Losing your iPhone can be a terrifying experience. After all, our phones contain some of our most precious data – family photos, important documents, login credentials, and more. Having your phone stolen or misplaced means losing access to these irreplaceable items.
Fortunately, iPhone tracking apps provide a way to locate and recover lost or stolen iPhones quickly. With an iPhone tracking app installed prior to the loss, you can view the device‘s real-time location, remotely lock or wipe the device, and more.
In this guide, we will cover the 10 best iPhone tracking apps available in 2024. We‘ll overview how they work, their key features, and their pros and cons.
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How Do iPhone Tracking Apps Work?
iPhone tracking apps use a combination of GPS, WiFi, and cellular data to determine the location of a device.
Most apps require you to install a small monitoring program on the target iPhone. This runs silently in the background, recording location data and transmitting it to the app service. As long as the iPhone has an internet connection, the app will update its location frequently.
Some apps also allow you to remotely lock or wipe a lost device. This helps secure your data if the device falls into the wrong hands. Activity monitoring features can also alert you if a lost/stolen device is being used.
With an iPhone tracking app properly set up in advance, you‘ll have the best chance of recovering your device swiftly. Even if the iPhone is offline initially, you can get its last known location.
Now let‘s look at the top 10 tracking apps available for iPhone in 2024.
1. PhonSee
Phonessee is my top pick for iPhone tracking in 2024. It provides a full suite of monitoring features while being easy to set up and use.
With Phonessee installed, you can:
- View real-time location on a map
- Check location history
- Remotely lock or wipe the device
- Receive alerts when a lost device comes back online
- Monitor texts, calls, apps, and web activity (with premium plan)
Location updates are frequent, with average accuracy around 10-20 feet. You can set safe zones and get alerts when the device enters or leaves specific areas.
Phonessee‘s dashboard is well-designed and intuitive too. You can quickly pull up tracking info, remote tools, and device details with just a few taps.
For maximum tracking capability, Phonessee is hard to beat. Their premium plan adds powerful monitoring tools for texts, calls, apps, etc. But even the free version will help you track down a lost iPhone.
2. Find My iPhone
Find My iPhone is Apple‘s built-in tracking solution. Since it comes pre-installed on iPhones, it can be a convenient first option for tracking and security.
With Find My iPhone activated, you can:
- View your device‘s location on a map
- Make your iPhone play a sound to help find it
- Remotely lock or erase your device
- Mark your device as lost to enable enhanced tracking
Since Find My iPhone is an Apple service, it‘s deeply integrated into the iOS operating system. There‘s no app to install or account signup required.
However, Find My iPhone lacks some useful features found in third-party tracking apps. You don‘t get extensive location history, web/app activity monitoring, or geofencing options. But it‘s free and easy to use for basic tracking needs.
3. mSpy
mSpy is a popular iPhone tracking app known for its extensive monitoring capabilities. With mSpy installed, you can not only track a device‘s location but also monitor texts, calls, apps, web history, and more.
Some key features of mSpy include:
- Real-time GPS location tracking
- Location history available for the past 12 months
- Text message monitoring (even deleted texts)
- Call logging
- Contacts and calendar access
- App and web activity monitoring
- Geofencing and location alerts
- Random screenshots to see device activity
Having access to this level of monitoring provides complete insight into a tracked device‘s use. The downside is that mSpy is one of the more expensive iPhone tracking apps, with subscription plans starting around $70 for 3 months. But for full-scale monitoring beyond just location tracking, mSpy is worth considering.
4.Spyine
Spyine is an iPhone tracking app focused on location services and basic monitoring features. It can locate iOS devices quickly and lets you view real-time locations.
Key features provided by Spyine include:
- Accurate real-time GPS tracking
- Location history and geofencing
- Text message monitoring
- Contacts and calendar access
- Web browser history monitoring
- App usage and blocker
- SIM information tracking
For under $10/month, Spyine provides robust location tracking combined with basic yet useful monitoring features. If you‘re primarily interested in location tracking, Spyine delivers excellent accuracy and tools at a lower price than premium monitoring solutions.
5. FamiSafe
FamiSafe is a tracking app tailored for parents who want to monitor their kids‘ iPhones. It combines location data with time management and usage restriction tools.
With FamiSafe installed on a child‘s device, parents can:
- View real-time location on a map
- Check geofences and location history
- See app usage and restrict apps
- Set time limits and schedules for app access
- Review web history
- Block inappropriate websites
For parenting purposes in particular, FamiSafe provides a nice balance of tracking tools and usage oversight. Subscription plans start around $9.99 a month for FamiSafe‘s premium features. It delivers good bang for the buck as both a tracker and parental control app.
6. Cerberus Anti-Theft
Cerberus markets itself as a complete anti-theft solution for Android, but it works with iPhones as well. When it comes to tracking and securing lost or stolen devices, Cerberus provides sophisticated tools.
Standout features of Cerberus include:
- Accurate location tracking using GPS, WiFi, and cell towers
- Ability to discreetly capture pictures using the device camera
- Option to record ambient audio around the device
- Remote screen lock and data wipe capabilities
- Stealth mode to avoid detection by thieves
- SMS commands provide tracking if no data plan
For under $6/year, Cerberus offers excellent tracking paired with unique security features. While more specialized than other options, it‘s an top-rated tool for protecting lost or stolen phones.
7. TeenSafe
Similar to FamiSafe, TeenSafe is a parental monitoring app with location tracking and usage features. It‘s designed to give parents visibility into their teenagers‘ online activities.
With TeenSafe, parents can:
- View real-time location on a map
- Set location alerts if teens visit or leave designated areas
- Monitor texts, call logs, and contacts
- Get notifications for concerning texts and emails
- Review web history and block inappropriate sites
- View app usage patterns and restrict apps
- See social media activity (Instagram, Snapchat)
For parents tracking their teen‘s iPhone, TeenSafe provides a solid package. It costs $15/month for full access to all features. While not the cheapest, TeenSafe does give a comprehensive view of both location and digital habits.
8. Spyzie
Spyzie is an iPhone tracking app focused on delivering detailed location data along with basic yet useful monitoring tools. It can track iPhones as well as Android devices.
Key Spyzie features include:
- Real-time location tracking
- Location history going back up to 3 months
- Ability to set location alerts
- Text messages monitoring
- Web history and keyword alerts
- Contacts and calendar access
- Capability to view call logs
- Social media monitoring
For under $12/month, Spyzie provides strong location tracking with just enough monitoring features to offer useful visibility into a device‘s use. It‘s a cost-effective option if location data is your priority.
9. eyeZy
eyeZy is an iPhone tracker app that focuses mainly on location services, along with basic messaging and contacts monitoring.
Key capabilities include:
- Real-time GPS location tracking
- Location history available
- Geofencing and location alerts
- Read sent/received text messages
- View call logs
- Access contacts list and calendar
- Free basic account with limited features
For about $18 every 3 months, eyeZy provides robust location tracking tools without all the extra bells and whistles. It‘s simple to set up and the dashboard is easy to navigate. eyeZy is worth considering if you just need solid location tracking.
10. Truthspy
Rounding out our list is Truthspy, which offers iPhone monitoring and tracking capabilities. It emphasizes location services along with monitoring texts and calls.
Key features of Truthspy include:
- Real-time GPS location tracking
- Historical location data available
- Text messages monitoring
- Call log monitoring and recording
- Contacts, calendar, photos access
- Social media tracking
- Web history monitoring
Truthspy provides comprehensive monitoring and tracking tools for around $21 every 3 months. While decent for location tracking, it does lack some convenience features found in competitors. But the extensive text/call monitoring capabilities make up for this drawback.
What To Look For in an iPhone Tracking App
When evaluating iPhone tracking apps, keep the following factors in mind:
- Accuracy – The best apps use a combination of GPS, WiFi, and cell triangulation to pinpoint locations precisely. Look for accuracy within 10-20 feet for the best results.
- Design – A well-designed interface makes monitoring and tracking much easier. Seek out apps with intuitive dashboards and clean visuals.
- Features – Consider what features are most useful to you – location history, activity monitoring, geofencing, etc. Pick an app that aligns with your needs.
- Price – Subscription costs can range widely. Free or budget apps provide solid basic tracking, while premium apps offer more advanced capabilities.
- Battery Usage – The app should be optimized to minimize battery drain on the tracked iPhone. Passive location tracking in the background is ideal.
- Customer Support – Look for responsive customer support in case you need help with setup or troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iPhone tracking apps be hidden?
Yes, the best iPhone tracking apps run silently in the background once installed on a device. There is no app icon, so the tracking is completely hidden from the user.
Do I need physical access to the iPhone to install a tracker?
You need access at least once to install the tracking app. Some apps can even be installed remotely via iCloud. After setup, no further physical access is required.
How accurate are the locations from iPhone tracking apps?
Most apps can pinpoint locations within roughly 10-20 feet. Accuracy depends on having a strong GPS and internet connection. WiFi and cell tower data can help triangulate locations if GPS is weak.
Can tracking apps work on iPhones without a SIM card?
Apps that leverage WiFi and cell tower connections, like Phonessee and mSpy, can track iPhones without active cellular service. But GPS tracking requires an internet connection via SIM card.
What happens if a lost iPhone runs out of battery?
The device must have some battery and internet connectivity for tracking apps to work. But once it comes back online, the app will update the phone‘s location again.
Conclusion
Losing your iPhone doesn‘t have to be a nightmare, as long as you set up a tracking app in advance. Apps like Phonessee provide an invaluable tool to recover lost or stolen devices before it‘s too late.
Take a few minutes to install one of these iPhone tracking apps. You‘ll have peace of mind knowing you can locate your iPhone anywhere. Never lose your precious data and memories again with a powerful tracking app at your fingertips.
