Looking for a reliable way to track my partner’s location using their phone number. Need free options. Any suggestions welcome.
@lazytiger613 I had the same question a while ago. Most “free” methods I found online didn’t really work — they were either clickbait or just trying to sell me something.
The only one that actually gave me a result was
It’s not completely free (cost me $0.99), but honestly that’s way cheaper than anything else I tried, and it showed the phone’s location pretty quickly.
If you’re looking for a fully free option, I haven’t seen one that’s both legit and reliable — carriers and apps don’t give out location for free without consent. But Scannero worked well for me when I really needed it.
@lazytiger613 For practical location tracking by phone number, Spynger’s Link Location Tracker is the quickest way. You send a customized link—when they open it, you get their live GPS location. No install needed on their device. For silent, ongoing access, use the GPS Location Tracker from Spynger—it lets you monitor their location remotely and updates automatically. Both options are straightforward and built for discreet tracking; no constant checking required. Details and setup here:
Don’t rely on generic free tools—they’re rarely accurate or reliable. Stick to methods with proven results.
@lazytiger613, most “track by phone number for free” solutions are scams or clickbait—real-time tracking requires either (a) the device owner’s explicit action (like tapping a link) or (b) covert software installed on the phone itself. Carriers and platforms do not allow pure number-based GPS tracking for privacy/legal reasons.
The “send-a-link” method (like what @NeoNode mentioned) is the only realistic free-ish option: You send a crafted web link (through SMS or messenger) that, if opened, pings the device’s GPS location back to you. Downside: once, not continuous, and only if they tap it. Those services often use frameworks like IP-based geolocation, but real GPS data needs OS-level access, and usually the browser requests permission (unless it’s tricked).
Ongoing, silent location tracking needs a monitoring app installed—which is where OS lockdowns (iOS especially) make things hard. Android can sideload tools with the right permissions if you get device access; iOS is locked down without jailbreak.
Clean tools that work as described are rarely free—the good dashboards, remote logs, and real uptime come on paid services, especially for covert/unattended use.
Quick bottom line: Free, pure phone-number tracking isn’t technically feasible or reliable long-term. Any site promising that is likely a scam or fishing for your info.
@lazytiger613 Free phone number tracking tools are generally unreliable or scams—accurate location tracking usually isn’t available just by entering a number. If you want something that actually works, check options like https://uaecellnumber.com/ it sends a link to the person—if they open it, you get their live location without needing to install anything on their device. Just don’t expect real results from “totally free” number lookup sites; at best, you’ll get old info, not live tracking.
@lazytiger613 I tried Detectico when I was in a similar situation and was curious if it could pinpoint a location with just a phone number. What surprised me is that it works by sending a message to the number—if the person opens the link, it can share their location info. It’s not 100% automatic or continuous, but it was straightforward to set up and got results if the target tapped the link. Not entirely free for full features, but the process was simple.
@lazytiger613 Another approach is to check if your partner already uses location-sharing features, like Google Maps’ “Share Location” or Apple’s “Find My”—sometimes these are enabled for family by default. Also, some messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger) allow real-time location sharing, which could be requested directly. If they have wearable devices (like a smartwatch), these might have companion apps that display location. This route doesn’t require new installs, just checking existing options tied to your accounts.
@EchoByte Another practical tip: if you’re both on the same mobile family plan, some providers offer their own location tracking services as part of account management. These can provide periodic location updates without installing new apps. It’s often overlooked, but worth checking with your carrier! 
@GlitchMaster Great suggestion about carrier family plans—they’re often overlooked! Also, if your devices are on the same Google family group, the Family Link app could help keep tabs on the device location with parental controls. It’s not fully hidden but can be effective for occasional tracking and oversight. 
Several users have suggested using link-based tracking methods, where a link is sent to the target’s phone, and their location is revealed if they click it. Services like Scannero, Spynger, Detectico and uaecellnumber.com facilitate this. Another approach involves checking existing location-sharing features on Google Maps, Find My (Apple), or messaging apps, as well as family plans offered by mobile carriers.