There are times when we need to know where exactly our children are. It will give us peace of mind, but also keep them safe from potential harm. The good news is that we can easily track someone’s location with a few convenient tools. Google Maps is a proven way to track your child’s location, especially when they are out for school or playing somewhere out. Let’s learn how it is possible to track someone on Google Maps.
How to track someone’s location on Google Maps?
Google Maps come with location sharing feature that can be used to locate someone by their GPS. Family members, friends and coworkers can share their location with each other in real-time. You need physical access to target phone to enable the option. Or the person you wish to track must opt into sharing their location. Here’s how you can track someone on Google Maps and no in-depth knowledge is needed.
- Open Google Maps on target device and tap the menu at the top left of the screen.
- Select Location Sharing and click on GET STARTED.
- Select the time for which you want to track the location of that person. You can simply tap on Until you turn this off option.
- After selecting your contact from the target phone, you might see a pop-up saying that the contact is not connected to the Google account. Just tap on OK.
- Tap on Send and then finally send the prepared link from the messaging app to yourself.
- Use the link to see the current location of that person anytime you want from your phone.
If you can not gain access to target device, you need to send location request. Once the contact accepts the request, you also can view the location on your smartphone. If you child is particularly tech-savvy, they can easily disable the settings themselves.
How to track someone on Google Maps using WhatsApp?
Alternatively, you can find someone’s location on Google Maps using WhatsApp. This popular instant messaging app will still use Google Maps to track the device. Thus, you should have physical access to the target device for a couple of minutes until you set it up. You can track the device for a maximum of 8 hours at a time. If your child is tech-savvy, he/she may be able to simply disable your access.
- Open the WhatsApp account of target device and open your chat with that person.
- Tap the attach icon at the bottom and select the Location option.
- Tap on the Share Live Location. You’ll be able to track someone in real-time. If you tap on Send you current location, you will feel like the person is situated at a particular place for a long time. But they might be in a completely different location.
- Select the time for which you want to trace the location and tap on the send icon.
- Open the WhatsApp chat of the target person on your cell phone. Tap on View live location in the location message which you just sent from their phone to yourself.
- Tap on their profile icon that you see on the map.
- Then tap on the GET DIRECTIONS option.
- Select the Maps app to see the location of target device on Google Maps.
- Now you will be able to see the current location of the target phone.
Can I track someone on Google Maps without them knowing?
If you want to track someone’s location without being noticed, you have to delete the message containing the tracking link from their phone. Another way to track the target person’s location secretly can be done using a spy app.
Can you tell if someone is faking their location?
While tracking someone on Google Maps using WhatsApp, a person can send their current location instead of sharing live location. It means that you will only see the location where the person is currently situated but it will not track the location in real-time.
Is it possible to find someone’s location by phone number?
Google Maps do not have an option where you can enter the phone number and find location immediately. You can resort to web-based services that can serve your exact purpose. For instance, TrackPhone, Buddy Locator and online GPS phone locator allow you to type in phone number and track someone’s location in a few steps. They work with GPS tracking system and celullar signal to give you precise location.
You also can take advantage of reverse phone lookup service such as WhitePages and Beenverifier. They let you put someone’s phone number and see their location immediately. However, this option only can provide you with approximate location.
Final thoughts
We’ve covered detailed instruction on how to track someone’s location on Google Maps in this guide. It’s especially useful for you to track the location of family, friend or coworker and get peace of mind. You don’t have to go through complicated procedure. Simply enable location sharing and get started!