How to Use Google Maps to Trace a Cell Phone

Google Maps offers a few ways of tracing and tracking a cell phone using GPS technology. You can use Google Maps to trace and track your friends and family, locate a missing cell phone in your vicinity, or locate a cell phone in real time on a GPS map. All the services are free and can be done through Google's services.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cell phone.
• Internet access.

Trace A Cell Phone with Latitude

1. Go to the Google Latitude website on your computer, or through your cell phone to download the free software for Google Maps Mobile. You can download it to either your computer or your cell phone.

2. Invite your friends and family to join Latitude. If they already have a Gmail account, Google will ask you upon installation if you want to invite them. If they sign up, you can trace their cell phone location in real time on Google Maps. Their location will show up on the map as they move around. Privacy settings can be adjusted so only those who you want to be seen by can see your locations.

3. Contact your friends and family who are using Latitude if you lose your cell phone. They can log into their Latitude account and help you locate your phone by viewing Google Maps. If the cell phone is turned on, its location will appear. You can also use your computer to track your cell phone if it is lost.

Use Google Map's Click to Call.

4. Locate a misplaced cell phone in your home or office by having Google call the cell phone. This is useful if you do not have another phone on hand with which to call the cell phone. Go to Google Maps and look up any business such as a pizza place.

5. Click on the "Call" link next to the Google Maps search results for the business you want to be connected to. It does not matter if the number is local or long distance.

6. Listen for the cell phone to ring or vibrate nearby. Google will call the cell phone and the phone will ring if it is turned on. If you answer the call, you will be automatically connected to the business you clicked on when on the computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up for Google Maps and Google Latitude before you begin using your cell phone. Mobile users can visit http://m.google.com direct from compatible cell phones.
• You must have permission to trace a cell phone number through Google Maps. Latitude and Maps require each user to opt in to the services and each user can control who sees his cell phone location.

References

• Find Cell Phone with Google Click to Call
• Google Latitude

Resources

• Google Mobile