Tips for Parents

03/13/24

10 min

How to Find My Kid’s Phone? 4 Solutions

As our children become so dependent on their smartphones for communication, education and entertainment, the ability to locate their devices becomes very important. This is connected with their safety in various situations. Whether they are on a school trip, at a friend's house, on their way home or they have left their phone somewhere, it is better to know the location of your child's device.

Contents:

As our children become so dependent on their smartphones for communication, education, and entertainment, the ability to locate their devices becomes very important. This is connected with their safety in various situations. Whether they are on a school trip, at a friend's house, on their way home or they have left their phone somewhere, it is better to know the location of your child's device. 

So, how can you do this? How to find my kid’s iPhone or Android device?

children walk down the street and mother watches them from the window

Methods

1. Third-Party Apps: Beyond the Basics

You can use applications that are created specifically so that you can track the location of your loved ones, including your children. Among the most popular and reliable tracking devices for kids, Number Tracker is one of the best. 

This app can locate the child's iPhone or Android device in real-time and provides other useful features like different parental control apps

What Can Number Tracker Do?

  • Location Tracking: You will always know where your child is and whether he is safe thanks to location updates in real-time.

  • Location History: At any time, you can check the location of a loved one during any day. For example, if you want to restore the chronology of events.

  • Private Groups: You can create several separate groups and share locations with each other within them (for example, family, friends, colleagues, etc.)

  • Joint Routes: With this feature, you can create shared routes to make meetings more efficient.

  • AI Virtual Helper: If you have any questions, this service will help you and answer them.

screenshot of some Number Tracker features


How to Install Number Tracker?

Step 1: Download the App
  1. Visit the App Store or Google Play Store: On your smartphone, open the App Store if you are using an iOS device or the Google Play Store if you are using an Android device.

  2. Search for Number Tracker: In the search bar, type "Number Tracker" and press search.

  3. Select the App

  4. Download and Install: Tap "Download" or "Install" and wait for the app to download and install on your device.

Step 2: Create an Account
  1. Open the App: After installation, open the Number Tracker app on your device.

  2. Sign Up: You will be prompted to sign up or log in. If you are a new user, select the option to sign up.

  3. Enter Your Details: Follow the prompts to enter your details, such as your email address, and create a password. 

  4. Verify Your Account: If prompted, verify your account through email or SMS by following the instructions sent to your provided email address or phone number.

Step 3: Set Up Tracking
  1. Grant Permissions: The app will request permissions to access various features on your phone, such as location services. Make sure to grant the necessary permissions for the app to function correctly.

  2. Connect Devices: Follow the app's instructions to connect your device with your child's device. 

  3. Configure Settings: Customize the app settings according to your needs. This may include setting up geofencing, frequency of location updates, and any notifications you wish to receive.

Step 4: Start Tracking
  1. View Dashboard: Once everything is set up, you can view your child's location through the app's dashboard.

  2. Explore Features: Take some time to explore all the features offered by Number Tracker. Familiarize yourself with how to set up alerts, view location history, and use any other features the app provides.

This is the first answer to the “How do I find my kids’ iPhone?” question. Let us find some other ways to solve the problem.

2. Use Apple's Find My App

The app allows for real-time location tracking, location history, and sending notifications when your child arrives or leaves a specific location. Just like a real kid tracker yet with an extended sphere of practical applications.

screenshot of Apple's Find My

Step 1: Set Up Family Sharing

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

  2. Tap on Your Name at the top, then choose Family Sharing.

  3. Set Up Family Sharing: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your family group. You will need to invite each family member to join.

  4. Invite Your Child: Send an invitation to your child’s Apple ID. They will need to accept the invitation to be part of your Family Sharing group.

Step 2: Share Locations

  1. On Your Child's iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Ensure that Location Services are turned on.

  2. In Location Services, scroll down and select Share My Location. Make sure Share My Location is toggled on.

  3. Back in Family Sharing Settings on your device, ensure that the location-sharing settings are configured to share your child's location with you.

Step 3: Use Find My to Track Your Child’s iPhone

  1. Open the Find My App on your device. You will see it divided into three tabs: People, Devices, and Items.

  2. Go to the People Tab: Here, you will see a list of all the people who are sharing their location with you, including your child.

  3. Select Your Child’s Name: You will see their current location on a map. You can also choose to receive notifications when they arrive or leave a certain location by setting up Notify Me.

3. Find My Device for Android

Tracking your child's Android phone can be easily and effectively done by Google's "Find My Device" service. 

screenshot of Find My Device

Step 1: Ensure Device Requirements are Met

  1. Device is Turned On

  2. Signed in to a Google Account

  3. Connected to Mobile Data or Wi-Fi

  4. Visible on Google Play

  5. Location is Turned On

  6. Find My Device is Turned On

Step 2: Enable Location Services and Find My Device

  1. On your child's Android phone, open the Settings app.

  2. Scroll down and tap on Security & Location (or just Security in some versions).

  3. Look for the Find My Device option and ensure it is turned on. If you cannot find it directly, it might be under Google > Security > Find My Device.

  4. Go back to the main settings menu and select Location to ensure that location services are enabled.

Step 3: Use Find My Device

  1. To track your child's phone, you can use any web browser or download the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store on another Android device.

  2. Sign in to the Google Account that is linked to your child's device. You must use the account that is actively being used on their phone.

  3. Once signed in, you will see a dashboard with the device's location displayed on a map and a list of devices associated with that Google Account.

  4. Select your child's device to view its location, battery life, and network status.

4. The Power of Google Timeline

Google Timeline is a feature of Google Maps that provides a detailed history of your locations and movements, as recorded by your mobile device. 

screenshot of Google Timeline

Step 1: Enabling Location History

To use Google Timeline, you first need to enable Location History in your Google Account:

  1. On your mobile device, open the Google Maps app.

  2. Tap on your profile picture or initials at the top right, then tap on Your Timeline.

  3. You might be prompted to turn on Location History if it isn't already enabled. Follow the prompts to enable it. If not prompted, you can go to Settings (gear icon) in the Timeline view, then find Location History settings to verify or enable it.

Step 2: Accessing Google Timeline

To view your Timeline:

  1. Open Google Maps and tap on your profile picture or initials.

  2. Tap on Your Timeline.

  3. Here, you can see your daily movements, places visited, and routes taken. You can select any date to view the historical data for that particular day.

Step 3: Sharing Your Location

Google Timeline is for personal use and does not directly allow for sharing your live location with others, but you can share your location in real time through Google Maps:

  1. Open Google Maps and tap on your profile picture or initials.

  2. Tap Location sharing.

  3. Tap Share location and then choose who to share with and for how long. You can share with Google Contacts or with friends and family via a shared link.

As technology continues to advance, let us remain committed to using it responsibly, always with the well-being of our children at heart. 


FAQs

What measures can I take for my child's privacy while using location-tracking apps?

Use these tools for safety purposes only and agree on specific instances when tracking will be used. Respect their privacy by not sharing their location with others without consent and consider using features that allow for check-ins rather than constant monitoring. Regularly review privacy settings together so that they understand and are comfortable with how their information is being used.

Are there any legal considerations I should be aware of when tracking my child's phone?

Generally, it is legal for parents to track their minor children's phones without consent, as they are responsible for their safety. However, laws vary by location and situation, especially concerning children who are legally adults (over 18 in many jurisdictions). It is important to research and understand local laws regarding privacy and surveillance.

How can I discuss the use of location tracking with my child to make them feel comfortable?

Explain the purpose of tracking is for their safety in emergency situations or for peace of mind when they are on the move. Emphasize that it is not about mistrust or spying on them. 

What alternative methods are available for locating my child's phone without using apps?

Establish specific times when your child should send you a text or call to confirm their location. For younger children, wearable GPS trackers can be a practical alternative. These devices often come in the form of watches or keychains and can provide location tracking without needing a smartphone. Older children and teenagers using social media can share their location with you through check-ins or live location features in apps like Snapchat or Instagram instead of apps for parental control like Verizon Smart Family


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