How to track smartphone location with phone number?

Smartphones these days are a valuable commodity — an asset perhaps. It's almost as if our lives are tied to our smartphones. Our phones hold so many things within them — banking details, legal documents, photos, memories, and the list goes on. Given that, losing your phone can be nothing short of traumatic. Hence, it is only natural for us to wonder — could I track my smartphone location with your phone number? ?

How to track smartphone location with phone number?

Well, let me be the bearer of bad news — you can't actually track the location of your smartphone with a mobile number. At least not directly. But you've lost your phone and you NEED to do it! Here is what you can do:

Report to the Police

The first thing you need to do is — report the lost or stolen phone to the police. Here, you cannot just go on and list whatever model your phone is. For instance, you cannot tell the police, “I lost my iPhone 16 Pro Max!” and expect them to find it.

What you actually need is the IMEI number. This is a unique 15-digit number which is basically your smartphone's fingerprint. It is tied in with your SIM slot, which is why dual SIM phones have two IMEI numbers.

How to know your IMEI number?

There are two ways you can find your IMEI number:

1. Dial *#06# on your phone
2. Refer to the sticker on your smartphone's box

This is why holding to your smartphone box as long as you use it is beneficial. It also adds to the resale value, but that's a different topic.

• You could refer to our second-hand mobile buying guide if you are interested

How does tracking IMEI numbers work?

As I mentioned earlier, an IMEI number and SIM slot are tied to one another. So, when a SIM card connects to a carrier tower, it registers both your SIM info and IMEI details of the device into the database. Then looking at which tower your device was connected to, you can tentatively map where your device is.

This also means that only your network provider can track a smartphone's location with a phone number. That too isn't precise to the dot. Additionally, the network provider keeps information like this extremely private as putting such information out in the public domain is hazardous to the privacy of millions of users. This is also why you need to get the authorities involved so that they can coordinate with the carrier.

But there is a catch!

While it is possible to track your smartphone with a phone number, there is a catch. I have already mentioned that the location detail isn't pinpoint at all—it's just a rough idea. Also, everything goes down the drain if your phone is turned off. This is because when your phone is turned off, it won't connect to any cell tower, and no information is registered. Thieves these days are very smart, and they know this. So if they find your phone, the first thing they'll do is turn it off. So here are some other things you can do:

1. Enable the PIN requirement to turn off your phone (if available)
2. Use a strong password (in tandem with the first step)
3. Enable Google's Find My Device or Apple's Find My iPhone services via the iCloud website
4. You could also use third-party tracking apps

Track smartphone location with phone number: Conclusion

In conclusion, only the network providers can access a smartphone's location via a phone number. However, in case of loss or theft, one could file a complaint to the police and request cooperation with the carrier. There are alternate ways to secure your phone as well. But they are all “Plan B”. By far the best thing you could do is not lose it in the first place. Keep your phone somewhere secured, like carrying it in your hand, putting it in a chained pocket, or the innermost compartment of your bag. Even then pickpockets or thugs could get to your phone. Hence, always stay on high alert when outside and don't hesitate to make some noise if something unpleasant happens.