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No app in this comparison can reliably show you an iPhone’s live location from its phone number alone. The documented options require location sharing to be set up on the device, or—in GeoZilla’s case—send a request that the recipient must approve. For most Apple households, start with Apple Find My and Family Sharing.
These are tools for agreed family location sharing, not covert tracking. If your son is old enough to understand, discuss what you’ll use location sharing for and when it may be paused.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $587.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $408.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | Unlocked | $265.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $387.73 | Buy on Amazon |
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What “track by phone number” means
A phone number is not a lookup key that gives a parent access to an iPhone’s live location. Apple Find My, Google Maps, Life360, and Findmykids depend on location sharing and setup on the device. GeoZilla describes an SMS request sent to the number’s recipient; the recipient must consent before the requester receives a location. That is a request-and-approval flow, not number-only tracking.
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| Option | Best suited to | What the provider documents | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Find My with Family Sharing | Families whose members use Apple devices | Family location sharing in Find My and location-change notifications | Sharing is a device setting; family members can choose whether to share, with different controls for children and teens using Screen Time. |
| Life360 | Families wanting circles, place alerts, and location history | Family location sharing, Place Alerts, and location history | Turning off sharing stops future updates, but does not erase history already collected. |
| Google Maps Location Sharing | Families already using Google Maps, including across platforms | Real-time sharing with selected people in a Google app or service | It is separate from Family Link. The cited Family Link child-location instructions cover Android and compatible Fitbit devices, not an iPhone. |
| Findmykids | Families seeking child-focused location and place alerts | iPhone support, current location, route information, and designated-place alerts | Install and configure the app on both devices and grant requested permissions, including background location. Features and paid tiers can change. |
| GeoZilla | Families who want to invite someone through a phone-number request | An SMS location request after number verification; the recipient must consent | Works as a consent-based request, not silent tracking. Subscription pricing can change. |
1. Apple Find My with Family Sharing
This is the most direct starting point when the family uses Apple devices. Set up Family Sharing and location sharing on the relevant devices; the family member’s location can then appear in Find My, and Apple documents notifications when family members’ locations change. Apple says each person can decide whether to share their location and make their devices visible in Find My (Apple Family Sharing).
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
For a child, Apple says enabling automatic location sharing can make the child’s location visible to parents and guardians in the family group. Children and teens with Screen Time may be unable to change their own location-sharing settings. Check the current iPhone setup and family controls in Apple’s iPhone guide and Apple’s Family Sharing instructions.
2. Life360
Life360 is worth considering if you want family circles, place alerts, and location history. Its product features and membership tiers vary by market; check the current details for your region on Life360’s site.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Its sharing control has an important limit: switching sharing off stops future updates, but does not delete location history the company has already collected. Life360’s help page also says history may be visible to members of a later Circle. Review the company’s current sharing instructions, privacy settings, and terms before choosing it.
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3. Google Maps Location Sharing
Google Maps lets someone share real-time location with selected people in a Google app or service. It can suit a household that already uses Maps, but sharing must be established by the person whose location is being shared. See Google’s Location Sharing instructions.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Do not confuse this with Google Family Link’s child-location feature. The cited Family Link guidance describes locating a child’s Android device or compatible Fitbit after setup; it does not describe locating a child’s iPhone. Google Maps sharing is a separate feature.
4. Findmykids
Findmykids describes support for iPhone location, routes, and alerts when a child reaches or leaves designated places. Its setup instructions call for installing the app on both the parent’s and child’s devices and granting requested permissions, including background location. Review the company’s product information and iPhone instructions before setup.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
The company lists free and paid tiers, and says its service is used by 3.4 million parents monthly and covers 180 countries. Those are vendor-reported figures; the cited page does not state the year for either figure. Availability and features may differ by location and plan.
5. GeoZilla
GeoZilla’s described phone-number flow is the closest match to a request “by number,” but it still requires the recipient’s approval: verify a number, send an SMS location request, and receive a location only after the recipient consents. GeoZilla says the app works on iPhone and Android. See its product page for the current flow and subscription details; prices are subject to change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
How to choose
- Start with the family’s devices: Apple Find My is the natural first option in an Apple household; Google Maps can be convenient when family members already use Google services or have different phone platforms.
- Decide which features matter: If you need arrival or departure alerts, route details, or location history, compare the specific features offered by Life360 and Findmykids against your needs.
- Check the child’s-device setup: Location apps need configuration and permissions on the phone being located. Confirm that the iPhone owner can see what is shared and how to manage it.
- Understand pause and history controls: Find out whether pausing sharing stops only new updates or also affects stored history. Life360 explicitly says previously collected history is not erased by its off toggle.
- Confirm current terms: Check price, plan features, privacy terms, and availability for your region directly with the provider; these details can change.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
