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The mushroom and berry season is in full swing, and it happens that while walking through the forest, you realize that you are lost. How can you determine the coordinates of your location using a smartphone? Any modern smartphone not only successfully replaces a regular map, but can also compete with specialized GPS devices. Smartphone applications can help you find your way no matter where you are: in the city, outside the city, in the forest or even in a shopping center.
Most smartphones run Apple iOS and Android operating systems.
Track your location using Device Manager
There is nothing easier than tracking the geolocation of your Android device. While the location tracking service is enabled, you can use the one provided by Google's Android Device Manager. To do this, you need to sign in to your Google account and allow the collection of location data.
When you do this, you will see the exact GPS location of your smartphone on Google maps.
To the left of the map you will see three functions:
- Play a sound: Makes the smartphone ring for five minutes, even if it is set to silent. If the smartphone is anywhere nearby, you will hear it.
- Lock: Locks your device so that no one can access your data.
- Erase: Remotely erases all information on the device.
Activate the tracking service on your phone so that Google can record your smartphone's location. Thanks to this, you can quickly use one of the functions described above and protect your personal data.
The lock feature can help you get your smartphone back. It allows you to display a message on the lost device for the finder of the smartphone. As well as a phone number where you can be reached.
More tools are available on the Find Your Phone page. This page will show a list of all the devices you have used to access Google. You can select the smartphone or tablet you want to search from the list.
After which you will see a long list of utilities:
- Check recent security events: Displays a list of Google password change or reset requests.
- Lock your phone: Allows you to lock your smartphone so that no one can access it.
- Try calling your phone: Gives you access to your contacts (to find the number if you've forgotten it) or to a Google Hangouts session to call your smartphone.
- Sign out of Google on your phone: Allows you to sign out of your Google profile on your mobile device so that no one can access information from it.
- Erase your phone: This feature will immediately erase all information from your smartphone.
Click on the "Locate" link for a way to track the location of your mobile device. After which a map with the specified position of the smartphone will be displayed.
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The blocking option will provide the person who finds your smartphone with a call button and a message that you can specify.
Keep in mind that using the Erase your phone feature will erase all data that Google has access to on your smartphone. However, Google will not be able to erase the information stored on the memory card.
When you erase the contents of your smartphone, you will lose information from your Google account. You will no longer be able to use the services listed above.
The deletion tool is a last resort. It should only be used if you are completely sure that you have lost your smartphone forever.
How to enable geolocation on your phone
As mentioned earlier, geolocation is available to almost all devices on the Android system. There are several connection methods, which are worth discussing in more detail below. The methods will help you connect quickly, without additional settings, and determine the coordinates.
The user can use location to easily figure out the route, accurately describe and calculate many measurements. There are electronic bracelets that can connect to geolocation and help the user record where he is currently located.
To enable this function on your phone, you just need to do a couple of steps:
- First you need to go to the settings of your smartphone. As a rule, it’s easy to go to settings by tapping on the gear-shaped icon;
- After this, you need to go to the “Personal” section. It contains the necessary item called “Connection”;
- Now you should use the slider to activate the “Geodata” function, which is located below some other functions.
On Android, the function to determine the user's location will become automatically available. Now many applications will be able to view the accuracy of coordinates and use them to protect data. In the mode line you can also determine which operators will be able to transmit and receive, with the help of which the determination will be made.
Location services operating modes
As mentioned earlier, in the settings you can adjust such a thing as choosing a service mode. This is a fairly important stage that determines the accuracy of the data, location determination and much more. For example, if a user chooses recognition using mobile operators, then he risks spending a lot of battery power, while if he chooses geolocation as the main method, then he will save charging and be confident in the accuracy of all data.
There are several operating modes for geolocation services:
- Using a mobile operator. That is, operators such as MTS, Beeline and others can provide a function to determine the user’s position. The owner of a smartphone only needs to connect to the Internet. You can also use a selection of available wireless connections. This method does not provide accurate results, but it is often used as an alternative;
- GPS satellites are the most accurate option. It works according to the method described above. Satellites are needed to determine coordinates. Using a smartphone, you can ensure the accuracy of data execution. Moreover, almost all phones are equipped with a special module for this action;
- According to all sources, this is another method that is used in the phone. This is a kind of combination of both the work of the communications service and satellites. This function is often called “High Accuracy” in the system. So named because it combines different types of data. Coordinates from one base are superimposed on the other. The result is maximum accuracy.
To choose a service mode, it is worth understanding the capabilities and goals. If the user wants maximum accuracy of determination, for example, to get directions, then he should use the third option “using all sources.” This way the data transfer will be maximum. If mode and accuracy are not so important, then you can use GPS, it saves battery.
Location history and geodata transfer
If the user exits “Location” in the settings, then when he scrolls down he will find that there are a huge number of functions that can be viewed and further configured. They also have a feature such as location history. Roughly speaking, this function tells where the user has already been, recording absolutely all coordinates. Also, such a story can be viewed at any time, and it can also be easily turned off if necessary.
The history is saved on Google servers. To disable it, simply move the slider to the inactive state. After this, the data will not be saved.
The location history can be accessed at any point in time as it is recorded in history. To go to it, you need to open Google maps and the “Chronicle” section. All actions will be shown there.
Another function is “geodata transfer”. It is necessary so that the user can send his geolocation to another user at any time. There are many situations, which is why this function is so important. If, for example, the user does not know where he is, then another person will help him with this. Or if your smartphone was lost.
Track iPhone from Android Device
Want to track your iPhone's location? No problem. Even if you're on Android, you can still track your iPhone's location using Apple's Find My iPhone service. But there's a catch.
If you try to visit your iPhone's iCloud search page, you'll receive a message that says your browser is not supported.
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But Android users can bypass this limitation. To do this, click the menu button located in the upper right corner of the browser window and select “Full version” from the drop-down list. It is assumed that you are using the mobile version of the Google Chrome browser.
Once you enable this option, the iCloud account login page will be displayed. Sign in to your iCloud profile. After this, a map will appear with the exact location of your iPhone.
Just like with an Android device, you will need to enable location services. But first you need to activate the smartphone search function.
Now you know how to track iPhone location even if your other devices are Android.
Method No. 5 from Google. Timeline (Android and iOS)
You must know the account and password of the account of the person you are trying to track.
Unlike “Remote control”, the chronology method does not show the current location at the current minute, but you can track a person’s movement over the course of a day, week, month.
- Go to the "Chronology" page in your browser
- Select the date you are interested in, after which you will be able to move the “object” for the entire specified time
That's actually how to track someone else's phone, now let's look at other applications that allow you to find out who the person called.
Finding a smartphone's location via Facebook
If you log into the Facebook app on your mobile device, you will see a “Friends Nearby” link. Click on it and you will find out which of your friends on the social network has enabled the “share your location with friends” option.
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This section of the Facebook app will tell you the last time your friend logged into Facebook and from what location. This is one of the easiest ways to find out the location of your friends.
You can also find your friends through Facebook messenger by clicking on the “+” button located on the left side of the application and selecting the location icon.
This will show the recipient of the message a small map with your smartphone's location on it.
Share your location on Google maps
Another way to tell family and friends your location is Google Maps. If you open a map service and enter its menu, you will see a “Share location” link in the list.
By clicking on it, you will be able to share the location of your mobile phone for a limited time. You will be able to configure this period of time or disable the option.
Here you can also specify all the people with whom you want to share your location. After that, you will see your friends' smartphones on the map, indicated by icons from their Google profiles.
This is a good way for the whole family to know each other's location.
What do you like best?
Finding the location of a mobile device is now much easier than ever before. Using any of the methods described in this article, you can find your smartphone, as well as the devices of friends and family.
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Sergey Benzenkoauthor-translator
Is it possible to spy on a person without his consent?
Secret surveillance is possible only for minors and incompetent citizens with the consent of their legal representatives (guardians). Most often, parents control the movement of their children.
Obtaining personal information about a person without his knowledge is punishable in accordance with Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The type of punishment is determined by the court. The offender may potentially face the following sanctions:
- compulsory work for up to 360 hours;
- imprisonment for up to 2 years;
- forced labor for up to 2 years;
- a fine of up to 200,000 rubles;
- arrest for up to 4 months;
- correctional labor for up to 12 months.
There are several ways to determine the location of your Android phone. Most of these methods need to be taken care of in advance - install the application, configure data transfer.
