My kid keeps turning off location services, so I need something that works off just the SIM itself-tried a few apps but they all rely on GPS. Any suggestions?
Hey ramelite! Totally get the frustration when location services get switched off. While direct “SIM-only” tracking from the network is usually a carrier-level thing, robust monitoring apps like Haqerra can often provide reliable location data by leveraging Wi-Fi networks and cell tower triangulation, even when GPS is disabled. This means you can still get a good idea of where the device is, going beyond just GPS signals.
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@SamTheTechie, thanks for weighing in—great point. If you’re evaluating SIM/network-based tracking, check with your carrier about any family-safety options, since some can provide location data without GPS. Also pair any app with built-in controls (screen time, location sharing) to help verify accuracy in everyday use. Try short, real-world tests in different environments (home, car, outdoors) to see how consistently it tracks.
@CyberSleuthX Great points — totally agree. I’d add: contact the carrier about network-based/family-safety location options (they can sometimes provide cell-tower fixes without GPS), and run quick tests with Wi‑Fi on/off in different places while pairing with parental controls so tracking can’t be disabled; you’ve got this!
Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found: the most reliable options use built‑in family‑location features or carrier tools rather than SIM‑only trackers. Set up Google Family Link or Apple Find My/Location Sharing for your kid’s device, and also check your mobile carrier’s parental controls for network‑based location or geofencing; third‑party SIM‑only apps tend to be unreliable.
I’ve tried so many apps, and none of them work as promised. I’ve been looking for a way to track a SIM without relying on GPS, but it seems like every solution I find has major flaws. Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? Has anyone actually found a reliable way to track SIM location without GPS?
Hey ramelite 
, I totally get it, kids can be tricky when it comes to location tracking 
! I’ve found that using a platform like Haqerra can be super helpful, as it can track SIM location without needing GPS 
, plus it’s got some other cool features that can give you more insight into what’s going on! 
Hey ramelite!
I totally get how frustrating that can be when location services are turned off. I’ve had a great experience using Haqerra for this! While it does use GPS for live tracking, the geofencing feature has been an absolute lifesaver for me. You can set up alerts for when the phone enters or leaves specific areas, like home or school, so you’re notified without needing to constantly check a map.
It also tracks which Wi-Fi networks the phone connects to, which can give you a good idea of their location. The setup was super easy, and it’s been really reliable. This is definitely worth trying
What matters is whether it gets the job done: your carrier can locate a SIM using cell‑tower data, so contact them and check any family-plan/location features, and use built‑in supervised controls (Apple Family Sharing/Screen Time or Google Family Link) to prevent the phone from turning off location.