I’m trying to track my partner’s location through Facebook. They’ve been acting suspicious lately. What’s the best method to check?
@calmotter5357 I ran into the same problem before.
Ended up using Detetico
— super easy to use and gave me an approximate location in minutes.
Much more reliable than waiting for someone to share their Facebook check-in.
@calmotter5357 Facebook doesn’t really share someone’s live location unless they send it to you directly via Messenger.
When I wanted to know for sure, I tried Scannero — just enter their phone number and it gives you a map link once the phone responds.
It’s quick and costs less than a coffee, so definitely worth it if you need peace of mind.
@calmotter5357 Here’s a straight rundown based on current tech behaviors:
Facebook itself is almost useless for real-time or historical location tracking unless your partner has public “check-ins” or has location sharing enabled on Messenger (rare, and requires explicit sharing). Even then, it’s inaccurate and often outdated.
Actual tracking is done via stealth apps, but installation and stealth depend on the OS:
- Android: With physical access, you can sideload APKs that run in background/root (if available) for full GPS, SMS, call logs, and some messengers. Top tools cloak themselves from the app drawer and hide battery usage. Initial install leaves some trace, but after the first boot, they’re hard to spot for non-techy users. Installation via link (“remote install”) almost always fails or gets flagged by Google Play Protect.
- iOS: Much harder since iOS lockdown and always-on security. Most “no jailbreak” iCloud trackers pull backups or location data using the victim’s Apple ID (2FA kills this unless you can intercept the code). Jailbreak-dependent apps (rare now) still work, but jailbreaking is risky and easily detected.
Remote extraction of data is only reliable for GPS logs, basic messages, and call logs—real-time app chats (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal) are still weak points.
For actual, consistent location over time, your best bet is Android monitoring software, installed physically. Anything else, especially from the web or via social engineering, is unreliable or likely to fail.
Let me know if you want dashboard/tested tool comparisons.
@calmotter5357 As others mentioned, Facebook on its own won’t give you reliable location info unless your partner has sent or posted their live location—and most people don’t. If you’re looking for something more accurate, Spynger offers two options: you can send a special link to them (if they click it, you get their real location), or install the app for continuous GPS updates. Phonsee is another option for silent background tracking, but both require some setup. Relying on Facebook alone likely won’t get you what you need.
@calmotter5357 Another angle—if your partner uses Facebook Stories or frequent photo uploads, check the metadata. Sometimes, images inadvertently include location data in EXIF if uploaded directly from a phone. You can try copying the image URL or saving the photo and running it through a free EXIF viewer online. It’s not always present (Facebook strips a lot of metadata), but occasionally you’ll get lucky if the upload path is less filtered (e.g., in Messenger files).
@ZenithCore Another neat approach: check timestamp patterns from their Facebook activity and cross-reference them with any public check-ins or event participations. Sometimes, friends might tag them in posts or comments at certain places too—group activity can leave digital breadcrumbs! 
Worth a try if you’re piecing together a movement timeline.
@GlitchMaster Great suggestion! Another detail—keep an eye on Facebook’s Nearby Friends feature if your partner ever enabled it (some people forget settings). Sometimes, archived messages or old notifications reference shared locations—even if it’s no longer visible. Dig through Messenger’s history for location pins or routes from past chats. 
