How to Track Someone with Google Maps Without Their Knowledge

 

 

There are many instances when one may need to identify the location of other people without them knowing using Google Maps and other similar apps. Many things may happen that may necessitate the need to use this technology. For instance, you may need to know the location of a cheating partner. You may have lost your phone and want to know its precise location. Your phone may have been stolen and you want to locate and subsequently recover it.  These are some of the scenarios which will make someone use tracking features or apps on the phone to identify locations. Google  Maps is the major tracking feature that is incorporated in mobile phone devices intended to serve this purpose. In some instances, this feature is used in connection with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.

While there are tracking methods that solely rely on GPS  or the use of this technology in connection with tracking apps to pinpoint the location of people, this write-up will discuss the use of Google Maps to identify a location. Moreover, as already implied in the opening line and the main heading, our focus is on the use of Google Maps without our targets actually knowing that they are being tracked. It is important to note that, though Google Maps is an app, it can double as an inbuilt tracking feature in almost all cell phones. Whatever the case what matters is that the devices in question are using Google Maps as a tracking tool.

Using Google Maps as cellphone tracking tool

This method requires having access to the target’s cellphone to make the required settings before tracking them. Tracking can also be done by viewing the location history of someone using Google Maps.

 

Tracking by making Google Maps settings

You should do the following to enable tracking on the device using this method

1. Start by opening Google Maps on the cellphone you want to track
2. Click on the menu and select “Share Location”
3. Set or select the time period for which the target cellphone will be under surveillance
4. Click on people and choose your target contact to enable location sharing. Take note that location can also be shared through any messaging app.

Pros of using settings method

1.   It is free of charge
2. It is very precise and gives accurate location details
3. The method is simple to use
4. Target phone can be tracked once settings have been enabled on your phone 

Cons of using settings method

1. Notification pop-ups may alert the targets that someone is tracking them
2. Passcode and direct access are needed to get the real-time location of a phone  

 

Tracking by viewing location history

To view the location history of a gadget, follow the steps outlined below:

1.  Launch Google Maps on the gadget whose owner you want to follow
2. Select “Your Timeline” from the menu
3. On the right side of the phone screen tap on the calendar icon
4. Select a date whose location history you want to view by swiping right and left
5. Select and tap on the date you want to check

Pros of using history method

1.  The method is free of charge too
2. It is very precise and gives accurate location details
3. The method is simple to use

Cons of using history method

1.  Notification pop-ups may alert the targets that someone is tracking them
2. You need a passcode and direct access to get the real-time location of the phone  
3. You need to have regular access to the phone

Tracking with Google Earth

There are a number of apps and programs that can be used in connection with Google Maps to track devices and hence the people that own them. Google earth is one of such programs.

This program gives a three-dimension representation of the earth based on satellite images. The program can be found in a wide spectrum of devices including Mac, iOS, Android, Windows,
and Linux. Below are the steps that you need to follow when tracking a phone using this service.

1. Open the web browser and type “https://google.com/latitude/” and tap the enter button
2. Enter your Google email id and password of the phone you are about to start tracking on Google Maps to log in
3. Enter your mobile number or click “Send a link to my phone” and resort to visiting the link above on your mobile browser
4. You will receive a message on your phone containing the URL, however, your cellular network is likely to charge you more for this service
5. Open the URL  on your mobile browser by tapping on it
6. Tap on “Yes” to “Allow Google Latitude to view your current location”
7. Once you follow the above steps you will find the location of your phone on Google earth

Pros of using this approach

1. It is a free Google service
2. It has a large geographical coverage
3.  You can access the service on a range of gadgets

Cons of using this approach

1. Third-party cellular providers charge for the service
2. It seems rather complex compared to Google Maps
3. It may be difficult to retrieve the device if it has crossed borders

Tracking using Google Find My Device

Google find my phone is another service that can be used to track people without their knowledge. With this service, it is possible to monitor and even remotely operate a lost phone. For instance, you can ring your lost phone remotely even if it is on vibration. There are certain requirements, however, that must be fulfilled for one to have the ability to do so. The target phone needs to be on, logged into a Google account, and should be online in addition to being visible on Google play and having its “Location” and “Find My Device turned on”.

Pros of using Google Find My Device

1. You can trace the phone without the person having it knowing
2. You can operate the phone remotely
3. It's possible to know where it was last seen
4. You can protect sensitive information by erasing the phone

Cons of using Google Find My Device

1. You need to install the app on your phone
2. You cannot operate the phone if requirements are not met
3. You cannot protect sensitive information if conditions are not met
4. Memory cards cannot be erased remotely

 

Tracking using Google My Maps

Google My Maps can be used as a mobile number tracker and as such can be effectively used to track anonymous callers. Moreover, this app can be used to stop mysterious or anonymous callers from calling again. Apparently, Google My Maps requires one to create and upload their own maps on the website once they start using this facility. This app is similar to Google Maps except it is sort of personalized.                                                                                                                                                     Though the apps are similar in terms of features, My Maps lacks advanced features found on the main app.

Pros of Google My Maps

1. It most likely helps people easily find your location
2. It amplifies the visibility of your business
3. It increases customer credibility for your business
4. It gives you an upper hand in dealing with unknown calls
5. It gives more details about various location
6. It is very customizable
7. It can easily be shared

Cons of Google My Maps

1. Your personal locational privacy may be compromised
2. It may compromise the locational  privacy of other people
3. Some structures may be obscured, say by roads
4. The app lacks bridge height filters
5. You cannot access direction layers on your phone for navigational purposes

Using Other Location Tracking Apps

There are several location tracking apps on the market these days. The only hindrance to the use of these apps is that most of them are not available for free. However, these apps can prove very effective for tracking loved ones or even lost devices. It is not a bad idea to invest in such apps especially when we have people dear to us whose movements we need to monitor. Examples of such devices include FamiGuard, KidsGuard, and mSpy.

Paid location tracking apps have a lot of features that make it possible to track someone without them having any clue whatever. One of the features some have is that they can go incognito as soon as they are installed. It is also possible to access the dashboards of some of these apps remotely, from a different device. As if that isn’t enough, some of these apps can be used to monitor the phone activity of the person being tracked. These apps can do a number of things including reading messages and monitoring social media engagement. As such, these devices are ideal for tracking ‘troublesome loved ones’ like teenagers who cannot appreciate being monitored at all.

Pros of  using Location Tracking Apps 

1. Apps mostly give accurate location information
2. Can easily track someone without leaving a trace
3. Apps often come with great phone monitoring features
4. Most effective and reliable way of tracking mobile devices

Cons of using Location Tracking Apps

1. Mostly paid versions are available
2. You need to have access to the phone to install app

Frequently asked questions (FAQS)

1. How can one create their maps on Google Maps?

    It is easy to create a map on this app since there are a number of tutorials online on this topic.

2. Does Google Maps have any limitations?

    It has limitations on the number of layers that can be added per map.

3. How reliable in terms of accuracy is Google My Maps?

     The degree of accuracy isn’t very high due to ‘ambiguities and flaws’ in location data

4. Can Google Find My Device work when there is no internet?

     Yes, all mapping apps including Google Find My Device can work without internet.

5. Is Google Find My Device safe to have on my phone?

     Yes, this app is safe since it is also built to protect the phone against malicious content.

6. Does Google Find My Device notify my phone when someone is checking my location?

     No, it doesn’t send any notifications on that.

7. Can anyone other than security agencies and cellular service providers access Google Earth?

     Yes anyone can access this service as long as they can visit the link above.

8. Can a mobile number only do when accessing Google Earth?

     Yes, it can, but you don’t need to send the link to your phone.

9. Can one identify people or their gadgets in satellite and aerial imagery?

     No, the resolution of such images is too low for them to be recognized.

10. How do I ensure that the person I am tracking does not know they are being followed?

      This can be done by hiding your location on Google  Maps or by installing an app.

 

Conclusion

As can be seen from the above it is possible to track a person without their knowledge. You can track anyone so long as you have access to their device. Other than that you will need to have their number to be able to track them on apps like Google Earth. What matters is that you choose a facility that is convenient for you and that you follow the steps outlined in this article. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be able to track someone with ease without them having a clue. It is important that we familiarize ourselves with these tracking technologies in order to keep abreast with the fast-changing world of technology. Needless to say, the facilities discussed above can go a long way in addressing many social and economic problems in various localities. With the technology that Google Maps provides, if properly harnessed when the need arises, there will be fewer cases of missing assets or people.

 

 

 

April 17, 2021 Tags : Product reviews

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