data
- Users can set up geofences to receive alerts when the tracked individual enters or leaves a designated area
- Monitoring apps store historical location data
Cons
- Tracking apps typically require subscription fees, which can be expensive for premium features
- Some apps need physical access to the target device to be installed
- They can be unethical or illegal if used without consent
- Location trackers can expose sensitive data to third parties or the app developer if you choose the wrong option
- Installation may require jailbreaking, which can void the warranty or introduce malware
The Best Google Maps Alternatives for Tracking Someone's Location
To help you choose the best app for tracking someone's location, take a look at this comparison chart that highlights each app's key features, pricing, and money-back guarantee or refund policy.
| Best Tracker Apps | Free Version/Demo | Cheapest Paid Plan | Top Features | Moneyback Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mSpy | Demo | $11.67/month | Geofencing, custom alerts, app blockers | 14 days |
| Spynger | ❌ | $9.28/month | Text message access, keystroke tracking, screen recorder | 30-day refund policy |
| uMobix | $1 for one-day trial | $12.49/month | Call history monitoring, GPS tracking, keylogger | 14-day refund policy |
| Scannero | $0.89 for 1-day trial | $49.80/month | User-friendly interface, location history, contact list access | 14-day refund policy |
| Eyezy | Demo | $7.99/month | Social media monitoring, keylogging, file access | 14-day refund policy |
| SpyBubble Pro | Demo | $10.62/month | GPS tracking, browsing history monitoring, social media tracking | 30 days |
| Phonsee | Demo | $8.85/month | Custom alerts, call logs monitoring, real-time monitoring | 14-day refund policy |
| GEOfinder | $1 for one-day trial | $49.99/month | Precise GPS tracking, geofencing, unlimited geolocation requests | 14 days |
| ClevGuard | Demo | $9.17/month | Screenshot capture, app usage monitoring, live recording | 14 days |
Google Maps Location Tracking - Is It Worth It?
Using Google Maps to track someone's geolocation is a convenient and cost-effective solution. This method offers features such as real-time updates, geofencing, a user-friendly interface, and seamless integration with other Google services.
However, its main shortcoming is that it requires the person being tracked to enable location tracking, making it unsuitable for covert tracking. Also, a stable internet connection is required for accurate real-time tracking.
Paid apps like mSpy are a more viable alternative. They offer extensive monitoring features, including access to messages, call logs, and social media activity, all while operating stealthily. Some of these apps also support advanced features such as geofencing and remote control of the tracked device. Unfortunately, these apps can be expensive and unsuitable for individuals on a budget.
Ultimately, the choice between the Google Maps app and a paid app depends on your specific needs.
FAQs
How do I track a family member's location on Google Maps?
How to see someone's live location on Google Maps?
How can I tell if someone is tracking me on Google Maps?
Does Google have a family tracking app?
How to track location by phone number on Google Maps?
References
- Google Maps App on the App Store (Apple)
- Google Maps Help (Google Support)
- The Ethics of Tracking (Zenduit.com)
- Business Tracking System (Oboloo.com)
- The Best Gadget Trackers (Independent.co.uk)
