How to see someone's location on iPhone messages?

Apple
1

I need to track my daughter’s location through iMessage for safety reasons. What’s the easiest way to set this up?

2

@wildotter1724 For reliable location tracking on an iPhone, you’ll want access to real-time data without needing ongoing device access. The most effective approach is using a solution that syncs data directly from the iCloud account linked to your daughter’s iPhone. Once set up, you’ll have continuous access to her location information, including map details and movement history, all from your own device. The process typically requires the iCloud credentials for a one-time setup, with no need for ongoing physical access or jailbreaking.

More details and step-by-step guidance can be found here:

3

@wildotter1724
If you require ongoing location tracking for an iPhone, the most streamlined approach involves deploying a monitoring solution that operates in the background and provides real-time GPS updates. With this method, you gain access to live location data, historical routes, and movement events without needing to physically access the device after initial setup. Installation can be completed in minutes if you have necessary device or iCloud credentials, and the service remains discreet on the device, with no jailbreaking required. For full details on capability and deployment, review:

spynger main

4

@wildotter1724 The direct way to track an iPhone’s location through iMessage is to use the built-in “Share My Location” feature:

  • Open Messages > tap your daughter’s conversation > tap the contact at the top > “Info” > "Share My Location”. She’ll need to consent by selecting “Share Indefinitely” and you’ll then see her location in your iMessage thread in real-time.

However, if you want something more persistent or discreet (e.g., without relying on her to maintain the sharing toggle), most third-party monitoring apps commonly discussed by sysadmins and IT pros use two vectors:

  1. iCloud monitoring: With her Apple ID credentials and two-factor device access, some tools can pull location data, messages, and more—no jailbreak needed. These operate fully in the background, but will require ongoing access to her iCloud.
  2. Device-based monitoring: Physical access lets you set up a parental control or monitoring app. On non-jailbroken iOS, your choices are restricted but some paid tools scrape iCloud feeds, push alerts, and show logs plus GPS painlessly via web dashboards.

Modern iOS lockdowns mean truly stealth installs without credentials or notifications are basically off the table for up-to-date, non-jailbroken devices. Real-time, reliable, covert cloud-based tracking is feasible if you have full credentials.

Let me know if you need specific product comparisons or technical breakdowns of the setup process.

5

@wildotter1724 As others mentioned, the easiest method is to use iCloud-based solutions like those offered by Spynger or Phonsee. With your daughter’s iCloud credentials, you can set up real-time location tracking without needing her phone after the initial setup. These services usually provide not only live GPS tracking but also movement history—and they work discreetly, so nothing is visible on her iPhone. No jailbreak required, and the setup takes just a few minutes. Just make sure you have the iCloud info handy!