Urgent ~ can someone track your iPhone?

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#3302179 27-Oct-2024 21:14

Those asking for help, shouldn't actually need others to ask for more. Being upfront with scenarios make it clearer to get more accurate information. You'll see 2 others also asked for more.

(and many other clicked 'support this post' on my replies)

"Urgent ~ can someone track your iPhone?" and asking for how is simply not enough to go on.

The correct answer to that would be. It depends.

A number of well known quotes cover this already.

Help others help you

You can lead a horse to water

Just like you don't go to a doctor and say 'my back hurts. Can you fix it'. They need more upfront information for a start.

Like. My back hurts, and it likely started because...

maclongshanks

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#3302201 27-Oct-2024 21:49

@Oblivian

Yes the onus is on you or whoever if you need more information. As I said, no one is a mind reader.
We don't know what you need to know unless you ask.
I have no idea what information is needed in this situation as I've never been in it before, and apart from some Googling I'm totally new to it.

Yes alot of people do go to the doctor and to professionals of all kinds and tell them they have something wrong, and the professional or whoever then asks them any number of questions to find out more about it. That's very commonly what happens.

Ruphus

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#3302208 27-Oct-2024 22:17

All of the answers to your questions are given on the first page. Yes, there are apps that can track your location. You either have to opt-in to those apps by sharing your location with others (Life360, location sharing, Google maps), if you give someone access to your Apple account, or if you've been hacked. You can see all of the devices that have been used to sign into your Apple account by reading and following this article.

Check your Apple Account device list to find where you’re signed in - Apple Support (NZ)

Ensure you've setup 2FA, like freitasm has recommended and don't use the same password everywhere.

If you're sharing your location, or using Life360, the accuracy of the location depends on a couple of factors, but generally it's very good, within ~50-100m, even less. For example, I've used Life360 to find my wife in a particular shop in a mall.

There are cases where your phone number can be used to trace your location, but that is not available for general public or a malicious hacker. Think law enforcement, or emergency situations.

Question: Why do you think this person is being tracked? Why do you think it might be their mobile phone that is being tracked?

freitasm

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#3302210 27-Oct-2024 22:29

The dumbphone is actually a great suggestion.

The Nokia 235 for example. Phone calls and SMS. No GPS, no social media, no tracking whatsoever.

maclongshanks

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#3302211 27-Oct-2024 23:16

@Ruphus & @freitasm

Thank you so much guys :) I so appreciate your help, and the others who have :)🐾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

So just to confirm, there's definitely no way they can be tracked through Google, Maps or anything to do with their Google account unless they are location sharing, or they've given the person their Google account password?

Is that the same for Apple Maps? I didn't know about them but we should make sure of that too.

Someone did say apparently you can put someone's phone number into Google somehow, or Maps, and it will show their location just from their number.
I gather from what you've said that isn't true. I hope it isn't.

They were adamant it can be done though. I know people make things up, but we need to make sure that's definitely not true?

They're not using Life360. I'll definitely check all their apps for location sharing.
I have no idea what 2FA is but I will check it out :)🐾

Smart-in-other-ways phones ;) are great, I agree. I had a couple of Nokias like that for years before reluctantly having to cross over to the smart side.
The person loves their iPhone though. And they need it for various reasons.

They're in a difficult relationship situation. The other person involved is the kind of person who could track them. As I say that person is also doing a tech course that covers all of this. I think it's a degree so probably pretty detailed.

Their mobile phone is the only mobile device they have. It would be the only way to track them. That I know of 🐾🙏🏽

freitasm

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#3302213 27-Oct-2024 23:26

maclongshanks: So just to confirm, there's definitely no way they can be tracked through Google, Maps or anything to do with their Google account unless they are location sharing, or they've given the person their Google account password?

Correct.

maclongshanks: Is that the same for Apple Maps? I didn't know about them but we should make sure of that too.

Yes, the same.

maclongshanks: Someone did say apparently you can put someone's phone number into Google somehow, or Maps, and it will show their location just from their number.

This is not possible.

maclongshanks: They were adamant it can be done though. I know people make things up, but we need to make sure that's definitely not true?

Law enforcement and emergency services could do it, with the help of the telco provider, generally with a warrant. Otherwise this is not available to the public and certainly not in any website.

Some trackers work with iPhone and Android, such as Apple Airtag and Chipolo Point.

If an unknown tracker is close to a person for more than a few minutes, the phone will notify the person so the person can search for them. Someone could attach a tracker to a car, drop it in a bag, etc. Again, if an unknown tracker is constantly following the person, the phone will let you know.

Qazzy03

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Ultimate Geek

#3302260 28-Oct-2024 10:30

maclongshanks:

They're in a difficult relationship situation. The other person involved is the kind of person who could track them. As I say that person is also doing a tech course that covers all of this. I think it's a degree so probably pretty detailed.

The "tech course/degree" does not provide any information on tracking someone by just their phone number.
Recommend following previous advice and checking the iPhone location-sharing settings.

I may be making an assumption here but "difficult relationship situation", is a flag to me.
I am going to put some resources below, there is support out there for different situations:

Family Violence Info Line (Are you OK)

The Family Violence Info Line is better known as Are you OK. Their website has a list of family violence services and how to contact them. They offer support 7 days a week from 9am – 11pm. You can also download their Bright Sky app to find support and information.

Family Violence Info Line (Are you OK(external link))

Freephone 0800 456 450(external link)

Download the Bright Sky app https://www.areyouok.org.nz/support-available/bright-sky/(

Shine (Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday)

Shine offers 24/7 support:

to anyone experiencing family violence
to anyone worried about their own harmful behaviour
if you’re worried about someone else.

Their website offers an online chat function and information about planning for safety and wellbeing.

Shine website(external link)

Freephone 0508 744 633

Safe to talk — sexual harm helpline

Safe to talk provide confidential support from trained specialists to anyone who has experienced sexual harm. If you’re unsure whether you have experienced sexual harm, you can talk to them about it. They’re available 24/7.

Their website also offers an online chat function.

Safe to talk website(external link)

Freephone 0800 044 334(external link)

Text 4334

Get legal advice and help

It may be helpful to talk to a lawyer when you’re applying for a Protection Order or a Parenting Order. A lawyer can help you apply for court orders and they may also represent you in court.

Get legal advice and help

Women’s Refuge offers urgent safe accommodation across NZ and can house women and children in danger.

Go somewhere safe

Women’s Refuge (

Get police protection

Police safety orders are issued on the spot to force someone to leave an address, even if they own it or normally live there. They last up to 10 days. The Police do not need consent to issue a PSO.

Police Safety Orders (PSO’s) are issued by the Police to protect victims and their families. This gives them time to make decisions about their ongoing safety, and access support.

During the length of the PSO, the person served the order (the bound person) cannot assault, harass, threaten, stalk or intimidate the protected person, or go near any land or building that they occupy, even if they have a legal or equitable interest in the land or building. The bound person cannot contact the protected person by any means, including through a third party.

Any children living with the protected person is automatically covered by the PSO. Access to any children under a parenting order or agreement is suspended in favour of the person at risk while the PSO is in force.

Police safety orders — New Zealand Police (

Receive other support

If you, or a child in your care, are affected by domestic violence, you can ask your employer for paid domestic violence leave and flexible working arrangements.

Domestic violence leave

If you rent, see what your housing options are after family violence.

Withdrawal from a tenancy following family violence — Tenancy Services (external link)

Safety services are designed to help you deal with the effects of the violence, feel more confident and move forward with your life. There are also courses to help children.

Free safety courses — Ministry of Justice (

MSD/Work and Income: How we can help

If you are living in or leaving a violent relationship you can talk to Work and Income about how we can help you. We have specialist staff in each region who will help you access the right support services, including financial help from us, depending on your need.

This could include:

financial help to get back on your feet - including benefit payments, help with accommodation costs, special needs grants and other assistance
help to find somewhere to live - including information on housing options in your area and, if need be, an assessment for social housing
referring you to other support services and agencies able to help you.

We'll also support you to build a better future for you and your family by helping you prepare or look for suitable work. We'll take into account your particular circumstances and what's appropriate for you.

Work and Income case managers have been trained to identify and respond appropriately to people who are living in or leaving violent family situations. Talk to us about your situation. The more we understand what is happening for you, the better we can help you.

Call us on 0800 559 009 to make an appointment and say "Appointment".

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esawers

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Ultimate Geek

#3302479 28-Oct-2024 14:13

Slightly off topic but a family member thought they were being tracked because every time they arrived home they would receive a message from one particular person. It turned out they didn’t have data, and the iMessage or Messenger message would come through as soon as they connected to wifi, this particular person could see the message had been delivered and then continue to message them.

maclongshanks

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#3302496 28-Oct-2024 15:25

@freitasm

Ahhhhhh thank you so much!! :)🐾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
That's such a relief. I've been stressing wondering if those things were true or not.
If they were it would mean anyone could track anyone. Insanity.
I'm glad the world hasn't gone that mad yet!!

Thank you so much for giving your time and info, we truly appreciate it :) :) :)🐾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@Qazzy03

Thank you so much for that, that's so kind :) 🐾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I feel a bit bad you putting that together as we're already aware of those things. I'm sorry I didn't know to say things like that. But thank you for being alert and doing the right thing :)🐾🌸🙏🏽

The person has said they are learning all about smart phones and how easy it is to 'get into them'. They have referred to tracking as well.
I don't know if it's through their course or because they're tech savvy anyway and they have friends who are.

It just made me aware they could have more advanced knowledge. But thinking about it, anyone can decide to become more advanced. It doesn't matter if they're doing a course or not.
They're into IT etc and know people who are too.
We need to prevent any ways they could potentially track 🐾🙏🏽

If there are any other ways that haven't been covered here we will appreciate any info anyone is happy to share.
If there's a way of being able to let me know how we can stop it without going into detail that might give someone else ideas, that's absolutely fine 🐾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Also wondering about the Mail app on iPhone, as that was talked about on I think the first page. Can that be used for tracking and can we stop it?

Are there any other apps or things that work in a similar way like that that we should turn something off or stop the mechanism for that? 🐾🙏🏽

Edit: So I don't know alot about any of this. I just had the thought, can someone hack into a smart phone and see the person's location that way?
Or see any or all of the content on their phone?

I've just realised the other person has said how easy it is to 'get into' them.
Are there things we can do to stop that that are reliable? 🐾🙏🏽

freitasm

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#3302503 28-Oct-2024 15:42

maclongshanks: Edit: So I don't know alot about any of this. I just had the thought, can someone hack into a smart phone and see the person's location that way?
Or see any or all of the content on their phone?

"Hacking" into a phone requires tool and expertise usually only a government possess.

maclongshanks

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#3302505 28-Oct-2024 16:00

@freitasm

Thank you 🐾🙏🏽
What would they be meaning then? They said smart phones are really easy to get into, that there's not much that can stop you from getting into them.

alasta

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#3302506 28-Oct-2024 16:02

There have been high profile cases overseas of law enforcement trying to access iPhones belonging to the perpetrators of serious crimes, with limited or no success. This would suggest it is near impossible for the average person to 'hack' into an iPhone regardless of how IT savvy they think they are, or how much IT training they may have had.

Honestly, gzt have a definitive answer earlier in the thread with this link to Apple's safety check. This procedure is intended for domestic abuse situations, and it covers everything you need to do for the reassurance you are seeking. Anything more than that is overthinking it.

SpartanVXL

1306 posts

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#3302508 28-Oct-2024 16:10

Simple mail doesn’t reveal location data. It can have analytics around whether you have read it or not, but not precise location data for someone to track a phone.

maclongshanks

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#3302509 28-Oct-2024 16:21

@SpartanVXL

Thank you :)🐾🙏🏽

snj has commented this on the first page of the thread:

'The Mail app checking accounts will obviously ping the servers regularly, which would mean connecting IP would show in logs.

This turned out unintentionally handy when my dad's iPad got stolen from hospital when he was dying, it checked in just before Find My locked it, so was able to give the police that info in addition to everything else.'

Does that show any location data?
(and if it does, can we stop that from being accessed by another person?) 🐾🙏🏽

Qazzy03

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Ultimate Geek

#3302511 28-Oct-2024 16:28

maclongshanks: They said smart phones are really easy to get into, that there's not much that can stop you from getting into them.

Someone is telling you incorrect information.
The iPhone is nearly impossible to "get into".
The US government asked Apple to unlock an iPhone via court order 11 times, and Apple said they couldn't do it.
Apparently, the FBI in the USA might have managed to unlock an iPhone in the end.

So nobody into tech is going to be breaking into your friend's iPhone.

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