Searching for a “phone number location tracker app” usually means one of two things: (1) you want to find a lost phone, or (2) you want to keep kids safer by knowing where a family device is during the day.
Here’s the reality: you can’t reliably pinpoint someone’s live location from just a phone number unless the person consents (for example, by tapping a location-sharing link) or you use a GPS tracking app on a device you legally manage (like your child’s phone).
This guide compares the best options that parents actually use—consent-based number tracking (Scannero) and GPS-based family monitoring apps (mSpy, Eyezy, uMobix, Spynger). For extra reading, see: best phone number lookup services and best phone number tracker sites.
Short on time? Quick verdict
- Best “phone number → consent link” option: Scannero — GPS/IP Address Tracker
- Best for family GPS tracking on a managed device: mSpy — GPS Tracking
- Best for broader “social + GPS” parenting oversight: Eyezy — GPS Tracking
- Android-leaning comparison pick: uMobix — GPS Cell Phone Locator
Quick jump: 60-second checklist · Verdict · Comparison table · What really matters · Best for your situation · Setup tips · Reviews · Legal notes · FAQ
60-second decision checklist
- What’s your use case? Lost phone / family safety / child device oversight.
- Do you have consent or legal authority? If not, don’t do it. Read: Legal phone tracking: what’s allowed and what’s not.
- Do you need “by number” tracking? Use a consent-based link approach (Scannero).
- Do you manage the device? Use a GPS app on the device (mSpy/Eyezy/uMobix/Spynger).
- Android or iPhone? Android is usually easier for always-on GPS; iPhone can be more restricted and needs tighter settings.
- Want “lost phone” steps? lost Android phone / lost iPhone.
Verdict
If you want a phone-number-first approach (where the other person confirms by tapping a link), start with Scannero GPS/IP Address Tracker.
If you want reliable GPS tracking for your child’s phone (a device you own/manage), choose a GPS monitoring app: mSpy GPS Tracking or Eyezy GPS Tracking. For Android-heavy households, compare uMobix GPS Cell Phone Locator.
Try Scannero (by number, consent link) | Try mSpy (GPS on managed device) | Try Eyezy (broader oversight)
Comparison table
Quick comparison of the most practical “phone number location tracker” options parents consider.
| Tool | How it works | Best for | Reality check | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scannero | Phone-number-first (consent link) | Finding a phone with consent, quick checks | Not “magic number tracking” — user interaction/consent is the key | Check |
| mSpy | GPS tracking on a managed device | Parents monitoring a child’s phone location | Most reliable when you control device settings + permissions | Compare |
| Eyezy | GPS + broader monitoring suite | Long-term family oversight (location + behavior signals) | Better if location is part of a wider safety plan | See |
| uMobix | GPS locator (often Android-leaning) | Android-heavy households | Setup-sensitive: background + battery rules matter | Compare |
| Spynger | GPS tracker offer | Extra shortlist comparison | Good for comparing fit; don’t expect “perfect live map” 24/7 | Check |
What really matters (accuracy, Android vs iPhone, and reliability)
1) “Track by number” is usually consent-based
When people say “track location by phone number,” they often imagine a magical map from a number alone. In practice, the realistic method is consent-based interaction (for example, the recipient taps a link and shares location). That’s why Scannero is positioned as a number-first option.
If you want the step-by-step Scannero route, read: How to track a phone number with Scannero (full tutorial).
2) GPS apps are better when you manage the device
If you control your child’s phone (permissions, settings, background rules), GPS monitoring apps usually provide a more consistent experience than “number-only” searches. If you want the best overall GPS options for families, see: Best GPS tracker apps for families.
3) Android vs iPhone: why some tracking “randomly stops”
- Android: battery optimization and background restrictions can pause GPS updates unless configured correctly.
- iPhone: location permissions can be stricter; settings must allow background location, and reliability depends heavily on configuration.
4) The best parent outcome is “safety + clarity”
A good location tracker helps you answer practical questions: “Did they arrive at school?” “Are they on the route home?” “Where is the lost phone?” If you’re trying to combine number-based lookup with GPS apps, read: How to combine phone number lookup with GPS tracking apps.
Best for your situation
Best for “track by phone number” with consent
Start with Scannero GPS/IP Address Tracker and keep expectations realistic: it’s a consent-based, number-first approach—not a secret map.
Best for parents tracking a child’s phone location (managed device)
Choose mSpy GPS Tracking as the most straightforward family GPS pick in this list.
Best if you want location + broader monitoring signals
Pick Eyezy GPS Tracking if location tracking is part of a wider safety plan (screen habits, social risks, etc.).
Best Android-leaning comparison option
Compare uMobix GPS Cell Phone Locator if your family is mostly Android and you’re comfortable doing careful setup.
Best extra shortlist option
Add Spynger GPS Tracker if you want one more tool to compare pricing and fit.
Setup tips & common issues
For consent-based number tracking (Scannero)
- Use only with consent (family safety, lost phone, shared device).
- Double-check the phone number and country code.
- If you need a step-by-step flow, use: Scannero full tutorial.
For GPS apps on a managed device (mSpy/Eyezy/uMobix/Spynger)
- Turn on “Always allow location” (not “Only while using”).
- Disable battery optimization for the monitoring app (Android), or you’ll see delayed updates.
- Keep the OS updated—but re-check permissions after major updates.
- If your goal is a lost phone, also follow: lost Android / lost iPhone.
Reviews
Scannero — phone-number-first location checks (consent-based)
Description
Scannero is the most “phone-number-first” option in this guide. It’s best used for consent-based location checks (family safety, shared devices, finding a lost phone with cooperation). If your expectation is “type a number → get live GPS,” reset that expectation—Scannero works best when the other person confirms by interacting with the flow.
Product highlights
- Phone-number-first approach (good when you don’t manage the device)
- Designed for quick, consent-based location confirmation
- Pairs well with a GPS app approach for families (hybrid strategy)
What’s to like
- Clear use case: consent-based location checks
- Good for “lost phone / family member” scenarios
What’s not to like
- Not a magic, silent tracker (consent/interaction matters)
- Not the best solution if you already manage the device (GPS app is usually better)
PROS
- Best number-first option in this list
- Simple starting point for parents
CONS
- Results depend on consent and cooperation
- Not a replacement for GPS apps on managed devices
CTA: Try Scannero (GPS/IP Address Tracker) | Try Scannero (Search Phone Number)
mSpy — GPS Tracking (best for parents on a managed device)
Description
mSpy GPS Tracking is the most straightforward pick here for parents who own/manage the child’s phone. It’s designed for family safety use cases: checking location, confirming arrivals, and spotting unusual location patterns that may signal risk.
Product highlights
- GPS tracking designed for parent-managed devices
- Better reliability when permissions + background settings are correct
- Strong “start here” option for family location oversight
What’s to like
- Clear family safety use case
- Best fit if you control device settings
What’s not to like
- Not for tracking strangers (don’t do that)
- Setup-sensitive on phones with aggressive battery saving
PROS
- Best “managed device” GPS pick in this list
- Practical for daily routines (school/home)
CONS
- Requires proper permissions and configuration
Eyezy — GPS Tracking (best for broader oversight)
Description
Eyezy GPS Tracking is a strong pick when location tracking is part of a wider plan—screen habits, risky contacts, and overall digital safety. It’s best for parents who want more than just a pin on a map.
Product highlights
- GPS tracking plus broader monitoring suite
- Great for long-term “family safety” oversight
- Better when you need both location + behavior signals
What’s to like
- Good long-term fit for multi-signal parenting
- More useful than “location only” when problems are bigger than GPS
What’s not to like
- May be overkill if you only need a lost-phone location check
- Platform restrictions still apply (especially iPhone settings)
PROS
- Best “broader oversight” option here
- Good for safety routines and accountability
CONS
- Setup still matters (permissions + background rules)
CTA: Compare Eyezy GPS Tracking
uMobix — GPS Cell Phone Locator (Android-leaning comparison)
Description
uMobix GPS Cell Phone Locator is a solid comparison option if your family is mostly Android and you’re comfortable checking settings to keep tracking reliable. Like most GPS tools, it performs best when the phone allows background location updates.
Product highlights
- GPS locator positioning (often compared in Android-heavy setups)
- Useful shortlist pick next to mSpy/Eyezy
- Reliability depends heavily on battery/background settings
What’s to like
- Strong Android-leaning comparison choice
- Good if you want a second opinion before committing
What’s not to like
- Battery optimization can break updates if misconfigured
- Not for unauthorized tracking
PROS
- Good “Android-first” comparison pick
- Useful for family location routines
CONS
- More setup-sensitive than people expect
CTA: Compare uMobix GPS Locator
Spynger — GPS Tracker (extra shortlist option)
Description
Spynger GPS Tracker is best treated as an extra comparison pick. It can help you compare pricing and fit, but you should still expect real-world limitations: background restrictions, permission resets, and platform differences.
Product highlights
- GPS tracker offer for shortlist comparisons
- Useful if you want one more option beyond mSpy/Eyezy/uMobix
- Best used for family safety on a managed device
What’s to like
- Easy to add as a comparison option
- Good for checking fit before committing
What’s not to like
- Not a “perfect live map” 24/7 if the phone restricts background updates
- Not a replacement for consent and safety rules
PROS
- Solid extra shortlist option
- GPS-focused positioning
CONS
- Better for comparing than as a first pick
CTA: Compare Spynger GPS Tracker
Legal & ethical notes
We don’t support hacking, covert surveillance, or tracking adults without consent. Use location tracking only for legitimate purposes (lost devices, family safety) and only on devices you own or legally manage (such as your child’s phone) or with explicit consent.
Start here: Legal phone tracking: what’s allowed and what’s not.
FAQ
Can you track someone’s live location using only their phone number?
Not reliably. Realistic “by number” tracking typically requires consent (for example, the person taps a link and shares location). For always-on GPS tracking, you generally need a managed device setup (like a child’s phone you control).
What’s the best phone-number-first option in this list?
Scannero is the most phone-number-first pick here, designed for consent-based location checks and quick confirmations.
What’s the best option for parents tracking a child’s phone location?
mSpy GPS Tracking is the best “managed device” GPS pick here for parents who own/manage the child’s phone.
Why does location tracking sometimes stop updating?
Most issues come from permissions and background restrictions: battery optimization (Android), “Allow only while using” location permission, or settings resetting after updates. Re-check background location and battery rules.
Is it legal to use a phone number location tracker?
It depends on where you live and whether you have legal authority or consent. The safest scenario is family safety or lost devices on phones you own/manage. Read: what’s allowed and what’s not.

