To track a phone on your Verizon account, Verizon directs Android users to Google's Find My Device and iPhone users to Apple's Find My, both of which are free services that work independently of your Verizon plan. For ongoing family location sharing, Verizon offers its own Verizon Family app, which uses GPS and network data to show family members on an interactive map.
How to track a phone on my Verizon account: find a lost device
If your Android phone is lost or stolen, sign in to Google's Find My Device page using your Gmail credentials. From there, you can view the device's location on a map, make it ring at full volume for five minutes, lock it, or erase its data remotely. For iPhones, use Apple's Find My app (iOS 13 or later) or Find My iPhone (iOS 12 or earlier). The app allows you to locate the phone on a map, play a sound, use Lost Mode to lock and track it, erase the device, or enable Activation Lock.
Prerequisites for locating your phone
For any tracking method to work, the device must be powered on and connected to the network, or have been recently online, with Location Services enabled. Basic phones cannot be tracked if lost. If the phone is off or location services are disabled, these tools will not be able to provide a current location.
Track a family member's phone with Verizon Family
Verizon Family (formerly Smart Family) is an app that provides location tracking features for family members on a Verizon postpaid mobile account. To use its location features, each family member must enable GPS on their mobile device and grant location permissions to the Verizon Family app. The app uses GPS data and the Verizon network to show family members' locations on an interactive map. If GPS is unavailable, an approximate device location from the wireless network may be shared for Verizon wireless mobile lines.
Verizon Family Locator is a separate premium service with a monthly fee, distinct from the Verizon Family app. It provides location history, allowing you to view a timeline of where the phone has been. Verizon Family Locator also offers customizable alerts for geofences, notifying you when a device enters or leaves designated areas.
To access all Verizon Family features, the Verizon Family Companion app must be downloaded and paired on the dependent's device. The free tier of Verizon Family includes basic location sharing. Verizon Family Plus, a paid upgrade, offers multiple geofencing and location alerts as well as comprehensive driving insights. Third-party tracking apps like Cerberus and Life360 are mentioned as alternatives with features like remote photo capture, audio recording, and driving safety analysis.
Understanding privacy and notifications for family tracking
Child accounts receive legally required notifications when new members are added and monthly reminders that their location and activity are being shared. These notifications cannot be turned off, ensuring transparency and consent for all family members involved in tracking a phone location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to use Verizon Family for tracking?
The basic Verizon Family app with location sharing is free for Verizon postpaid customers. The Verizon Family Plus upgrade, which adds multiple geofencing alerts and driving insights, costs $14.99 per month or $10 per month with certain plans.
How do I set up Verizon Family on my child's phone?
Download the Verizon Family app on your phone and the Verizon Family Companion app on your child's device. Follow the prompts to pair the devices, and ensure location permissions and GPS are enabled on the child's phone.
Can I track a phone that is turned off?
No. If the phone is off, you will not be able to see its current location.
What if location services are disabled on the phone?
If location services are turned off, neither Verizon Family nor Google/Apple's find-my-phone tools can determine the device's location. You will need to enable location services on the device for tracking to function.
Can I track a basic phone on my Verizon account?
No. Basic phones cannot be tracked if lost. Only smartphones with GPS and location services enabled can be located using Verizon's recommended methods.
How can I get help tracking a lost or stolen device?
You can contact Verizon Customer Support for assistance with tracking a device, and they may require the phone's IMEI number or a police report for lost/stolen devices.
