Can My Phone Be Tracked If Location Services Are Off
This question is related to the question above about removing SIM cards to stop tracking. Turning Location services off will only restrict the tracking using GPS but doesnt completely turn it off. Moreover, phone location can be tracked using cellular data by a method called triangulation of signals. So, yes, your phone can still be tracked if location services are turned off, assuming other things are still ON.
Use Best Practices When Using Your Phone
Some common sense can go a long way when it comes to keeping your information away from prying eyes. Delete apps that you dont need anymore and log out of apps after each session, especially for things like online banking. Dont keep unnecessary information on your phone, and avoid keeping sensitive documents or intimate images on your device.
Contact Your Service Provider To Suspend Your Account
Another important step to take if you lose your cell phone is to contact your mobile service provider to suspend the account linked to the device. They will deactivate the phones SIM card to prevent unauthorized plan use and prevent you from paying additional charges due to fraudulent use.
Your mobile service provider can also add your lost or stolen cell phone to a national blacklist so that it will never function on any operator networks in the country.
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Notifying Authorities And Your Service Provider
Q Can Mobile Phones Be Security Marked
A. Yes they can, security mark the battery and phone with your postcode and street number or the first two letters of your house name. The permanent marker will resist general wear and tear, however try to mark your mobile in areas subject to the least amount of handling. Hologram security labels can also be affixed to a clean grease free surface on your mobile. Place them in a high profile position to act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
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So Can You Track Switched Off Phones
Technically speaking, an agency like NSA can tweak the firmware of your handsets in order to track them even when they are switched off. Considering how massive the data collection has been by the NSA since the 9/11 attacks, it would be scary to imagine thousands and millions of people being tracked using the above technique. Till now, the leaks have revealed that NSA maintains a huge database of phone calls made by millions of Americans and outsiders, and they do not include location data. But the rate at which the new leaks are emerging should keep the privacy freaks on tenterhooks.
If you are reading this article AFTER losing your phone, the best option is to check your Google Location History. That should give you an idea of where the phone was when it was switched off. With iPhones, you need to check the Find My iPhone option through a web browser or another Apple device and then look for the last recorded location.
Report Your Missing Phone To Your Network Provider
You should tell your network provider straight away if your phone is lost or stolen, so they can block it and stop anyone else using it. If you dont tell them straight away you might have to pay for any unauthorised phone calls, which can be very expensive.
If your phones been stolen, ask your network provider for the phone’s identification number – youll need to give this to the police.
If you find your phone your network provider will normally be able to reactivate it.
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Call Your Cellular Provider
If someone has stolen your phone and has been able to get in to the device, they could easily rack up some hefty call, text, and data charges. Call your provider right away to suspend your service.
Additionally, if youre unable to perform a remote lock or erase yourself, dont lose hope just yet, as your wireless provider might be able to help. Give them a call, and they may be able to deactivate the device and possibly wipe your personal information from it.
Can You Locate A Dead Phone
The phone might be switched off, or the battery might have gone dead. Its all one and the same when it comes to location tracking of a phone. Your best bet is to follow the guide above, depending on the type of phone you have. For example, use Find My if you were using an iPhone or Android Device Manager if you were using an Android phone to see the last tracked location, which will give you the best possible idea of where your phone could be.
3. Will removing SIM cards stop tracking?
We understand that some of the readers visiting this page wonder if phone tracking can be prevented by removing or swapping the SIM cards. The answer is NO. Cellular tracking is just one of the many ways of location tracking. Apps like Google Maps, iCloud have their own device tracking. Police and Mobile operator/service provider can use IMEI tracking to locate the mobile. Even Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can help with location tracking.
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Can The Police Track My Phone Even If I Remove The Sim Card
If the Police have your mobile phone number then I understand they can track your mobile phone. Now, I understand the mobile phone number is linked to the sim card but if you simply change the sim card does that stop the Police from tracking you? Because I also understand that all mobile phones have a IMEI number.
Can the fact they had the sim card mobile number while inserted into a mobile phone give them access to that number so even if you change the sim card, they can track the mobile phone no matter what sim card is inserted? Hence, if so, is a new mobile phone and sim card is the only option ?
It depends on the method you are being tracked. If we are talking about a “wiretap,” then the tracking is being done at the telco and as long as you maintain the same phone number, regardless of SIM or phone, it will get captured. If we are talking about false mobile towers, like Stingray devices, then you are being tracked by multiple factors SIM, phone number, IMEI, etc.
I don’t know the technical details to answer your specific question, but it might not be relevant.
How Can You Protect Your Mobile Device
- Enable PIN
- Set up your device to lock automatically after a period of inactivity
- Only browse reputable websites
- Only install reputable apps
- Limit third party apps access to personal information
- Never click ‘pop-up’ links
- Only use secured Wi-Fi connections
- Install anti-theft or loss app such as Find My Phone
- Know where your phone is at all times. This limits the chances of unauthorised use
- Never store personal information such as banking details or social media passwords on the device
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How To Locate A Lost Android Phone Online With Google Find My Device
If you want to find your lost Android phone, one of the easiest ways is using Googles Find my Device.
It is a service offered as part of the Google Play Protect. You can use Find my Device to track any lost Android device, including phones, tablets, or watches.
To locate your phone, you will need the Google account linked to your lost Android.
Follow these steps to find your lost Android device fast:
Step 1: To find your phone, head to
Step 2:Sign in to Find my Device using your Google account.
Step 3: Choose your lost android phone from the list.
Once you have done that, you can remotely locate, lock, or erase your Android device.
You can also use it to leave a message and contact number on the screen.
Pros & Cons: Find my Device will , and even features indoor maps of larger buildings. It will also show you the last known location, in case the cell phone is turned off. Another downside to this method is that it works only when WIFI or cellular data is active. So, when the thief disables data, chances of success become nil.
Can A Mobile Phone Be Tracked When Switched Off
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If The Police Knock On Your Door Looking For A Stolen Phone This Might Be Why
There are three types of people when it comes to Find my Phone apps: those that rely on them for peace of mind in the event their phone gets stolen, those who fear them because theyre in the business of stealing phones, and those that have had their lives turned upside down because these apps keep pointing angry phone owners and the police to their door, armed with bad information.
This is exactly what has happened to a couple living in Atlanta, who continually have irate people and the police showing up on their doorstep looking for lost or stolen cell phones. Not surprisingly, the couple isnt running a black market stolen phone ring, but despite having their house searched, registering their MAC address, seeking assistance from the FCC and filing a complaint with the police, the harassment hasnt stopped.
Set Up Automatic Backups
If your phone is gone for good, the loss of the device itself might not be the worst part of the situation. Having to part with all of the information it holds, such as contacts, calendars, photos, and videos, can be heartbreaking.
These days its easier than ever to recover just about everything on your phone by backing it up automatically. Both Apple and offer automatic backup features that are easy to set up.
Backed up your phone but having trouble accessing everything from your device? Data recovery tools such as iMyFone D-Back can help you recover everything from photos and videos to WhatsApp and WeChat messages.
If you use your phone for work, ask about additional security options that might be available.
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Set Up Google’s Find My Device Service Regardless Of Who Makes Your Phone
Make sure Google’s Find My Device is turned on.
Any time you sign in to an Android device with a Google account, Find My Device is automatically turned on. Google’s free Find My Device service is what you’ll use should your phone ever go missing to track, remotely lock and remotely erase it.
Check to make sure Find My Device is enabled on your Android phone by opening the Settings app and going to Security & Location> Find My Device. Alternatively, if your device doesn’t have a Security & Location option, go to Google> Security> Find My Device.
Find My Device should be turned on. If not, slide the switch to the On position.
Finally, double-check that the ability to secure and remotely erase the device is turned on by going to android.com/find on your computer, selecting your phone, and clicking Set Up Secure & Erase. A push alert will be sent to your phone — tap it to finish the setup process.
S To Take When You Get A New Phone
As you can see from some of the steps above, the course of action you take after your phone has been stolen depends heavily on what youve done beforehand. Unfortunately, youre likely reading this post after your phone has been stolen, but nonetheless, you can apply this information to your next phone, or if youre lucky enough to be reunited with your old one.
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The Simple Options Dont Work
If you suspected your phone were being tracked and wanted to start covering your tracks without snapping it in half, your first bet might be to simply turn on airplane mode. That wont cut it.
Every phone has two operating systems, explains Gary S. Miliefsky, CEO of SnoopWall, One that connects to cellular networks, and one that interfaces with the consumer. Airplane mode may only disable features in the consumer facing operating system, such as Android or iOS, but not in the OS used between the phone and the carrier network. A phone may be giving out a ping and youd never know it.
Communicating at all with a cell tower could expose you
It doesnt even need to be sending out GPS coordinates communicating at all with a cell tower could expose you. By comparing the signal strength of your cell phone on multiple cell towers, someone looking for you can approximate your location with triangulation. This requires access to data from your mobile network, which should keep it out of reach for criminals, but carriers can be compelled to provide that data to law-enforcement agencies.
So how about removing the SIM card?
Removing the SIM may work to stop most cyber criminals, but every phone has a built-in feature set of identifiers that may be detected via tools like Stingray devices now used by the police and military, as well as fake 2G cell towers put up by the NSA, Gary explains, Forcing a phone to 2G means no encryption and its easily detected and tracked.
Life Pro Tip: Don’t Confront Thieves
If your phone has been stolen and you’re able to track its location, do not attempt to recover it yourself. Doing so could lead to you or someone else getting hurt, and despite the importance of a phone, it’s simply not worth it.
Instead, contact local law enforcement and let them know you need help recovering a lost or stolen phone that you’ve been able to track to a specific address.
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Can The Government Spy On You Through Your Phone Camera
while the police may not always help, the more information you have, the more likely police are to recover the phone for you. Have ways to detect lost phones, they all can be easily disabled. A silent 999 call alone will not automatically bring help. Bring emergency services to your door and does not allow the police to track your location. with the holidays approaching, smartphone theft is on the rise as i discovered recently when i was mugged at knifepoint for my iphone 5. you can locate your apple watch using the find my iphone feature. And reporting your lost or stolen device to local law enforcement. if youre thinking of using an app to try to retrieve a device thats been stolen, police and tech experts have a simple piece of advice:. even if a phone has gps built in, police cannot locate a stolen or missing phone unless the tracker app is fitted and enabled. That way you cannot only track where the iphone is,. san francisco police have carried out a raid in the search for a prototype of the latest iphone that went astray in a tequila bar a repeat. 18 votes, 35 comments. So my sister had her iphone stolen in nyc and it was tracked to brooklyn with the “find my iphone” feature. scroll to find my iphone. enable the options for find my iphone. also enable the option for send last location, which will send the How Does Mobile Tracker Work Step by Step, can the police track a stolen iphone 5.