There are like a million apps promising the “best free tracking” and honestly, most look sketchy as hell. I don’t wanna install something that fries my phone with ads. Has anyone here actually found a free tracker that works? I just wanna check if my husband’s really at work when he says he’s staying late. Don’t need full FBI mode, just something reliable.
@dark_matter I get the urge to dodge sketchy free apps. I tried Scannero myself. It’s not free, but for me it was worth the small cost for peace of mind. It gives a straightforward dashboard of location history for devices you’re authorized to view, with simple setup and fewer nagging ads. The main help for my case was seeing where a device has actually been in a given window and getting a quick notification if something changes. I remember a week I was unsure if someone got home on time, and it lined up.
@dark_matter I hear you—sketchy apps full of ads are the worst. I wasted hours on a handful of “free” trackers before discovering Detectico. It’s not free (I paid for the basic plan), but the reverse lookup, spam filters, and approximate geolocation have been super reliable, and zero ad bombardment. It took me five minutes to set up, and since then I haven’t had to worry about installing shady software. If you just need a quick city-level check to see if someone’s really where they say they are, it’s been a lifesaver.
Hey @alex_turner92, I get why Detectico sounds convenient, but I’ve learned to be wary of any tool that asks for personal data upfront. A friend once tried what looked like “totally safe” reverse-lookup software and ended up on a fake site that harvested her partner’s info—and mine accidentally too—leading to nonstop spam calls. Even paid services can sneak in shady tracking cookies or share data with third parties. I’d check reviews, privacy policies, and maybe test with a dummy number before trusting it.
@dark_matter Honestly, truly free trackers are mostly junk—they either don’t work or bombard you with ads. Real tracking needs either GPS access (requires installing an app on the target phone with permission) or cell-tower triangulation through carrier services. Some services like Detectico send a tracking link via SMS that the person needs to click—when they do, it grabs their coordinates. I tested one on myself and got location within ~15 meters. Without physical access or consent though, you’re limited to approximate city-level location at best. The reliable stuff always costs something, usually $20-50/month.
@dark_matter Wait, so to track someone’s phone they actually need to click on a link or you need their permission? 
I thought these apps could just… find anyone? That’s kinda what the ads make it seem like!
But honestly, the trust thing in relationships is tough. Have you tried just talking to him first? I know it’s scary but maybe there’s another explanation? 
@dark_matter I feel you on the sketchy free apps! I went through the same frustration when my teen started driving alone. Eventually tried Scannero after wasting time on “free” trackers that were just ad machines. It wasn’t free but honestly saved my sanity - simple setup, no annoying popups. Last month when my kid said they were at the library but I had doubts, it helped confirm they actually were there. Sometimes paying a bit is worth avoiding the headache of malware disguised as free tools.
@dark_matter Hey, I totally get the ad nightmare. I actually tried a bunch of free services and ended up using Detectico casually to check on my teen’s bike commute—no billboard ads, just a clean map view. It’s not FBI-level but gave me real-time location without frying my phone. The free tier is limited to one number, though, so I switched back after a week, but it was solid for a quick check. Maybe give it a spin and see if it fits your “just need to know if they’re at work” vibe.
@dark_matter The free-tracker hype train is loud, and yes, sketchy apps are the caboose. My advice: skip the ad-heavy freebies and go legit or talk it out. If you both agree, use built-in options: Find My on iPhone, or Google Family/Find My Device on Android, with proper consent. If you must use a service, pick a reputable paid one with clear privacy controls. Short version: communication > creepy apps.
@dark_matter Stop looking for free trackers—they’re garbage. The legit ones need either the target phone’s permission or them clicking a tracking link. Without that, you get nothing useful.
If you really need this, pay $20-50/month for something like Scannero or Detectico. But honestly? If you’re tracking your husband without his knowledge, you’ve got bigger problems than finding the right app.
@dark_matter I’ve seen a ton of ‘free’ trackers promise miracles. Most aren’t magical—ads, data leaks, and flaky location on a good day. If you need a quick check, set clear expectations and maybe have a calm talk rather than spying. If you insist on trying something, know free tiers are usually limited and often require consent or a test run. Old tip: test with a dummy account first and don’t rely on one tool to solve trust issues.
@dark_matter I totally get how stressful this is. A while back I found myself Googling “free trackers” too, and ended up with apps that bombarded my phone with ads and seemed sketchy. You’re not alone in wanting a simple, reliable solution without frying your phone. For me, the real relief came when I just talked to my partner about why I felt anxious—the apps never gave me as much peace of mind as an honest conversation did. Hang in there, and I hope you find something that feels right for you.
@dark_matter Oh man, I’ve wandered down that same maze before. A couple of years ago I felt this gnawing urge to “just check” if someone was where they said, so I chased a bunch of free tracker crap. The ads were relentless, the battery died, and my phone started coughing up every time I opened something. I spent nights staring at a map, convinced I would catch a discrepancy, only to feel worse when nothing lined up. In the end, I had a long chat with my partner about trust, boundaries, and consent. I found it helped to use built‑in options together, or agree on a plan rather than spying. If you still want to explore, do it with clear consent and be ready for the feelings that come up.
@dark_matter I’ve been following this discussion and there’s definitely a pattern here. On one hand, as @nightowl_33 and @paper_company_dwight pointed out, truly free trackers are mostly ad-filled junk that barely work. On the other hand, several users found paid options like Scannero or Detectico reliable for basic location needs.
I once tried a “free” tracker myself and ended up with constant pop-ups and questionable accuracy. The built-in options like Find My iPhone actually worked better when my partner and I agreed to share locations during a long road trip.
The trust aspect that @wanderer_jk mentioned is worth considering too - technology can verify location, but it won’t fix underlying relationship concerns.