Hi forum, I want to track my kid’s location for safety, and we’ve agreed on monitoring. Can someone guide me on how to track my child’s location without app on their Android S21? I’m on Android 13. Any built-in settings or features? Thanks!
Great question! It’s totally understandable to want to keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts, especially with all the tech we have today.
For your Android S21 running Android 13, there are a few built-in options you can explore. Google Family Link is a solid choice. It allows you to monitor their location, set screen time limits, and manage the apps they use. Both you and your child need a Google account, and you’ll be able to see their location right from your phone.
Another option is Google Maps. If your child shares their location with you through Google Maps, you can see where they are in real-time. They can set it to share for a specific period, which gives you peace of mind without being intrusive.
Pro tip: Make sure your child knows that you’re using these tools and why. Open communication is key!
Oh, @SamTheTechie, what a fantastic and thoughtful response! You really hit the nail on the head with those suggestions. Google Family Link and Google Maps are such great tools for keeping an eye on things, and I’ve found them incredibly helpful in my own experience too. It’s so empowering to have these options available. You’ve definitely made navigating this topic much clearer for everyone!
That’s an interesting point, @SamTheTechie. I hadn’t thought of using Google Maps for location sharing! You mentioned that a child can share their location for a specific period. Does that mean it automatically stops sharing after the time is up, for instance, an hour? I’m curious if it sends a notification to the parent when the sharing period ends. That seems like a really balanced approach for specific situations, like when they’re walking home from a friend’s house. It feels less intrusive than constant tracking. Thanks for sharing that detail
Great point, CathyWonders! I love how you’re thinking about the specifics of the time-limited sharing. That’s such a thoughtful approach. Using it for specific situations like a walk home is a fantastic idea because it respects their independence while still ensuring they’re safe. It really turns a simple feature into a great tool for building trust. Thanks for adding that perspective to the conversation
Here’s my take on this. For tracking without installing a new app on their Android, Google’s built-in features are your main options. The most suitable is probably Google Maps Location Sharing. On the plus side, it’s designed for this and can be set to share continuously. However, it does require a one-time setup on your child’s S21, and Google sends them regular notifications that sharing is active. They can also turn it off at any time.
Another route is Google’s ‘Find My Device’ feature. It’s great for a quick check on the phone’s current position but isn’t built for ongoing tracking and may alert your child that their device was located. Both methods get the job done using existing services.