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Effortlessly locate your device or assist a friend in finding theirs
If you've seen crime shows or listened to true crime podcasts, you've likely heard about law enforcement using pings to track a phone's location. Pinging a phone can be an effective way to find it, but it's important to note that there are limitations—the general public doesn't have access to the same tools as law enforcement, and there are legal restrictions on tracking others without consent. However, if you need to locate your own device or help a friend find theirs, we'll provide you with several methods in this article.
Key Points to Note
- If you know your phone's IP address, you can ping it from your Windows or Mac computer to check if it's within your Wi-Fi range.
- Utilize your phone's built-in Find My Device (Android) or Find My (iPhone) apps to track your device if it's lost.
- When attempting to locate someone else's device, be mindful of local laws regarding tracking without consent.
Follow These Steps
Windows PC
Find your phone's IP address. You need to have your phone nearby to locate its IP address.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the blue i next to your network, then find your IPv4 address.
- Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Tap your Wi-Fi network, then tap View More. Your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses will be shown.
- The location of your IP address on an Android may vary based on your device. If your Settings app has a search function, search for IP address to find it easily.
Press ⊞ Win+R. This opens the Run window.
Type cmd in the box, then click OK. This opens the command prompt, useful for pinging your phone.
Enter a ping command. On Windows, use ping [IP address]. Replace [IP address] with your phone's IP address.
- Your phone and computer must be on the same network for this to work, useful for checking if your phone is near your home router.
Mac PC
Retrieve your phone's IP address. You need your phone nearby to find its IP address.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the blue i next to your network and scroll down to find your IPv4 address.
- Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Tap the gear next to your Wi-Fi network and select View More. Your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses will appear.
- The location of your IP address on an Android may vary based on your device. If your Settings app has a search function, look for IP address to find it easily.
Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock. The Launchpad icon is a grid of colored squares.
Search for Terminal, then click on Terminal.
- You can also access the Terminal through Finder > Applications > Utilities.
Enter a ping command. On Mac, use ping -c [repetitions] [IP address]. Replace [repetitions] with how many times to ping the phone and [IP address] with the phone's IP address.
- Choose any number of repetitions, but a small number like 5-10 is suitable.
- Your phone and computer must share the same network for this to work, useful for checking proximity to your home router.
Locate My Android Device
Verify your device can be located with Find My Device. You can utilize Find My Device to track an Android phone, but certain conditions must be met:
- It must be logged into a Google account.
- Location services must be enabled.
- Find My Device feature must be turned on.
- The device must be powered on.
- It must be connected to data or Wi-Fi.
- If Store recent location is enabled, you can trace your phone's last location even if it's offline or not connected.
Visit android.com/find. Accessible through any web browser.
- You can also track your device using the Find My Device app on another Android device.
Log in to your Google account. Use the Google account associated with your device.
- If using the Find My Device app on an Android device, tap Continue as [your name] for your device or Sign in as guest for someone else's device. If you choose Sign in as guest, your friend will need to sign in to their account.
- If signed in to multiple devices with your Google account, select the device you want to track at the top of the sidebar.
View the map to see your device's location. Upon signing in to your Google account, your device will receive a notification and its location will be shown on the map.
- Note that the location displayed is approximate.
- If your device is not traceable, the last known location will appear if you've enabled Store recent location on the device.
Locate My iPhone
Ensure Find My is enabled on your device. Use Find My to track your iPhone, but ensure these conditions are met:
- Find My must be turned on.
- Your device must be powered on.
- It should be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- If connected to the Find My network, you can locate your phone even if it's turned off and not connected.
Launch the Find My app. If you lack a second Apple device, you can use a friend's device or visit iCloud.com/find on a web browser.
- When using a different device, sign in with your Apple ID.
Access the Devices tab.
Choose the device you wish to locate. This action will pinpoint the device on the map. For directions to your device, click Directions to open the Maps app with route guidance to your phone's location.
- If your device hasn't shared its location for 7 days, it won't appear in Find My. On iCloud, look within 24 hours.
Tracking with Third-Party Apps & Websites
Several apps offer phone tracking capabilities. Family apps such as Life360 and FamiSafe can track device locations, especially useful for parents monitoring their children's whereabouts.
- While some apps claim to provide covert tracking abilities, installing spyware without consent is illegal and unethical.
Many websites claim they can locate phones using only a phone number. However, be cautious with these services as they may compromise your data privacy. When tracking someone else's device, always obtain explicit consent beforehand.
Helpful Tips
Potential Risks
- Understand and abide by local laws. Tracking someone's location without consent is typically illegal in many jurisdictions. It's important to research and understand the legalities in your area and the region where the device is located.
- If you need to locate a missing person, contact your local law enforcement to file a missing person report. Law enforcement agencies have access to specialized tools, such as phone pinging, which can aid in locating individuals more accurately.
