How to Track a Phone Without SIM Card: The Complete Guide

It’s important to note that there are different ways to do this, and some methods are more effective than others. We’ll cover all of the options available to you so that you can choose the best method to track a phone without a sim card. Let’s get started.

How the phone works without a SIM card

When you activate your phone, it will attempt to connect to the closest available networks, whether or not it has a SIM.

If you’re unfamiliar, IMEI is a unique identifier for your device that gets queried at this point in the process.

It’s worth mentioning that unless it’s on a block list (meaning it was reported stolen), queries to IMEI are irrelevant. Additionally, even if it is on a block list, you’ll still be able to call emergency numbers.

The IMEI code is not some magic tool. It is a code that is used to identify phones in a very specific way between a phone’s database and the GSM system.

The SIM only becomes active when the network inquires from your mobile phone about which operator’s services should be rendered to you if any.

If you don’t have a SIM card, you can’t use most of the services that your phone offers. The only exceptions are emergency calling and a few other services like that.

Your mobile’s location is usually easy to find. You are usually in the range of 2 to 4 cell towers, and based on the signal strength between them, we can usually tell where you are.

GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and the like will not be applicable here because they are not being transmitted into the GSM network.

Can NFC help?

People have been talking about NFC. NFC is a way to communicate wirelessly over a short distance.

NFC is not useful for tracking purposes because its maximum range is only 15 cm, and it usually only functions properly within a 5 cm distance.

Wifi tracking 

First, wifi doesn’t really do anything by itself. You need access to the wifi service to be able to use it.

But if you have apps on your phone that are logging in to a more widely used service, like email or maps, then it’s possible that those services will be able to track your phone’s location.

Can a stolen phone be tracked if it is on but without a SIM in it?

If you have installed any tracking software

If you have installed any tracking software like “find my iPhone” or Android Device Manager before the loss, then you can remotely access those tools and find the phone’s location of your phone. But if you haven’t, then you’re out of luck.

If you do not have the IMEI Code, you can request your mobile service provider, I think they have saved it somewhere.

Unless the robber has rooted the phone and updated the IMEI which is rampant now, you can track that mobile phone once another user starts using mobile services with that phone.

The only chance you have is to somehow track the IP address of the device if it’s turned on and connected to the internet. But that’s a long shot and requires some serious skills.

The phone has a built-in feature that monitors and locks the device remotely after connecting

Some phones have a built-in feature that not only tracks but also locks the device remotely once connected to any network.

 

These can be enabled by going into “Settings” and then to the “Security” or “Lock Screen” menu. Look for an option that says “Remotely lock and erase”.

Once you have enabled this feature, you can go to the website of your phone’s manufacturer and look for their tracking/locking service.

I have experimented with or found Google Lock to be as effective. I couldn’t find my first Redmi 4G after losing it years ago, but it’s still in my Mi Account as of today.

Usually, you will need to log in with the same account that you use on your phone. Once you have logged in, you should be able to track your mobile phone and remotely lock it if necessary.

If your phone does not have this feature, there are still a few options available to you.

Check third-party programs for reliability

There are 3rd party software that has imitated this security feature, however, if they are disabled or the mobile phone is reset then they will lose track.

Some of this software is also capable of taking pics using the front camera and emailing it to you.

I have tested one of them years ago. Some also send the new mobile number of the user to your number or backup contact too.

One of the most popular tracking software is Hoverwatch.

It’s a modern app and anti-theft software that can be installed on laptops, Android phones, and tablets. Once installed, it can help you track the phone location of your lost device as well as remotely lock it or even wipe its data if necessary.

Enable the security function before the device goes missing

If the thief has not reset the device, then you can track the phone’s location if you have some advanced anti-lost apps installed.

You will only be able to track the location of certain tracking features that had been enabled before the mobile phone was stolen.

If the thief has reset the device, then tracking it via the IMEI number of the SIM is possible only if done so by law enforcement. In this case, there is a chance that you may find your phone.

Use Find My Phone Apps for Android and iOS to Track a Phone Without SIM

There are a number of ways you can track your phone without having a sim card. One way is by using an app on google play or apple store that will allow for tracking, even if there’s no service.

The data collected by this mobile application is then sent back to the company’s server, where they can track your movements.

Find my Phone is a tool that can be adapted for Android or iPhone applications.

Is it possible to trace your sim without using your phone?

Track a Cell Phone Via Google Maps

The best way to find your lost device is by calling from another phone connected.

The chances are that the device would receive the call, and you can then follow the location by checking Google Maps to find out where exactly it is.

To track a phone without SIM, all you need is a mobile number through which you can connect to the internet.

Once connected, open any browser and go to Google Maps. After that, enter the mobile number of the device you want to track in the search bar. Once the location is found, it will be shown on the map. You can then follow the directions to find out where exactly the mobile phone is located.

This method can come in handy if you have lost your phone in a public place or if it has been stolen.

By tracking the location of the phone, you can either find your lost device or catch the thief.

Track a Phone with Phone Tracking Apps

There are a number of apps that can allow you to check your device’s location, but there is always some limitation.

The apps don’t work when switched off, for example at school because most schools require students to shut their phones.

It could seem like an attack on security or a breach of privacy.

However, studies have shown that most parents feel more secure knowing where their kids are at all times since Hoverwatch makes regular appearances.

Use a Tracking App to Track a Cell Phone Without SIM Card

Most tracking apps work by collecting data from the GPS of the phone and then sending it to a central server.

You can use this data to know where the device is at any point in time.

The server can be accessed by anyone with login credentials, which means that you can use it to track the location of the mobile phone.

There are many tracking apps available, and they all have their own set of features. Some of the more popular ones include Hoverwatch, uMobix, and FlexiSPY.

Hoverwatch is one of the most popular phone tracking apps.

The app can be installed and used on the target mobile phone secretly, and it can be used to track the location of the device, as well as to monitor calls, text messages, and social media activity.

Here are the steps to expect when using the Hoverwatch spy app:

1. You first need to create an account on the Hoverwatch website.
2. Once you have done that, you will be given a login ID and password, which you can use to access the Hoverwatch dashboard.
3. From the dashboard, you can then select the device that you want to track.
4. You will be able to see the location of the device on a map, as well as all the other data that is being collected by the app.

This includes call logs, text messages, social media activity, and more.

uMobix is another popular phone tracking app.

The app can be used to track the location of the target device, as well as to monitor calls, text messages, and social media activity.

Here are the steps to follow when using the uMobix spy app:

• Visit the uMobix website and create an account.
• You will receive a login ID and password, which you can use to access the uMobix dashboard.
• From the dashboard, select the device that you want to track.
• The app will show you the location of the device on a map, as well as all other data being collected by the app.

You can use these apps to track the location of your lost phone as well as to monitor the activity of another person. However, it is important to note that these apps can only be installed on smartphones and not on basic phones.

Private Investigator’s Tip

As a private investigator, I often get hired to track down phones without SIM cards. It’s a tricky process, but with the right tools, it can be done. Recently, I was hired by a woman who suspected her husband of cheating on her. She had no concrete evidence, but she just had a feeling.

I started by downloading the Hoverwatch phone tracking app. This is an app that can track any phone without a SIM card as long as it’s connected to the internet. I then created an account and logged in to the app dashboard.

From there, I could see the location of the target phone on a map, as well as its recent activity logs.

With this information in hand, I was able to confirm that the husband was indeed cheating on his wife. She was relieved to have some closure and was able to move on with her life. Thanks, Hoverwatch app.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several different ways to track a phone without a SIM card. From basic services provided by phone manufacturers to tracking apps to track a cell phone without a SIM card.

As a rule, you find yourself in a situation where the phone has already been lost, but no action to protect it we have not committed.

But don’t panic and contact your service provider or the police. In order not to get into such a situation beforehand worry about the safety of your device.

Tracking apps are third-party applications that can be installed on a phone to remotely collect data about the device’s usage and location.

There are many tracking apps available, but some of the more popular ones include Hoverwatch, uMobix, and FlexiSPY.

While tracking apps can be used for a variety of purposes, they are commonly used to track the location of a lost phone or to monitor the activity of another person.

However, it is important to note that these apps can only be installed on smartphones and not on basic phones.

FAQs about Tracking a Phone without a sim card