Losing a phone or trying to locate someone in the Philippines can be stressful. Thankfully, Facebook Messenger includes built-in tracking features for you to share your location with others in real-time. Messenger helps you find lost phones, check on a loved one, or find a friend.
This guide will show you through to track a phone using Messenger in the Philippines and other ways to do it with Facebook features.
Can You Track a Phone Using Messenger?
Facebook’s Messenger is an instant messaging app. Users can send messages, make calls, and share locations that can be directly accessed. Live Location Sharing is one of its most useful features for tracking a phone.
🔍What is Live Location Sharing?
The Live Location Sharing feature allows users to share their real-time location with friends, for a specific time. The person tracking the phone then gets a live movement update on a map once it is activated.
🔍How Does It Work?
- Live Location must be turned on in Messenger manually by the person who is sharing their location.
- However, the location will be visible for up to 60 minutes.
- It uses GPS and the internet to give you accurate tracking.
Using Messenger to search for a phone will only work if the user consents to sharing their location. To find other tracking methods, check out these alternative solutions.
How to Track a Phone Using Messenger Step-by-Step
Live Location Sharing is a simple way to track a phone in real-time with Facebook Messenger. Whether you’re an iPhone user or an Android user, you no longer have to worry about sharing or requesting a location for up to 60 minutes and the tracking would be accurate.
For iPhone and iPad Users
Within a chat, iPhone users can use Messenger’s Live Location Sharing to share real-time location updates. It is useful to meet up with friends, check up on a loved one, or find out where a moving contact is.
- Open Messenger and go to the conversation with the person you want to track.
- Tap the + button at the bottom-left corner.
- Select Location from the options.
- Tap Share Live Location to send a real-time tracking link.
- The recipient can now see your location for up to 60 minutes.
For Android Users
Android users can use Messenger’s built-in Live Location feature to share their current location effortlessly. This is useful for finding someone in crowded places, ensuring safety, or tracking a lost device.
- Open Messenger and go to the chat window.
- Tap the Location pin icon.
- Select Share Live Location and confirm.
- The contact will now see the location updates in real time.
Pros and Limitations of Phone Tracking Using Messenger
✨Pros
- Simple and free to use.
- Works in real-time.
- No need for third-party apps.
❌ Limitations
- User permission is required for sharing the location.
- Only lasts 60 minutes before expiring.
Alternative Methods to Track a Phone Using Facebook
There are other ways of tracking a phone via Facebook if live location sharing isn’t an option. Below are four messenger location tracking methods you can try.
Location Tags in Posts and Stories
Users can tag locations on posts and stories on Facebook. If you are looking for a person who often shares where they are, you can check their profile to see where they have been.
👉How to Use This Method:
- Open Facebook and go to the person’s profile.
- Check their recent posts for any location tags.
- Look at their Facebook Stories for tagged places.
- If they have location privacy enabled, this method won’t work.
✨Pros:
- Easy to check without needing permission.
- Gives historical location data.
❌Limitations:
- Only works if the user actively shares their location.
- Locations may not be accurate or updated.
Nearby Friends Feature
The nearby Friends feature of Facebook shows users the friends that are near their current location.
👉How to Use Nearby Friends:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the Menu button (three lines).
- Scroll down and select Nearby Friends (if enabled).
- If the person you’re tracking has this feature activated, you can see their approximate location.
✨Pros:
- Provides real-time location updates.
- Doesn’t require direct permission.
❌Limitations:
- Only works if the user has Nearby Friends enabled.
- Shows only an approximate location.
IP Grabber
An IP grabber is a tool that captures a person’s IP address through a link, helping you estimate their location.
👉How to Use an IP Grabber:
- Visit an IP tracking website like Grabify or IPLogger.
- Enter a link.
- Generate a tracking link and send it to the person via Messenger.
- Once they click the link, the IP grabber records their IP address.
✨Pros:
- Works without needing Facebook tracking features.
- Can track users who don’t share their location.
❌Limitations:
- Not always accurate (shows only an approximate region).
- The person must click the link for tracking to work.
Track Phone by Sending a Link
You can also track a phone using online phone tracking tools like MLocator. MLocator is an online facebook messenger location tracking that uses GPS, WiFi, and cell tower triangulation to locate devices. Users enter a phone number, pay for the service, and receive a tracking link. Once the target clicks the link, MLocator provides their real-time location on a map.
- Visit MLocator and sign in.
- Now, you must click on the Location by link and then click New Link.
- Name the link based on your preference. Hit Generate to move on.
- Copy the link and send it to the target person. Once the target person clicks the link, you will receive his geolocation immediately.
✨Pros:
- Works without Facebook permissions.
- Provides real-time tracking.
❌Limitations:
- Users must click the link for tracking to work.
- Some services charge a fee for advanced tracking.
FAQ
Can I track a lost phone using Messenger?
No, Messenger cannot track a lost phone unless Live Location Sharing was previously enabled. If the phone is lost, try using Find My iPhone (iOS) or Find My Device (Android).
Can I track a Facebook user in Manila?
Yes, if they use location tags, Nearby Friends, or Live Location Sharing on Messenger in Manila. However, you cannot track them without their consent unless they share location data publicly.
Can I track a phone using Messenger without others knowing?
No, Messenger requires the user’s permission to share their location. If they don’t enable Live Location Sharing, you’ll need alternative tracking methods like checking location tags or using an IP grabber.
Wrap Up
Tracking a phone using Messenger in the Philippines is possible, but it requires user consent. The best tracking option would be real-time tracking through the Live Location feature. But if that’s unavailable, you can employ location tags, Nearby Friends, IP tracking, or online phone trackers. Every method has its own limitations, so pick the one suitable for your needs.
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