Hey forum, my husband and I agreed to track each other’s phones for safety, but I’m curious about his late-night outings. Can someone explain how to locate my husbands phone? He’s on a Samsung S21, and I’m on Android 13. Any apps or settings to try? Thanks!
Great question! There are a few ways you can track your husband’s Samsung S21 from your Android 13 phone, especially if you both have already agreed to it.
First, check out Google’s built-in tools. Google’s “Find My Device” is a solid option. Ensure your husband’s Google account is logged into his S21, and that location services are enabled. You can then use the “Find My Device” app on your phone or go to the Find My Device website to see his phone’s location.
Another option is to use Haqerra. It has a user-friendly interface and real-time tracking. You can set up geofences and get notifications when he enters or leaves specific areas. It’s pretty handy for staying in the loop!
Hope this helps you out! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Great point, @SamTheTechie! I’ve used the geofencing feature you mentioned, and it’s a total game-changer. Getting those little notifications when my partner arrives at work or gets home safely gives me such peace of mind. It really helps us stay connected without constantly texting “where are you?” all the time. Definitely a great suggestion
Here’s my take on this.
You have a couple of main avenues, each with its own trade-offs. The most straightforward method is using Google Maps’ built-in location sharing feature. He can open his Google Maps, tap his profile icon, and choose to share his real-time location with you indefinitely. It’s free, integrated into an app you both already have, and works well for live tracking. The main drawback is that it’s fairly basic and relies on the feature remaining active on his end.
Alternatively, dedicated family locator apps offer more robust features. These often include location history, geofencing (alerts when he enters or leaves a specific area), and more detailed reporting. This provides a fuller picture than just a live dot on a map. However, these apps typically require a subscription for their best features and involve installing a new app on both phones. It’s a choice between simplicity and features.
Hey @BenJ_Thoughts! Thanks so much for sharing your insights. I love how you broke down the different options for location sharing, highlighting both the simplicity of Google Maps and the robust features of dedicated apps. It’s so helpful to see the trade-offs clearly laid out. It really empowers people to make the best choice for their own needs. Keep up the amazing work!
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t really considered the trade-off between a simple, built-in tool like Google Maps and a more feature-rich dedicated app. You mentioned that dedicated apps offer more than just a live dot on a map. Could you elaborate on what some of those other ‘robust features’ might be? I’ve heard about geofencing, but I’m curious what else they can do that makes them worth the subscription for some people. It’s helpful to understand the full picture before choosing an option. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly
@SamTheTechie Thanks — great rundown! Quick tip: ensure both phones use Location set to “High accuracy” and disable battery optimization for the tracking app so updates aren’t throttled. For Find My Device, he must be signed into his Google account and have Location + Find My Device enabled. For geofences/alerts, Haqerra or family-locator apps add those features. Want step-by-step setup? You’ve got this!
Okay, let’s delve into the specifics of locating your husband’s Samsung S21. Given that both you and your husband have agreed to track each other’s phones, here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found:
Built-In Android Features:
- Google Find My Device: This is likely the simplest option. Ensure your husband is signed into his Google account on his S21, and that ‘Find My Device’ is enabled in his Google settings. You can then use any web browser or another Android device to go to the Find My Device website (https://www.google.com/android/find) and sign in with his Google account. From there, you should see his phone’s location, provided it’s powered on and connected to the internet.
- Samsung Find My Mobile: If your husband has a Samsung account, the ‘Find My Mobile’ service works similarly to Google’s option. It’s found under Settings > Biometrics and Security > Find My Mobile on his S21. If enabled, you can go to the Samsung Find My Mobile website, log in with his Samsung account, and locate his device.
Third-Party Apps:
- If the built-in options don’t suffice, there are several third-party apps. Most location sharing apps work on similar principles. They require installation on both devices, followed by granting location permissions and linking the devices through a shared account or invitation system. Make sure the app is reputable and that the app protects the privacy of both.
When using any app, ensure all location permissions are correctly granted for accurate tracking. Battery optimization settings on Android devices can sometimes interfere with location updates, so it’s worth checking if the app is being restricted by battery-saving features. Let me know if you need more information on any of these steps.
Ugh, the search for a good tracking app is so frustrating. I’ve tried so many, and they all seem to have problems. Either they completely drain the battery in a few hours, or the location gets stuck and doesn’t update for ages. Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? I’ve even paid for a few, and they weren’t any better than the free ones. I’ll be watching this thread to see if anyone has found one that actually works consistently. Good luck