You may need to locate a phone number for whatever reason. Whether your mobile is lost or stolen; you want to track your children's whereabouts; an unknown number is harassing you; and you want to find the individual calling you—these are all valid reasons for wanting to turn to geolocation. It's important to make the right choice regarding your options, as finding the ideal application to locate a phone number can seem difficult. This article presents the best options we've found, comparing features, advantages, disadvantages, and prices to help you make the best choice for what you're looking for.
The best applications for locating a phone number
To use a geolocation application, you need to consider several factors. Among other things, you need to make sure that:
- The device to which the phone number you are looking for belongs is switched on.
- It is connected to a mobile data or Wi-Fi network.
- It is linked to a Google or Apple account.
- The Locate My Device from Android or Locate from Apple application is activated.
- The cell phone can be viewed on Google Play or the App Store.
If the device doesn't meet these prerequisites, you'll have trouble moving forward. So, first of all, you'll need to make sure that the smartphone in question adheres to these expectations before you can proceed with localization.
1. Geoloc.be
Geoloc.be is a third-party geolocation service. The platform offers you a practical solution that's nonetheless simple to use and effective, offering a range of features that enable you to locate a phone number, whether Android or iPhone. Here are the three steps you need to follow to find the cell phone you want to track:
- Request the location by entering the telephone number in the dedicated field on the Geoloc.be website.
- Automatically send a geolocation notification once you have submitted the request. Geoloc.be takes care of this step and sends the location sharing request to the person who owns the device you wish to locate.
- Display the location once the person has clicked on the tracking link. In this case, you'll receive a notification and be directed to a page containing a dedicated map with the exact location of the cell phone.
The benefits of Geoloc.be
- Geoloc.be is compatible with all mobile devices. Whether you're tracking an iPhone, Samsung, Nokia, or any other mobile device, Geoloc.be is compatible with all makes and models.
- The platform works with all networks. You don't need to know the operator of the number you want to trace. All mobile operators can use Geoloc.be, so you can locate any phone on any network.
- Secure geolocation. The data collected by Geoloc.be is completely secure and confidential. No data about you will be transmitted to the person you wish to locate.
- The solution is compatible with all devices. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, Geoloc.be is accessible from all interfaces worldwide.
Disadvantages
- As a third-party service, Geoloc.be is obviously a paying solution. You can only opt for fast, efficient localization by subscribing to the subscription plan. This will guarantee you almost unlimited georeferencing.
- Geoloc.be does not share information with you without the consent of the person to whom the device belongs. Spying is illegal in France and most other countries, so the platform does not tolerate geolocation without consent.
The price
Geoloc.be offers a monthly subscription of €32.40. You can try out the application for 48 hours for €0.50.
2. Google: Locate my device
Google's Locate My Device application is the best built-in alternative for those looking for an application to locate a free phone number. However, it is imperative that the cell phone in question satisfy the five points mentioned above.
The benefits of Locate My Device
- Consult your Google account to easily view your device on Google Maps.
- You can use Google on any device, including iOS devices.
- The application is free and available worldwide.
The disadvantages of Locate My Device
- Google is one of the world's largest technology companies. However, the workload of Google Maps can cause problems such as inaccurate or partial localization.
- You'll need to have your account accessible on the other smartphone in order to locate it.
- From time to time, there are compatibility problems between tools.
The price
Locate My Device is free.
3. Apple: Locate (Find my iPhone)
Apple's Locate application is one of the best and most accurate in the world. Despite using their own dedicated card, Apple has gone to great lengths to create an effective solution.
The benefits of Locate
In the same way as Google, Apple offers the possibility of using external accessories compatible with the Locate application to track objects. You can:
- Make a remote phone call.
- Install lost mode to back up and protect your data, and lock activation to prevent resale of the device.
- It's also possible to share and precisely identify AirTag-equipped objects while communicating your position with friends and family.
- Send and receive departure and arrival notifications when someone leaves or arrives at a location.
- It's possible to communicate your position via satellite, even when it's far from cellular or Wi-Fi networks.
- Guarantee the confidentiality and user control of your location data. Without consent, you won't be able to use someone else's device, and vice versa.
The disadvantages of Locate
- Pricing. The price of an AirTag and other Apple products is quite high. That's why the AirTag idea makes sense, but using one to find your keys rather than being more vigilant can be an expensive solution.
- Suitability for other devices. Despite their ability to link Google and Apple, Localiser and iCloud can only be used from a computer, while you can use your Google account on any Apple device to track a phone number.
The price
Localize is an application integrated into all Apple tools, so it's free.
4. Non-integrated applications
Non-integrated applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram can be good solutions for those who don't want to create accounts, as is mandatory with Google and Apple. Indeed, these solutions can be used virtually anonymously, using only your cell phone.
Let's take a look at these three social networks to understand not only their strengths but also their attributes that really leave something to be desired.
The advantages of WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram
- Location sharing allows users to share their location in real time with other contacts. While Messenger and Telegram also do this, WhatsApp stands out for its accuracy and reliability.
- You can stop your live location or time it, i.e., decide how long you want to share it.
- People with whom you have shared your live location will continue to see your shared location as a static thumbnail, and you can tap on it to see the latest updated location.
- You can also ask to share the position of others, either in your conversation or in a group.
- Updating takes place automatically until sharing is complete.
- These applications are free of charge and can be used freely.
Disadvantages of non-integrated applications
- These phone number locator applications require the consent of the device's owner. Without this, you won't have access to its location.
- Since tracking is done in real time, the location may be imprecise. If the network is faulty, the position may be different from the phone's true location.
- If sharing is interrupted for any reason, you will no longer have access to the shared location.
5. Locate a phone number by SMS
If you own a smartphone, you have the means to send or receive a location request via SMS. For the iPhone, you can use Messages, while for Android, you can do the same in Messages.
The benefits of SMS
- Sharing your position via SMS is similar to sharing via social networks. You can share and receive someone's position, share automatically, share as a group, and stop sharing whenever you like.
- If you plan to share your location via SMS, you can instead send a landmark, which is a single, static location request. If the owner of the device moves, this is not displayed on the dynamic map.
The disadvantages of SMS
- Compatibility problem. You may not be able to send or request georeferencing between an iPhone and an Android, as the two use different systems and even different geographical maps.
- Some features may not be available in all countries or regions of the world, especially with Apple Messages.
- Messages between Apple devices are free, as they work like messages sent on a social network. However, localization between Android and iPhone is not free, as the message is transformed into an SMS.
- If you're lucky, the cost is low between numbers subscribed to the same operator. Otherwise, you risk paying a hefty sum.
The best application for locating phone numbers: what you need to know
In conclusion, whether you're looking to find a lost phone, track the whereabouts of loved ones, or put an end to phone harassment, geolocation can be a valuable solution. However, choosing the best application to meet your needs can be tricky. This article has presented five different options, comparing their features, advantages, disadvantages, and price, to help you make an informed choice. Whether you opt for a third-party solution such as Geoloc.be, integrated apps such as Google's Locate My Device or Apple's Locate, or location-sharing methods via messaging apps or SMS, it's essential to consider your specific requirements and budget to find the solution best suited to your needs.
