Until a few years ago, SIM cards were required to call or text. A mobile device was considered useless without them. However, there has been significant advancement in mobile technology. Today, cell phones can operate without a SIM.
But can a phone also be tracked with no SIM? As you might have guessed, the answer is yes. Moreover, it is much easier to track a phone without a SIM. You can track it with the help of built-in features in iOS and Android as well as third-party apps.
Keep reading to find out more about it.
Use the Find My App by Apple
iOS has a built-in Find My App. It’s used to track the device’s location from another device. You can even track your iPhone without a SIM using this app through iCloud. The Find My App for iPhone and other Apple devices makes it easy to track the phone. Here’s how to use it.
- Tap on the product icon.
- If the device is nearby, you can play sound.
- Receive a notification if the device is left in an unknown place by enabling Notify When Left Behind on your iPhone.
- To track location, put it in the Lost Mode. Others can search for you by just looking at your message on the lock screen of the device.
- If the phone has come into the wrong hands, reset your iPhone. You can restore the data from iCloud backup when the phone is found.
Use Google Maps to Track an Android Phone
You can track a phone without a SIM card using Google Maps. The Maps feature proves useful if the location services are enabled. Follow these steps.
- Install the Google Maps application if it isn’t in-built into your device. Then, open the app,.
- Log into your Google account. Choose the lost device at the upper part of the sidebar.
- Turn on Location Sharing. Select the time duration for which you want location sharing to remain enabled.
- Select the contacts you want to give share access to. Tap the profile of the contact to give access.
- Send a link to the targeted device via message or email to track the device’s location.
- Others can find your location by tapping on this link.
Use Dropbox to Track Your Phone
Cloud services like Dropbox record the last location from where you signed in. This is done for security purposes. If you have a Dropbox account, you can track the phone’s last location. Here’s how.
- Navigate to the official Dropbox website, which is www.dropbox.com.
- Sign into your account.
- Now, go to the security settings. This section will provide you with the last login details. You will see the last location of the sign-in.
Use the IMEI Number
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code. It is assigned to every phone. IMEI identifies your device on any mobile network. You can use it to track a phone which does not have a SIM card.
Here are some things you should know about using an IMEI number.
- Online IMEI trackers: Online IMEI trackers are available as free services by some websites. You must not expect 100% results from these trackers. Moreover, some of them have questionable legitimacy. So, use one only after thoroughly researching it.
- Contact your mobile network provider: Mobile network providers, such as Verizon Wireless and AT&T, can track your phone’s location. They use cell tower triangulation for tracking phones. This process does not need the phone to have a SIM card. Call your carrier and request them to use the service to track the phone.
- Contact your phone’s manufacturer: If you are faced with a dire situation, contacting your phone’s manufacturer will be the best step. Note that their capability to track the phone will be limited to their specific technology and policies.
POINT TO NOTE: It is not possible to track an iPhone’s location via the IMEI number. If you have not previously activated the Find My App, the phone cannot be digitally located.
Use Third-Party Tracking Services
Various third-party phone tracking apps let you find a phone without SIM. These apps come with various features, making them a robust alternative for tracking. You need to pre-install the apps on the target phone to use them. These apps effectively track location as long as the Wi-Fi is turned on. We are going to list some of the best third-party tracking apps.
mSpy
The app works to track iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire devices. It works as a great parental control app, too. Below are its worth-mentioning features.
- Social media monitoring. This includes monitoring all popular platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
- Restoration of deleted messages.
- Screen Recorder
- Keyword alerts
- Remote blocking of apps, websites, and contacts
SpyX
SpyX is a powerful phone tracker for parental control. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices. Take a look at its features below.
- Ability to track a phone’s live location.
- Browser monitoring
- Keylogger
- Social media apps tracking
- Track messages and calls
Scannero
Scannero lets you track a phone as long as you have the target’s phone number. Just enter the phone number and tap ‘Track’ on the app. This sends a tracking link to the phone number through SMS. If the target phone owner clicks on the link, you can instantly view their real-time location. Some features of the app are given below.
- Send messages to lost cell phone
- Email and phone leak checker
- Reverse phone lookup
- Phone tracking through an SMS link
Phonsee
Phonsee is another powerful app that tracks real-time locations on the map. Besides, it’s also good at geofencing and screen capturing. A few features of the app are as follows:
- GPS location tracking
- Keylogger
- Social media apps tracking
- Automated screen capture
Final Words
There are several ways to track a phone without a SIM card. Note that all these methods work only if the lost or misplaced phone is connected to the internet. You can use in-built tracking features or a third-party service. Rest assured, these techniques will take the stress out of tracking and finding the target phone.
