4 Best Methods To Track Your Child’s Android Phone

track your child's android phone

Parents want their kids to have all the privileges, but at the same time, they want them to be responsible. Also, the times are changing, and kids do not like their parents invading their privacy these days. In such situations, it becomes difficult to track your kid’s activities. 

Besides, every parent wants their kid to be safe. And when safety is the priority, invasion of privacy doesn’t seem like a big deal.

You should know that you are accountable for your kid’s actions till they become legal adults. 

Thus, imposing parental control rules or restrictions on them is justified. After all, you are the one who has to make sure that your child grows into a responsible adult. One of the best things for their security is to learn about a child’s location. 

Thankfully, the internet and smartphone era has enabled you to use a GPS to track your child’s android phone.

It enables you to find out their location. So, today we are going to talk about the ways through which you can track your child’s Android phone

Is Tracking Your Child’s Phone Legal?

apps to track your child

Any child under the age of legal adulthood is the responsibility of the parents. As parents, you are liable for your children’s actions until they are adults. So, monitoring your child’s phone and activities is legal if you see it this way. 

Besides, every parent has good intentions for their kids. In simple words, until you do what’s best for your child, there are no restrictions on your way of parenting. 

But, if you are tracking your child’s activities, abuse them. In that case, legal actions can be taken against you. So, if you just want to keep tabs as family members, read ahead. 

Reasons To Track Your Child’s Phone

reasons to track your child's phone

Tracking your child’s phone might seem invasive, but it can be quite helpful in many ways. By knowing the location of your child’s phone, you will know where your child is at the moment. 

Every parent wonders once in their parenting experience to track their child’s activities. You might still be up in your head about making this decision.

So, to simplify it for you, ahead are some of the reasons to track your child’s phone:

Keep Your Child Protected

With the increasing crime rate, protecting your child should be your priority. To know your child’s exact location, tracing it via mobile works like a charm. Besides, you can check their whereabouts when your child doesn’t arrive home on time.

Know If They Are Lying

Many parents suspect that their children lie about their hangout place. So, to know the truth, you can use services or applications that can trace your child’s location. This way, you will know when your child is lying.

You Can Find The Lost Phone

Children are often reckless with their belongings, and there is a high chance of losing a phone. So, if you have a device tracking the phone’s location, you can easily find it in case it’s lost.

Monitor The Contacts Directory

Some apps give you full-fledged access to your child’s phone activities. You can also know about the contacts that your children in their contacts are adding. 

Monitoring the numbers added is an effective way to know their friend circle. By monitoring their contacts, you will also know if someone poses a threat to your child.

You Raise A Responsible Individual

There is no doubt that nobody likes when their privacy is being invaded. But, tracking your child’s activity makes them responsible.

Also, they start taking accountability for their actions. As a result, you raise your child into a responsible Adult.

Methods To Track Your Child’s Android Phone

  1. Built-in Location Tracking Feature In Android Device
  2. Download The Find My Device App To Track Android Phone
  3. Track Your Child’s iPhone Using Find My iPhone
  4. Use Google Maps

1. Built-in Location Tracking Feature In Android Device

Google's Find My Device feature

Android and iOS offer an in-built feature for tracing your phone’s location. With this feature, you can find your phone when lost by tracking its location. But, to use it on your child’s phone, you must have their Google or iCloud login credentials. 

Besides, the device should also be turned on and logged in to Google Account. It’s also important that the Find My Device feature and location are enabled. So, if the situation is favorable, you can follow these steps to track your child’s android phone:

  • Visit https://www.google.com/android/find and log in to the Google Account with your child’s email address and password.
  • Click on the Lost Phone option, which you will find at the top of the screen.
  • Make sure to sign in with the main profile.
  • You will get the approximate location of the phone. If the mobile data is off and you can’t track the phone, you will get its last known location.

Remember that you can only perform the above steps if you have your child’s correct credentials. Otherwise, this method is ineffective.

2. Download The Find My Device App To Track Android Phone

searching for Google Find My Device App on Play Store

This method is quite similar to the previous one. But, this time, you will track the phone with the help of the Find My Device App. Most Android phones already come with this app installed.

You can follow these steps to download and use the Find My Device App:

  • Head to Google Play Store and search for Google Find My Device.
  • Sign In with your child’s Google Account credentials.
  • Now, whenever you want to track your child’s android phone, you can open this app. Once you open it, you will be directed to the dashboard that provides you with the phone’s location.

Features of this app include Play Sound, Lock Device, Reset Screen Lock, and Erase. These features let you perform the actions associated with these features. Make sure they only work on devices linked to the app.

3. Track Your Child’s iPhone Using Find My iPhone

iCloud Find My Phone feature

In case your child has an iPhone, then do not worry. We have got you covered. You can use Find My iPhone’s built-in feature to locate your child’s phone. Usually, the feature is activated. But, if it’s not, you can activate it by:

  • Go to Settings and select the Apple ID option.
  • Tap on iCloud and toggle the Find My iPhone slider on.

Once you have ensured this feature is on, you can remotely track the device. You only need your child’s iCloud credentials to access it through a web browser.

To track your child’s iPhone location follow these steps:

  • Visit the official website of iCloud from any browser.
  • Log in with your child’s Apple ID and password.
  • Now tap on Find my iPhone.

You will see the real-time location of all the devices linked with this Apple account.

To specifically see the device’s location, click on the drop-down menu. Select the device that your child is using.

You can use this on any iOS device, including an iPad. So, you needn’t worry too much about compatibility. 

4. Use Google Maps

Google Maps USA

Many people do not know they can use Google Maps to track their kids’ phones. The only drawback is that first, you need to gain access to your child’s phone. Once you have their phone in your hands and that too unlocked, follow these instructions:

  • Install Google Maps App on your child’s phone if it’s not downloaded.
  • Launch the app and navigate to its Menu.
  • Tap on the Location Sharing option.
  • Enable the Share your real-time location until you turn this off option.
  • At last, choose your phone to share the real-time location with.

You are good until your child turns off the “Share your real-time location until your turn this off” option. Remember that you won’t get access to the location if they disable this option.

Recommended Apps To Track Your Child’s Android Phone

too many location tracker apps on Google Playstore

Sometimes the in-built features do not offer enough privileges. In such situations seeking aid from third-party apps might be better.

But, keep in mind that using such apps can be risky too. So, proceed with such methods at your own risk. 

Now, remember that some of these might have time limits. Others might require app purchases for the phone tracker to work. But, there should be a free version for everyone. 

Ahead is a list of some of the most common apps that parents use to keep track of their kid’s activities:

1. Qustodio

Qustodio official webpage
  • Compatibility: Works on Android devices.
  • Subscription: Available with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Number Of Devices: You can link 10 or 15 devices depending upon the plan.

It is better than other apps for security because it supports the geofencing feature. This app also has an SOS button which is useful in emergencies. You can set the geofencing radius up to 200 meters. 

If your kid surpasses the boundary of 200, you will be alerted. This app also alerts you when your kid tries to access restricted websites.

If you do not like this app, you can email the support team to ask for a refund. They respond within two working days.

2. Kaspersky Safe Kids

kaspersky official homepage
  • Compatibility: Support Android devices.
  • Subscription: Available with a 7-day free trial.
  • Number Of Devices: You can connect up to 500 devices.

The location tracking feature of this app is quite extensive. You can enter the whereabouts, the date and time of your kids, and where they are supposed to be. You will immediately receive an alert notification if your kids leave that area. 

Also, to get the real-time location of your kids, you can log in to the parent dashboard. It also offers comprehensive filters with 14 categories. 

This app is inexpensive and offers a 7-day free trial. You can use this app for free but won’t get premium privileges like location tracking.

3. Net Nanny

Net Nanny official app for tracking
  • Compatibility: Supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows Devices.
  • Subscription: Available with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
  • Number Of Devices: License for 5 or 20 devices.

Net Nanny offers custom filters with dynamic screen time management tools. You also get the live location updates and set up geofencing alerts.

With custom filters, you can also block particular apps you don’t want your kids to use. 

From the parent dashboard, you can view the real-time location of your child. You will have to email the support team the reason to ask for a refund. They will try to fix your issue. If it is unsolvable, you will get a refund.

4. Norton Family

Norton Family tracker app
  • Compatibility: Supports Android, iOS, and Windows Devices
  • Subscription: Available with a 30-day free trial.
  • Number Of Devices: You can connect up to 3, 5, or 10 devices.

Norton Family is not just a tracking app. You get tools to impose parental control on your child’s gadgets. You can set different restrictions for each profile as it offers flexible filters. You will also need to install the apps on your child’s phone. 

Once this app is installed on their phones, they won’t be ab;e to turn the GPS tracking off.

You can view their location history and real-time location on the map. This app filters out the website based on its images, text, and metadata. 

There are around 47 types of categories installed in this app. Based on these 47 categories, the app classifies the websites visited by your kid. 

You can block these categories or set a warning message for the kids if they visit them. This app’s screen time management tool is also extensive, which you can customize.

5. Mobicip

Mobicip best parental control app
  • Compatibility: Supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows Devices.
  • Subscription: Available with a 7-day free trial.
  • Number Of Devices: You can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.

You can track your kid’s real-time location with this app, and their location is visible on Google Map.

You can use the Mobicip app’s premium privileges for 7 days without any charges. You can cancel the subscription if you no longer want to continue the services after 7 days.

6. ESET

ESET protect your children online
  • Compatibility: Supports Android and Windows devices.
  • Subscription: Available with a 30-day free trial.
  • Number Of Devices: You can use up to 5 devices.

ESET offers a legal parental control app for Android. You can check the real-time location of your kid. Also, it offers features such as application blocking and time-based app control. 

You can review the list of most visited websites by your kid. There is also an option that helps you restrict the applications that you do not want your kids to use.

 7. Glympse

Glympse complete tracker suit for mobile
  • Compatibility: Supports Android, iOS, and Windows Devices
  • Subscription: It is free.
  • Number Of Devices: No Limit

This app works the best for kids who voluntarily decide to share their location with you.

Kids can share their real-time location from anywhere as it works everywhere. The app operates in the background, so you do not need to keep it open all the time to trace the location. 

You can ask your kids to share their location whenever they reach the destination. It is useful for those kids who go away from home for studies.

8. FamiSafe

wondershare famisafe parental control app
  • Compatibility: Supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows Devices.
  • Subscription: Available with 3 days free trial.
  • Number Of Devices: 5 devices for a monthly plan and 10 for the quarterly plan.

Famisafe comes with a user-friendly interface. So, parents who are not into technology can easily operate this one.

You can remotely check the location of the linked devices from anywhere. 

It offers the real-time location of the linked or targeted devices. You can control the content consumption of your kid. Also, it allows setting limits on your kid’s screen time.

Conclusion

Going through this blog, you must know how to track your child’s mobile. Also, some apps mentioned above can help you track your child’s activity on their phones. 

You can impose restrictions on their screen time and block the apps and sites you do not want them to visit.

So, no that you know all about it, go ahead and take the adequate measures that are important for the kid’s safety. 

Apart from a child’s whereabouts, if you’re looking to track a child’s web browsing, that is an entirely different factor. You can use daily time limits on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook

Either way, now you have the best parental control apps and more. Go ahead and keep your family secure. 

Can I Use the Methods to Track My Child’s Android Phone to Also Check the Phone Model?

Yes, there are several ways to check phone model of your child’s Android device while using methods to track their phone. You can find the phone model through the device settings, by dialing a specific code, or by using third-party apps designed to provide detailed information about the phone.

FAQs

How Can I Track My Child’s Android Phone Without Them Knowing?

There is no such way through which you can track your child’s phone without them knowing. But, if you somehow manage to gain access to their mobile, you might be able to do that. All you have to do is install Google Maps on your phone and open Menu. From there, tap on the Location Sharing option. Now, turn on the “Share your real-time location until you turn this off” feature. Share the location with your phone, and you are good to go.

How Can I Track My Child’s Phone Without Installing An App?

Most cellular service providers offer special services related to parental controls. But, it varies greatly based on each company’s set of rules. Some require kids to agree to grant access to the device voluntarily. Others might agree to give you the information because you are a parent. The best way is to issue the sim card with your ID and give it to your kid. After that, ask for location access from the service providers, who will give you the access.

How Can I Tell If My Phone Is Being Tracked?

There is no authentic way to tell if your phone is being tracked. The only thing you can do is be wary of third-party activities on your phone. If you suspect some background activities are running on your phone, run a scan. Also, try restarting your phone. 

How Can I Find Someone’s Location Using Their Cell Phone Number?

Some third-party apps can help you locate someone’s phone with their number. Regarding legality, first, you will need to inform the authorities. After that, you will need permission to find the person’s location via their number.