Track Phone Numbers with Google Maps: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tracking a phone’s location using its number is a common request in today’s connected world. People often wonder if they can just enter a phone number into Google Maps and find the phone’s location. In reality, Google Maps does not offer a simple "phone number tracker" by default. However, there are workarounds and tools that make it possible to locate a phone via Google Maps, especially if you have the owner's cooperation or use specialized services. This guide will walk you through two effective methods: using Google Maps’ built-in Location Sharing feature and using a third-party service called Scannero. Both methods have their advantages and requirements, which we will explain in a casual, step-by-step manner.

Can Google Maps Directly Track a Phone Number?

Many users initially assume that Google Maps can directly track any phone if you have the number, but this is virtually impossible with just the phone number alone. Google Maps is a powerful GPS mapping application, but for privacy reasons it doesn’t allow you to simply input someone else’s phone number and get their real-time location. Two big challenges prevent direct phone-number tracking on Google Maps:

• Permission and Access: You would need physical access to the person’s phone to set up location sharing permissions, and the person must consent to share their location. Google prioritizes user privacy, so location sharing is opt-in only – the owner has to actively share their location with you.
• No Built-in Number Lookup: Google Maps doesn’t have a feature where you enter a random phone number and find someone’s address or location. The only way a contact’s location shows up on Google Maps is if they are in your Google Contacts with an address, or if they have explicitly shared their live location with you through the app.

In short, Google Maps alone won’t pinpoint a person’s phone by number unless the proper sharing setup is done. The good news is that setting up Google Maps Location Sharing is straightforward if you have the person’s cooperation. In situations like keeping track of your children or elderly relatives (with their permission), this method works well. But if you need a more discreet solution (for example, you want to locate your phone or a loved one without obvious alerts), you might consider a specialized tracking service. First, let’s cover the Google Maps method.

Method 1: Using Google Maps Location Sharing

Google Maps has a Location Sharing feature that allows one user to share their live location with another in real time. This can effectively turn Google Maps into a phone tracker with the consent of the phone’s owner. The catch is you must set it up on the target phone (or have them set it up) and they will be notified that their location is being shared. This method is ideal for families or friends who have a mutual agreement to share locations for safety.

Google Maps Location Sharing allows a person to share their real-time location with trusted contacts. By enabling this on the target device, you can view their phone’s location on your Google Maps app.

Step-by-Step: Share a Phone’s Location via Google Maps

1. Enable Location Services: On both the target phone and your own phone, make sure that location services (GPS) are turned on in the phone settings. Google Maps needs location access to update positions.
2. Open Google Maps on Target Phone: Get access to the phone you want to track (with permission). Open the Google Maps app on that device, and ensure the person is logged in to their Google account in Maps.
3. Go to Location Sharing: Tap the profile avatar (or initial) at the top right corner of Google Maps, then choose “Location Sharing.” In this menu, select the option to “Share Location”.
4. Choose Duration: When prompted how long to share, select “Until you turn this off.” This setting allows continuous tracking (24/7) until sharing is manually stopped. (You can also share for a set duration like 1 hour, but for continuous tracking, choose the indefinite option.)
5. Select Your Account: Google Maps will ask who to share the location with. From the list or options, select your own Google account or phone (you may need to add yourself as a contact if not already). Then tap “Share.”
6. Confirmation: Once set, the Google Maps app will show a notification that “Your location is being shared with [Your Name/Google account]” on the target phone. On your phone, you will receive an alert or see on Google Maps that the person’s location is now visible to you.
7. Track the Location: Now, on your Google Maps, you can tap the person’s icon or name to see their live location on the map. It will update as they move. You can zoom in to see details like the address or neighborhood of their current position.

After completing these steps, the phone’s location will appear in your Google Maps app in real time. Keep in mind that the person will see an icon on their device indicating location sharing is active, and they can turn it off at any time. This method is transparent – it’s meant for trusted tracking (like between family members). If you attempt to do this without the person knowing, you would need to access their unlocked phone and set it up secretly (which is not advised and may breach trust or privacy). Google Maps will also periodically remind the user that their location is being shared for security reasons.

Pros and Cons: The Google Maps method is free and built-in to the app, making it convenient. It’s great for keeping track of your kids, finding a lost phone in the couch (if you have a second device logged in), or coordinating with a friend. However, it’s not discreet – the person has to knowingly share their location (or you must have temporary access to their device to set it up, which is difficult to do undetected). If you need a covert way to track a phone’s location or you cannot physically access the phone to configure sharing, then Google Maps alone won’t be enough. In such cases, a third-party tool like Scannero can help.

Method 2: Using Scannero for Discreet Phone Number Tracking

If Google Maps’ built-in sharing is too limited for your needs (for example, you want to locate a phone without installing an app on it or without the person manually sharing their location), Scannero is a popular third-party solution. Scannero is a web-based phone number tracker that uses a clever technique: it sends an SMS with a tracking link to the target phone and, once the user clicks the link, it reports the phone’s GPS location to you on a map. Essentially, the person’s action of clicking the link gives permission to share their location (without necessarily revealing who requested it), and you can then view their location via the Scannero dashboard (which uses Google Maps or a similar map interface to show coordinates).

How Scannero Works: Scannero is designed to be simple and discreet. You don’t need to install any app on the target device, and you don’t need the target person’s Google account or password. All you need is their phone number and an SMS plan to send the tracking link. The service is often used by people who want to locate loved ones for safety or find a lost device in a pinch. Keep in mind that the target user must click the link in the text message for you to get the location – so it does involve a form of consent, even if they might not realize the detail that you are the one requesting the location.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Scannero to track a phone number:

1. Visit Scannero: Open your web browser and go to Scannero website. You will need to create an account if you haven’t already (Scannero may offer a trial for a small fee, and then it’s a paid service for continued use).
2. Enter the Phone Number: On Scannero’s home page or dashboard, you’ll see a search bar or field to input the phone number you want to locate. Select the correct country code and enter the number of the target phone.
3. Compose a Message: Scannero allows you to include a personalized text message that will be sent to the person along with the tracking link. This is your opportunity to make the SMS enticing or credible so the person is more likely to click it. For example, the message could say something like, “John, you have a package waiting. Confirm delivery location: [link]” or a simple “Someone shared a photo with you: [link]”. (Be ethical with your message content and avoid scaring the person.)
4. Send the Tracking Link: After writing the message, hit the “Locate” or “Send” button on the Scannero platform. Scannero will then send an SMS to that phone number containing your message and a special tracking URL.
5. Wait for the Click: The target person receives the text. If and when they tap the link, their phone’s browser will request permission (invisibly or via prompt) to access location data. Once granted (by clicking the link, they implicitly grant it), Scannero immediately fetches their GPS location.
6. Get the Location Result: You will be notified (typically on your Scannero dashboard or via email) once the location is obtained. You can then view the phone’s exact location on a map in the Scannero interface. The map will look similar to Google Maps and show you the approximate address or coordinates of the phone.

Scannero’s approach is powerful because it doesn’t tip off the target with any Google Maps sharing icons or persistent notifications. The text message might not reveal who you are – in fact, Scannero messages are anonymous, so the person won’t see your name or number, just the message itself. This provides total discretion for the tracker (you), which is why Scannero is often considered more effective for private tracking than Google’s built-in methods. Additionally, you don’t need physical access to their phone at any point, which is a huge advantage if the device is far away or you can’t reach it. Scannero works on any phone type (Android or iPhone) and any carrier network, because it operates through a simple web link and GPS functionality, not through special apps.

Is Scannero legal and safe? Scannero is designed to obtain location with the phone user’s consent (they must click the link), so it is generally considered legal in many jurisdictions as a form of permission-based tracking. One user, a lawyer, noted that as long as the person on the other end authorizes the location request by clicking, it’s a permissible method. However, remember that privacy laws vary, and you should always have a legitimate reason (and ideally the person’s agreement) to track someone’s location. Scannero itself does not install any malware or collect personal data beyond location. The service is paid – for example, it has a 24-hour trial for a low fee (under $1) and then a subscription for continued use. The small cost is the trade-off for the convenience and powerful tracking capability it provides.

Pros and Cons: The biggest benefit of Scannero is how easy and stealthy it is. You can initiate a location tracking attempt in minutes with just a phone number. It’s useful for scenarios like finding a lost phone when someone finds it and clicks your link, or checking on a family member’s whereabouts without asking them to constantly share location on an app. The downside is that the person must interact with the message; if they ignore or delete the SMS, you won’t get the location. Also, because it’s a paid service, it’s not free to use long-term. That said, many find the small fee worth it for the functionality – Scannero is regarded as one of the most effective phone number tracking tools available, offering a reliable way to get real-time location updates on a map.

Visit Scannero →

Conclusion

In summary, while Google Maps doesn’t let you directly track a phone by its number alone, you have two great options to achieve your goal. If you can get cooperation from the phone’s owner, use Google Maps Location Sharing – it’s straightforward and built into Google Maps, though it’s not secretive. You simply share the live location from the target device to your Google account, and you’ll see their movements on the map in real time. For a more discreet method or when you can’t physically access the phone, Scannero provides an ingenious solution by sending a tracking link via SMS. When the person clicks it, you’ll quietly receive their location on a map without them knowing who requested it

Both methods have their place: Google Maps sharing is excellent for transparent, ongoing location sharing among family or friends, whereas Scannero is a powerful choice for one-time or private location inquiries. Always remember to use these techniques responsibly and ethically. Tracking someone’s phone number should respect privacy and legal boundaries – ideally, it’s done with consent or for legitimate reasons like safety. Now that you have this step-by-step guide, you can choose the approach that best fits your situation and confidently track a phone number’s location using Google Maps (either directly or with a little help from Scannero). Stay safe and happy tracking!