Can I Really Track Any Phone Anywhere?

A single thought of losing one’s cellphone sends jitters through the body, and if that phone contains personal data then one has every right to feel petrified. The mobile phone, this small piece of technology, is capable enough to govern our lives. Be it contact numbers, photos, bank details or other personal information, your phone is loaded with all of it. It’s not your family but your phone that is with you 24×7. So, losing your all-day buddy is just not what you want.

Your phone being with you 24×7 clearly means that it travels with you all the time. You can be on a vacation or business trip, and this gadget is there with you. So, the chances of losing it become fairly high. Mobile tracking applications end all your worries regarding the safety of your phone.

This question is brought up every now and then: whether one can track any phone anywhere. Tracking of a phone can be done from anywhere but not for all devices. There are different ways of mobile tracking depending on the handset you have or the operator you use.

Handset-based technology: Let us first talk about tracking based on the handset. Handset-based technology needs to be installed on the handset of the client to determine its location. Also, if the handset has GPS, then considerably more precise location information is sent from the handset to the carrier. GPS: GPS will work anywhere BUT on one condition – the device has to have a view of the sky. So, if unfortunately the device is indoors, GPS is not going to work. So, in this case a tracking application having a substitute mode that uses cell-tower locations when GPS isn’t available is the only useful option.

Smartphones like the ones based on Android, Symbian, Windows Phone, iOS, BlackBerry OS, etc. are more likely to offer such tracking services. This service works with or without the SIM in the phone. Also, in most cases, when a phone is lost or stolen, the SIM card is removed from the handset. So, in that case the mobile tracking made available by the handset providers proves to be highly beneficial. Taking an example, somebody lost a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 at Moscow airport recently. The person had installed the tracking software on the phone. Even after the person flew from Moscow to India, he was able to locate his phone. So, sitting in India, just with the help of Samsung.com, he tracked his phone. With smartphones, there are many services that are provided alongside tracking, like locking the phone online, setting a password online, etc.

SIM tracking: Besides handset tracking, the second most popular way is SIM tracking. Not everyone is able to buy a smartphone, yet be it any handset, the mobile phone plays a pivotal role in one’s life. If you are using the SIM in UMTS and GSM handsets, then there is a possibility of tracking your phone. Raw radio measurements can be obtained from the handset. In SIM tracking, one has to contact the mobile operator and then they can track the SIM from there on. Also, one can find a number of SIM tracking software programs online. These can be downloaded on a PC or laptop and can be used to track the SIM. This can be done for any mobile phone and from any place in the world. Taking an example, you have an Airtel SIM, registered in Delhi, and you have moved to another city or even abroad. In case of loss of the SIM anywhere in the country or abroad, you can contact the service provider Airtel for SIM tracking. Also, you can download any of the SIM tracking software available online and track your SIM. The service providers might charge you some amount for the service. In addition to this, there is an array of companies offering tracking services. These charge you some amount in return for the services offered.

Now that we know that not all handsets can be tracked, the issue of tracking a phone anywhere still remains open. Let us discuss how these companies function and the obstructions faced by mobile tracking applications.

How Do These Service Providers or Companies Work?

All mobile tracking applications send their tracking data back to a central point. They do this using SMS or GPRS data. Both transports require the phone to be within the coverage area, close to a cell-tower.

Hitches in mobile tracking applications:

• As discussed above, besides the providers of handsets and SIMs, there are other companies that offer mobile tracking services. These companies sign agreements with the local service providers to be able to provide the service. These companies have to sign contracts with every network operator across the world that uses compatible equipment in order to be able to track your phone anywhere in the world. Not all countries have compatible mobile systems, and also the laws/regulations of some countries prohibit tracking services. This is a complex network, but yes, you do have tracking options available all across the globe.
• In the remote areas of the world, it’s difficult to get a regular feed of information from a mobile tracking phone. The alternative used in this case is the help of a satellite device, but SMS and data costs become high, making it difficult for a user to get the phone tracked.
• Local time and time zone factor: If one is travelling across the world, a system is required that is aware of time zones and local times. GPS tracking applications are usually designed to be used in a single country. A change of time zone makes it difficult for a tracking application to generate accurate data.

It is quite apparent from all the knowledge that we have gathered above that a mobile phone can be tracked from anywhere in the world, but as every developed system has its limitations, so do mobile tracking applications. So, be aware of the latest software and technologies and stay safe.