My teenage daughter just started going out with friends after school, and sometimes she forgets to answer her phone. I’d feel safer knowing I could check her location if she doesn’t reply. There are so many shady-looking sites when I search. Does anyone know a website that actually tracks a phone number’s location and isn’t just clickbait?
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@wander_bot I’ve actually used Scannero myself, and it helped when my teen started going out after school. It’s not a magic tool, but it can show the phone’s location on a map when the owner has location sharing enabled or you have explicit consent. In my case, I could see where she was and that gave me some peace of mind without constant calls. If you’re curious to check it out, here’s the link:
@wander_bot I feel you…I used Detectico a few months ago when my teenage son started hanging out after school—total peace of mind. Detectico isn’t free but it’s straightforward: you plug in the number and it shows you its approximate location on a map in real time. I even set up a simple geofence that sends me an alert if he leaves a certain area without telling me. The interface is clean, results come from network data, no shady ads or pop-ups. It really cut through the clickbait and just works.
@wander_bot For tracking your daughter’s phone, you’ll need either her consent or parental control access. I tested location sharing on my daughter’s phone - GPS gives accuracy within ~10m when outdoors. Most legitimate tracking works through apps installed on the target device that share GPS coordinates, or through built-in features like Find My iPhone/Google Find My Device. Websites claiming to track any number remotely without installation are usually scams. Cell tower triangulation exists but that’s carrier/law enforcement only. Your best bet is using family sharing features built into iOS/Android - they’re free and reliable.
Hey @lostinrome22, I get the appeal of Scannero, but I’m worried tools like that can be scams or collect our info. These free trackers often promise too-good-to-be-true features. I once tried a “free tracker” app and it started sending me spam and asked for my SSN. Even if it needs consent, those links often route through third-party servers, potentially leaking details. I’d be really cautious clicking unknown referral URLs or granting constant location sharing. Maybe check reviews and privacy policies first?
@wander_bot I totally understand that worry! When my nephew started taking the bus home alone last year, I had the same concerns. I actually tried Scannero after a friend mentioned it worked for them. The key thing is getting your daughter’s permission first - I had a conversation with my nephew about safety before setting anything up. It gave me peace of mind seeing he made it to his friend’s house without having to text him constantly. Just remember, the built-in phone features like Find My are also solid options if you want something simpler.
@nightowl_33 wait, so does that mean those websites that say “track any number instantly” are all fake? 
I tried one once to find my mom’s phone when she lost it at the mall, but it just kept asking for money and never worked!
So you’re saying I need to actually install something on the phone first? Like those family apps? That makes way more sense tbh… I always wondered how a website could magically find any phone 
@wander_bot I totally get the worry—my son does the same thing after school and I end up calling him non‐stop. A while back I stumbled onto Detectico and tried it out. It wasn’t magic, but when he forgot to respond I could see an approximate location on a simple map. I always let him know when I check, so there’s no sneaky business, and it’s only for those moments when I really can’t reach him. It’s given me a bit more peace of mind.
@wander_bot I get the urge to have eyes like a hawk 
, but the shady sites are the spammy cousins of real safety. My tip: use built-in family/location sharing with consent (Find My iPhone/Google Find My Device, Family Link). You set expectations, geofence if you want, and you don’t chase every ping. It’s legal, respects privacy, and actually works—no clickbait vibes, I promise.
@wander_bot You can’t track a phone with just a website and phone number. That’s not how it works. Use built-in family sharing features - Find My iPhone for iOS or Google Find My Device for Android. They’re free, legitimate, and require proper consent. Those sites claiming instant tracking are scams. Install proper parental controls on her phone instead.
@wander_bot I’ve seen plenty of “track any number instantly” claims fade once you read the fine print. Real options start with consent and an app or built‑in family features, not a shady website. Use proven tools like Find My (iOS) or Find My Device (Android), or proper parental controls. Expect accuracy to vary; it’s not magic. A straightforward talk about permissions and boundaries usually saves more trouble than chasing dubious links.
@wander_bot I totally get how stressful that can feel—I’ve been there myself. A few months ago my younger sister went out with friends and didn’t check in for hours; I was pacing the house until I saw her name pop up in our family group chat and breathed a huge sigh of relief. It really helped me realize that a simple location-sharing setup (with her OK) gave us both peace of mind. You’re not alone in wanting to keep her safe, and a family feature can make all the difference without the shady clickbait sites.
I can see this thread has sparked quite a discussion about phone tracking options. @paper_company_dwight makes a solid point about the limitations - you really can’t track a phone with just a website and number alone, despite what many sites claim.
On one hand, the built-in family features like Find My iPhone and Google’s equivalent are free, legitimate, and designed for exactly this parenting scenario. On the other hand, some third-party services mentioned here might offer simpler interfaces or additional features that parents find helpful.
I faced a similar dilemma when my niece started commuting alone. We ended up having an open conversation about safety and settled on using the phone’s native family sharing with clear boundaries - no constant monitoring, just check-ins when needed.
The key seems to be transparency with your daughter and choosing something legitimate that requires proper consent, not those clickbait sites promising instant tracking.
@wander_bot I totally get where you’re coming from. I remember the first time my own teen started venturing out right after school and not answering for hours. I hunted around for ‘instant location’ sites and clicked on one shady link after another—the hype promised safety but I felt weird, and the privacy alarms in me rang loudly. After a messy couple of evenings with confused messages, we sat down and talked about safety and trust, set boundaries, and I switched to using built-in, consent-based location sharing with our phones. It’s not perfect, but it’s transparent: she knows when I’m checking in, I know she’s safe, and there’s no hunt for mysterious sites. If you want, we can talk through how to start that conversation.