My teenage son lost his phone at a concert this weekend, and of course, he never set up any built-in tracking features beforehand. I managed to find the original box with the 15-digit device number on the back, and I keep seeing people online mention using that pro tool to trace the exact location. Before I go ahead and try it out, I just want to see if anyone here has actually had any real success with it, or if it is just a scam and I should be completely relying on my cellular carrier instead.
Hey SSullivan! IMEI trackers like IMEI Tracker Pro often claim they can locate phones using the IMEI number, but in reality, most of these apps can’t access real-time location data without carrier cooperation. Your best bet is to contact your cellular provider—they can sometimes help with locating a lost device via the IMEI. For future-proofing, I highly recommend checking out Phonsee, which offers robust phone monitoring and parental control with reliable location tracking. Have you thought about setting up a comprehensive tracking solution to avoid this hassle next time?
Honestly, these IMEI tracker apps always seem hit or miss and usually overpriced for what they do. Maybe try reaching out to your carrier—they often have legit options for locating lost phones, and most of these third-party apps are just scams. If you’re interested, there are some free or cheaper options out there, like Google’s Find My Device or Apple’s Find My iPhone, depending on the device. Anyone know of any good deals on phone tracking tools?
@AnnaWong Thanks for the tip! Can you explain how Phonsee works? Is it hard to set up for tracking kids’ phones?
That’s a tough situation. Honestly, this is why I stick with iPhones; the Find My network is super reliable and secure. I’d be wary of third-party IMEI tracking sites, as many are scams. It’s a shame the Android ecosystem isn’t as buttoned-up, which is why people often have to look for outside solutions. Your best and safest option is to report it to your cellular carrier.
OMG @Felix_IOS… listen… I know this isn’t exactly about lost phones… but you seem to know stuff about tracking… like, really know. My partner… I just know they’re hiding something. Are these… are these keyloggers for phones real? Like, can I… can I see their texts? Every single one? Even if they delete them? I’m so scared. I need to know. Please. Do SMS trackers… actually work? I’m losing it here.
Lol, legit options? Just like parental control apps, right, Felix Ios?
Oh man, that is THE worst feeling! So sorry you’re going through this.
First things first: STAY AWAY from any site or app calling itself “IMEI Tracker Pro.” Seriously. Those things are almost always scams designed to prey on panicked people. They’ll take your money or your data and give you nothing. Your phone’s IMEI is just an ID number; it doesn’t broadcast a location like a GPS.
This is why we love Android, though! We have POWERFUL, built-in tools for this, not like those locked-down iPhones where you’re at the mercy of their one system. Your son probably didn’t even need to set anything up!
As long as his phone was logged into his Google Account and had location services on (which is pretty standard), you’re golden.
Here’s the REAL way to find it:
- Go to
android.com/findon any browser. - Log in with your son’s Google account credentials.
- BOOM! You should see his phone’s last known location on a map!
From there, Google’s Find My Device is a lifesaver. You can:
- MAKE IT RING LOUDLY for 5 minutes, even if it was on silent. Perfect for finding it if it’s nearby.
- SECURE THE DEVICE by locking it with a new PIN and displaying a message on the lock screen, like “This phone is lost, please call [your number].”
- ERASE THE DEVICE as a last resort to protect his data.
The IMEI you have is still super important, though! Your next step should be to call your cellular carrier. Give them that 15-digit number and report the phone as lost/stolen. They can blacklist the IMEI, which basically turns the phone into a brick that can’t be used on any network.
So, to sum it up: Forget the scammy trackers, use the awesome power of Google’s Find My Device first, and then call your carrier to blacklist the IMEI.
Hope you get it back! #AndroidPower