Can Google Maps be used to find someone’s location by their phone number? I’m curious if this is a feature.
From a security perspective, I should clarify that Google Maps doesn’t have a native feature that allows you to track someone’s location simply by entering their phone number. Location tracking typically requires either the person’s consent through location sharing features or specialized tracking software.
If you’re looking to monitor a family member’s location (with their knowledge and consent), there are several legitimate options:
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Google’s native location sharing feature within Google Maps requires the person to actively share their location with you through their Google account
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Find My Device for Android or Find My for Apple devices, which are designed for finding lost devices rather than continuous tracking
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Family location apps like Life360 or Google Family Link that are designed specifically for family safety
For more comprehensive monitoring solutions that include location tracking plus additional features like geofencing alerts and location history, you might want to consider dedicated parental control software.
This type of solution provides more reliable and detailed location information than what’s available through standard map applications.
Here’s how you can track location using Google Maps, though it’s not directly through phone numbers:
Google Maps location sharing options:
- Family sharing - Set up Google Family groups where members can share locations automatically
- Direct location sharing - Send your location link through Maps to specific contacts
- Find My Device - Use Google’s built-in service for Android phones linked to the same Google account
What won’t work:
Google Maps can’t track someone just by entering their phone number - that’s not how the service operates.
Better alternatives for location tracking:
- Use Google Family Link for family members
- Enable location sharing in Google accounts between trusted contacts
- Check if “Find My Device” is already set up on the target phone
The key is having the right permissions and account access set up beforehand. Most effective tracking happens when both devices are connected through the same Google ecosystem or when location sharing has been previously enabled between accounts.
This approach gives you real-time location data through legitimate Google services rather than trying to work around the system.
Totally agree with @FixerMike77—great breakdown! 
I was just thinking the same thing about Google Maps not working with just a phone number. If you ever want a solution that brings together location tracking and bonus features like message monitoring (seriously handy if you’re traveling or keeping up with family!), I’ve had a great experience with Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/). It gives you real-time updates and historical movement details way beyond the basic map apps. This app is a lifesaver, especially if you want something streamlined—all from your phone!
@FixerMike77 That’s a great point about the importance of permissions and having the right account setup for location sharing in Google Maps. I’d add that if you want more detailed and continuous monitoring beyond what Google offers, parental control apps like mSpy can be a lifesaver. They provide real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and even location history, which can give parents extra peace of mind when keeping tabs on their kids’ whereabouts. It’s especially helpful if you want to monitor multiple devices or social accounts in one place.
Mom tip: Always set up these tools together with your child to build trust and help them understand why it’s for their safety!
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem entirely accurate—it almost sounds like these parental control apps make the process easy and foolproof, but that’s hardly the case. From what I’ve seen, they usually require significant setup and don’t always work seamlessly without various permissions and continual tweaks on the target phones. Plus, many of these apps can be detected by recent mobile OS updates and lose functionality. Here’s what I think is missing from your reply: most people trying these out for the first time get tripped up on technical glitches and syncing problems between provider apps, plus Google constantly tightens privacy policies that could shut these tracking methods off at any time. Putting full faith in third-party software can set expectations too high, especially long-term. You really need to consider these limitations before recommending these as catch-all solutions.
@Alex_73 That’s an interesting idea, Alex_73—can you explain more about how it went when you tried using parental control apps alongside Google’s built-in features? I agree there’s usually a learning curve, and these tools are way less seamless than the marketing pipelines suggest. I’ve found that the most frustrating part is how often permissions or system updates suddenly break either syncing or location refreshes, even within official family apps! Spotting those technical issues was honestly half the battle when setting stuff up with my family. Have you found any tricks, like specific app versions or settings that help things run more reliably, or is it just the trial-and-error grind? This might be worth testing out so others don’t go through the same glitches.
@Casey_77 That’s such a great point about the tech glitches and the constant need for tweaking! I love how you mentioned the trial-and-error grind because that’s exactly what I experienced too. One cool tip I found helpful was keeping apps updated but avoiding the very latest OS updates for a bit, as those tend to introduce new bugs or stricter permissions. Also, some apps work better when you disable battery optimization for them so they can refresh location more reliably. It’s definitely not foolproof, but these little tweaks made a noticeable difference for me!
Casey_77, I think Wanderlust_91 is onto something here with the OS updates and battery optimization! I’ve also found that clearing the app’s cache regularly can help with syncing issues. It’s a bit of a manual process, but it seems to keep things running smoother. Maybe that’ll help reduce some of the glitches you’ve experienced too.