Can a mobile phone be located with the location disabled?

Locate mobile

Losing your phone is a nightmare. It contains personal information, photos, access to accounts… it's like losing a part of us! But what happens if your phone turns off or has the location disabled… can it be located? Don't worry, there are ways to track it. methods to track it, even in those cases.

While turning off location is a good first step for privacy, it's not foolproof. Your phone connects to WiFi and cellular networks, which can be used to triangulate your approximate location. Some third-party apps can also track you, even with location turned off.Beware of malware and spyware! They can collect your location without you knowing. So what can we do?

Options to track your Android mobile

Google “Find my device”

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If you are an Android user, Google offers you a powerful tool called “Find My Device.” This feature, available on both web format , the aplicación móvil, allows you to locate your mobile phone as long as it is on and connected to the Internet. Even if the mobile phone is off, “Find My Device” will show you the last recorded location before it was turned off.

Find My Device offers you an arsenal of options to help you recover your phone:

  • Real-time location.
  • Sound reproduction (if you lost it at home!).
  • device lock.
  • Remote data wipe (in extreme cases).

WiFi and Bluetooth networks

GPS is the most common form of tracking, but not the only one. There are other technologies that can be useful for locating your phone, even with the location feature turned off.

The WiFi and Bluetooth networks, for example, can provide an approximate location using triangulation, even indoors where GPS can fail. Some applications, such as KidsGuard Pro, rely on these technologies to provide accurate tracking.

Manufacturers' solutions

SmartThingsFind

Mobile phone manufacturers have also developed their own tracking tools. Samsung, for example, has SmartThingsFindWhich enables locate Samsung mobiles even when they are turned off by connecting to other devices of the same brand. Huawei, for its part, offers Huawei Cloud, which allows you to find a Huawei phone and get its current location or the last recorded location.

Important: Activate these features from the initial setup of your device.

What if you have an iPhone?

Find my iPhone

If you're an iPhone user, you also have advanced tools at your disposal to locate your device. The most notable of these is "Find My iPhone," accessible from the iCloud website or the "Find My" app itself.

“Find My iPhone” offers you similar features to Google’s “Find My Device”:

  • Device Location: It provides you with the real-time location if the mobile is on, or the last recorded location if it is off.
  • Lost mode: Allows you to lock your device and display a custom message on the screen.
  • Erasing data: a drastic option to protect your information.

In addition, Apple has implemented the “Find My” network, which allows some recent iPhone models to be located even when they are turned off. This network is based on the detection of the iPhone signal by other nearby Apple devices.

Other options to track a mobile phone

Connect the mobile to a WiFi network

  • The IMEI number: Every mobile device has a unique IMEI number that identifies it. If you lose your mobile, you can report it to the authorities using this number. If someone finds it or takes it to a police station, they will be able to identify the device and return it to you. It is important to keep your mobile's IMEI in a safe place from the moment you buy it.
  • Location via mobile network:Mobile carriers can triangulate a cell phone's position based on the nearest signal towers. This method is not as accurate as GPS, but it can provide an approximate location.
  • Cloud Tracking Services: Google and Apple both offer built-in tracking options that don't rely solely on GPS. Google Find My Device works even if GPS is turned off, as long as the phone is connected to the Internet. Apple's Find My iPhone uses the network of nearby Apple devices to track a phone without GPS.
  • Using WiFi networks: If the mobile phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, its approximate location can be traced using the IP address. Some location services, such as Google Maps, use this technique to determine positions without GPS.
  • Bluetooth sensors and Mesh networks: In some cases, Bluetooth can be a useful tool for locating a device. Apple, for example, uses its device network to track iPhones and accessories like AirTags even if they are out of GPS range.
  • Third-party applications: There are tracking apps like KidsGuard Pro, mSpy, Cerberus or Prey Anti Theft that offer additional features to track mobile phones with the location disabled. These apps can be useful for parental control or personal device tracking, and some offer options like taking photos or triggering alarms remotely.

Please note that there are factors that can make locating difficult. Disabling the internet, turning off the device, airplane mode, and privacy settings limit the options.

Precautions to protect your privacy and avoid losses

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Mobile tracking must be done respecting the laws and user privacyIn many countries, it is illegal to track a device without the owner's consent, except in specific cases, such as police investigations.

To protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized tracking of your device, we recommend that you:

  • Disable location services and grant permissions only to apps that really need them.
  • Limit access to your location.
  • Install an antivirus and antimalware.
  • Use a VPN to encrypt your connection and hide your IP.
  • Keep your operating system and apps updated.
  • If data protection is your priority, you might want to consider a privacy phone.

To prevent the loss of your mobile phone, we suggest:

  • Add contact information to the lock screen.
  • Make backup copies regularly.
  • Install anti-theft apps.
  • ¡Be careful with your belongings! Do not leave your mobile phone unattended in public places.

Locating a mobile phone with the location service turned off is a challenge, but not impossible. Follow the tips we have shared with you in this post to increase your chances. Above all, be prepared and act quickly if you lose your mobile phone.