Top 8 free iPhone tracking apps in 2024
Table of content
Most children today use iPhones to stay in touch with their friends, study, or learn new skills on YouTube.
However, they might lose track and end up on websites inappropriate for their age. Thus, keeping a close eye on your kids is important in this technology and social media era.
We’ve compiled the best apps to help you track an iPhone for free so you can stay updated on your family's whereabouts and ensure your kids' safety.
Part 1. Quick summary of the top 8 free iPhone tracking apps
Here is a comparison table of top 8 free iPhone tracking apps to help you weigh the pros and cons and options.
[Swipe left or right to see more details.]
| iPhone tracker | Stand-out features | Free plan | Supported systems |
| Find My Friends |
| Free | iOS and Android |
| Google Maps |
| Free | iOS and Android |
| Find My |
| Free | iOS |
| Google Photos |
| Free | iOS and Android |
| Life 360 |
| Lifetime Free Basic Plan | iOS and Android |
| SpyX |
| Free demo | iOS up to 17 and Android up to 13 |
| Msafely |
| Free demo | iOS and Android |
| FamiSafe |
| 7-day trial | Android, iOS, and KindleFire |
Next, I'll conduct a comprehensive review of these top 8 iPhone tracking apps, analyzing their features, pros and cons, supported phone models, and more. This will help you find the perfect iPhone tracking app that suits your needs.
Part 2. Top 5 iPhone tracking apps reviewed-Totally free
1. Find My Friends
Find My Friends is the perfect iPhone tracker free, as it lets you stay in the loop with your friends' locations. It is excellent for emergencies or phone theft. You can easily locate them through Find My Friends. Besides staying in touch with your friends, this app can also be used to monitor your children's whereabouts.
Features of Find My Friends:
- Parental restrictions.
- Group management.
- Lost device and iPhone finder.
- Real-time GPS location sharing.
- Save & edit your favorite locations.
Pros
Easy to set up.
Simple user interface.
It lets you turn off location or mute friends.
You can track more than one device at one time.
Cons
Strangers can request your location on the app.
This mobile tracker iPhone app may have the risk of hacking.
2. Google Maps
Did you know that Google Maps is also available for iPhone users to track iPhone free?
While Android users widely use Google Maps for navigation, iPhone users can also monitor their loved ones through Google Maps.
It is quite simple to use and provides you with the exact location of your friends and family. Similarly, it is incredibly helpful in finding your lost phone through GPS location. You can also have this app on your Apple Watch and iPad to track their current location.
It offers high accuracy, and you can use it even when driving through its voice navigation feature. Furthermore, it allows users to save addresses with tags for easy access.
Features of Google Maps:
- GPS, GPRS, and Wi-Fi navigation.
- Turn-by-turn directions.
- Location saving with tags.
- Hand-free navigation with Google Assistant.
- Public transit information.
Pros
Offline map access.
You get real-time updates.
Available on Apple Watch and iPad as well.
Easy location sharing with friends and family.
Cons
Limited offline functionality.
It may rely on third-party data.
Drains battery fast.
3. Find My
If you're not yet sure about "How to track an iPhone free?" this app could instantly become your favorite!
The best part is that Find My is a free in-built mobile tracker for iPhone that helps you find your phone in case you lose it. It can locate the phone instantly and keep an eye on your kids' whereabouts. Find My can be easily accessed through the app or Messages.
Open the Find My app on their phone and add your contact information to the People tab. Then, reopen it and select "Share my location" from the menu. This will share their location with you so you know where they are.
Features of Find My:
- View location.
- Location sharing.
- Remote erase.
- Play a sound.
Pros
The application is pre-installed on the iPhone.
You can mark your phone as lost through Find My.
It notifies you when the device is lost or found.
Cons
It does not share location offline.
Not available for Android devices.
4. Google Photos
The next method on this list to track iPhone free is a secret trick!
Most people do not care about this app besides viewing and editing pictures. However, it is an excellent tool for tracking family members or your kids you cannot track otherwise.
Google Photos keeps data on all the places you have been until you turn off location settings for photos. Open the Google Photos app, tap on Search in the bottom bar, and select “View all” under the Places section. It will tell you about all the locations where you have taken pictures.
This helps you determine if your kids have been lying to you about their whereabouts to ensure safety.
Features of Google Photos:
- Easy data transfer across devices.
- Share albums with friends and family.
- View photo location.
- Sort and organize images according to location.
- Save images and videos on the cloud.
Pros
The person would not know you checked their location.
Google’s AI allows searching for specific photos and things in images.
Protects your data by backing up online.
Get location updates even when offline.
Cons
Google collects all location data if the location is turned on.
It does not offer real-time location.
Security risks.
5. Life 360
Though we’ll share more apps to help you track an iPhone, Life 360 is the last mobile tracker iPhone free on this list. It is one of the best applications for monitoring your family’s whereabouts.
You can share your location with your friends and families in groups any time of the day. The app notifies you when anyone else in the group shares their location. It also lets you know when your kids enter or exit a particular area.
It works with iPhone and Android both, so you can track the iPhone from any device through Life 360.
Features of Life 360:
- Real-time location sharing.
- Coordination across Android and iOS.
- Group chats and location update.
- Anti-collision detection.
- Safety elements like Driving Behavior Reports.
Pros
Easy navigation by clicking on Circle members’ photo.
Real-time location.
It offers up to 2 miles of geofencing.
You can track unlimited devices with Life 360.
Cons
Saves 2-day data only.
Privacy breach risk.
Fast battery drainage.
The 5 free iPhone tracking apps I mentioned earlier mainly track locations. Now, I'll talk about 3 paid iPhone tracking apps. With these paid options, you can not only track someone's phone remotely but also check texts, calls, and even keep tabs on social media activity. Let's dive in together!
Part 3. Top 3 iPhone tracking apps reviewed-Free trail or demo
1. SpyX
SpyX is one of the best mobile tracker iPhone that allows you to stay updated on your dear one's location and mobile phone activity. The location tracking features work great with iOS and Android phones, so you can conveniently monitor their activity. Additionally, it helps you find your phone if lost.
The app offers multiple tracking options, including messages, location, social media, notes, and much more. It is perfect for parents who want to know what their kids are up to. At the same time, you can stay in touch with your family’s whereabouts and follow their interests on social media.
SpyX is a feature-rich app compatible with iOS and Android phones, allowing you to monitor over 30 apps.
Monthly price: $11.66 monthly per month for the annual plan.
Features of SpyX:
- Location history recording.
- Track SMS, call logs, browser history, WhatsApp, and more than 30 cell phone activities.
- Keylogger.
- Compatible with iOS and Android.
Pros
It works in hidden mode.
No need to install any app on the phone you want to track.
The app offers 15-day money-back guarantee.
SpyX monitors over 16 social media apps.
It takes only 3 minutes to install and set up.
24/7 customer service.
Cons
Specific solutions for iPhone and Android.
2. Msafely
While you cannot track an iPhone for free through Msafely, many parents use it. Msafely is a child safety and monitoring app that lets you track your child's location and phone activities.
You can monitor multiple apps on their phone, including text messages, photos, and videos, call history, facetime monitoring, browser history, and location. Furthermore, it also gives you insights into WhatsApp, Line, and other installed apps.
Monthly fees: $8.33 for a one-year subscription.
Features of Msafely:
- Detailed activity report.
- Geofencing up to 1,000 meters.
- Tracks WhatsApp and Line.
- Spy call logs.
Pros
Location and overall usage time at a glance.
Msafely offers dynamic customer service.
Cons
You require the Gmail password of the monitored device.
3. Famisafe
FamiSafe is a popular app among parents that allows you to monitor your children’s mobile activity and whereabouts throughout the day. You can conveniently access your family’s accurate live location through the app and analyze the location history as well.
Furthermore, it allows you to track safe and unsafe locations through geofencing. Additionally, you can set driving limits to monitor your kids' driving speed. It provides a driving report to check if your kid has been driving unsafely. FamiSafe also gives you details like the highest and average speed, driving duration, total distance covered, and hard braking.
Monthly fees: $9.99
Features of FamiSafe:
- Precise location tracking.
- Selectively block inappropriate apps.
- Web filter.
- Driving report.
- YouTube history tracker and blocker.
Pros
One of the fastest location updates.
Allows remote control.
Screen time management.
Reverse location sharing.
Cross-platform tracking.
Cons
Limited offline functionality.
The free trial has fewer features.
Kids can disable the location.
Part 4. Key factors to consider when choosing the top iPhone tracking app
- Device compatibility
Device compatibility is important when choosing a mobile tracker iPhone, whether free or paid. If all family members have an iPhone, opt for an iOS-compatible app; otherwise, choose one that works with Android phones as well.
- Tracking features
The application must provide real-time tracking of the contacts to help you ensure their safety. At the same time, notifying you that your kids are entering specified unsafe zones and sharing offline locations are additional benefits. Some apps like SpyX also track other mobile phone activities like social media monitoring, adding an extra layer of protection.
- Hidden and dependability
Sometimes, kids do not like being tracked and feel suffocated. So, it's better to pick an application that does not notify them of location sharing. At the same time, you must be sure that the application provides accurate and dependable data.
- User-friendliness
Complicated applications might make it difficult to track your family's real-time data when needed urgently. Download an application with an easy user interface so you do not have to click several tabs to obtain the location.
- Customer support and reputation
If you have trouble finding your kid or family's location, customer support must be able to assist you immediately. Check reviews and choose a mobile tracker free for iPhone with a good reputation.
Based on compatibility, tracking features, installation ease, after-sales service, and other factors, the top 8 iPhone tracking apps rank as follows:
[Swipe left or right to see more details.]
| iPhone tracking apps | Rate | Device compatibility | Tracking features | Hidden | User-friendliness | Customer support | Price |
| SpyX | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location, SMS, call logs, WhatsApp and over 30 other mobile activities. | No app or icon appears on the target phone. |
| 24/7 customer service. | $11.66 monthly per month for the annual plan. |
| Msafely | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location, photos, videos, and over 20 other mobile activities. | No app or icon appears on the target phone. |
| 24/7 customer service. | $8.33 for a one-year subscription. |
| Famisafe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location. Set screen time limits. Block specific apps & websites. | An app will appear on the target phone. |
| 24/7 customer service. | Monthly fees: $9.99 |
| Google Maps | ⭐⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location. | An app will appear on the target phone. | Needs to install an app. | No live chats. | Free |
| Life 360 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location. | An app will appear on the target phone. | Needs to install an app. | No live chats. | Free for basic plan. |
| Find My | ⭐⭐ | Only supports iPhone | Location. | An app will appear on the target phone. | Apple's built-in settings, no installation required. | No live chats. | Free |
| Find My Friends | ⭐⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location. | An app will appear on the target phone. | Needs to install an app. | No live chats. | Free |
| Google Photos | ⭐ | Supports iPhone & Android | Location. | An app will appear on the target phone. | Needs to install an app. | No live chats. | Free |
Part 5. How to use the top iPhone tracking app to track an iPhone secretly
Most mobile trackers for iPhone are easy to use. Here’s how you can track your family or friend’s location using SpyX:
Step 1. Sign up
Click Try Now on SpyX website and add your credentials to get started; you can also sign up using your Google account.
Step 2. Select the target device
Once you log in, the app will give you options between an Android and iPhone to select the device you want to track. Choose an iPhone if you want to track an iPhone. Alternatively, you can decide later.
Step 3. Connect the device
If you have already selected iPhone in the second step, add the target device’s Google account and password to track their location.
Step 4. Verification
You will receive a verification code on your device or SMS to verify the agreement between both devices. Verify that both device users agree to location sharing.
Step 5. Track location
Once you join the target device, you will see multiple options, including location, photos, messages, calls, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and more. Click on Location to track the iPhone's location.
Part 6. Reasons to use an iPhone tracker for tracking an iPhone
Using an iPhone tracker to track an iPhone allows you to ensure compatibility without cross-platform control and management issues. Here's how using an iPhone tracker is a better choice:
- It helps you stay updated on your family’s location and respond immediately in an emergency.
- Partners can track their SO’s whereabouts for safety concerns; some also use it to catch cheating partners.
- Most importantly, you can track your lost phone more conveniently than using an Android.
Part 7. FAQs about top iPhone tracking app
Q1. Is there a free iPhone tracker?
You can choose from multiple free iPhone trackers, but the built-in Find My app is the most popular among iOS users. The app allows you to effortlessly log into it through your iCloud and monitor your phone's location.
Q2. Can an iPhone track another iPhone?
You can use the Family Sharing feature in Find My to track a family member's device or ask Siri. Furthermore, Google Maps also allows location sharing.
Q3. Is Life360 safe?
Life 360 is a safe application free from viruses and has been approved by the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. But the free version offers limited features, and you will need to subscribe to the paid plan for complete access.
Q4. How can I find my dead iPhone without iCloud?
You can find your dead iPhone by using the IMEI number on your device to trace it. Alternatively, try accessing your phone through Google's Find My Device service or using third-party tracking apps.
Part 8. Summary
Google Maps is undoubtedly one of the best choices when looking for a mobile tracker free for iPhone to track your family or partner’s location. At the same time, most iPhone users prefer Find My to find their iPhone’s location through another iOS device.
On the other hand, SpyX and FamiSafe are among the most credible paid applications for detailed reports and accurate location monitoring.
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