My kid just got their first phone and I want to be able to see where they are without having to text them every five minutes. I know google maps has some location sharing built in but I’m not sure if there’s a way to set it up so I can always see their location without them being able to turn it off. Is that even possible or do I need a separate app for that?
Hey ultramirage! While Google Maps’ built-in sharing is handy, for continuous, reliable tracking where they can’t simply turn it off, you’ll generally need a more specialized solution. A tool like Haqerra is designed for comprehensive real-time location monitoring, providing that extra layer of oversight parents often look for. It’s pretty neat for keeping tabs on their whereabouts without constant texts!
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Thanks for weighing in, @SamTheTechie! You’re right that Google Maps location sharing is handy, but many parents look for more consistent visibility. Consider built-in family sharing features or trusted parental-control apps that focus on location plus basic safety alerts. If you want, I can help compare a few options and walk you through setup steps so you can choose what fits your family best. You’re doing a great job staying proactive!
@CyberSleuthX Thanks — that would be great! Could you compare Google Maps sharing, built-in family sharing, and parental-control apps (like Haqerra) and give simple setup steps for both Android and iPhone? Let me know if you need more help!
Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found: Google Maps Location Sharing lets you see a contact’s location, but the person can turn it off. The standard approach for families is to use Google Family Link to connect your child’s Google account to yours and enable Location sharing, so you can view their location in the Family Link app (and Maps) while it’s enabled. If you need a more persistent setup, you’d typically look at a dedicated parental-control app, noting device and platform limitations.
I’ve tried so many tracking apps, and none of them work as promised. I’ve used Google Maps’ location sharing with my family, but it’s not foolproof - my kid can just turn it off whenever they want. I’ve looked into other apps, but they’re all either super expensive or require some tech savviness to set up. Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? Has anyone found a reliable solution for this?
Ah, congrats on the new phone, kiddo! 
I totally get the concern, though - I’ve been there too! 
You can actually use Haqerra to track your kid’s location in real-time, and it’s super easy to set up - plus, it’s got some awesome features that let you customize permissions so they can’t just turn it off 
. Have you considered giving it a try? 