How Do You Track an Android from an iPhone: Complete Guide 2025

Introduction

If you are curious about how do you track an Android from an iPhone, whether it be a lost device, a stolen device, or just monitoring a family member, this is the right place. Recently, I helped a friend find a lost Android phone using just my iPhone. I’ll share my detailed experience here, and in this article, I’ll provide detailed step-by-step guides using Google Maps, Find My Device, location sharing, and some reliable apps that work all over the world.

Can an iPhone Track an Android Device?

Absolutely! As long as the location services are enabled and the Android user consents, an iPhone user can track Android devices. This can be done through:

Find My Device via browser
Google Maps location sharing
Real-time tracking via third-party apps
IMEI or mobile number for tracking purposes for lost or stolen devices

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Track an Android from an iPhone

1. Find My Device via Web Browser

This is the simplest way to track an Android phone using an iPhone.

Access Safari or any web browser installed on your iPhone.
Go to Find My Device.
Log in with the relevant Google Account for the Android device.
You will see the Android device’s position on a map with real-time tracking.

You can do the following things:

Play a sound: Your phone will sound at maximum volume for 5 minutes even if it’s in silent or vibration mode. This is helpful if the phone is nearby, like in your house, car, or office.
Secure the device: This option allows you to lock your device so no one can access your private personal information.
View last known location: Find My Device will attempt to show the last location where the device was online.
Remove data if necessary: This feature wipes all data such as emails, photos, and contacts if your device is lost. Once erased, it can no longer be tracked.

I helped a co-worker find a lost Samsung phone, and when we signed in, we found it was under the couch!

2. Google Maps Location Sharing

This is an excellent method for family and friends to track both Android and iPhones.

Steps on Android:

Open Google Maps.
Click on your profile picture > Location sharing.
Choose a certain duration or “Until you turn off.”
Share with your email or through a message.

On your iPhone:

Access the link or open Google Maps.
Check for live location sharing.

This is useful for:

Tracking family on a trip.
Sharing the location of a child.
Knowing the real-time location of a partner.

This method is effective globally and available to any mobile device with a Google account.

3. Google Maps Timeline (History)

If the Android phone isn’t online, but the location history feature was turned on:

Open Google Maps.
Navigate to Account > Your Timeline.
Check past routes or places.

Although this does not provide real-time tracking, it aids in reconstructing routes traveled.

4. Third-Party Apps (Cross-Platform)

For consistent tracking across devices, download an application compatible with both Android and iPhone.

Common Choices:

How to use their functions:

Install the app and log in on both devices.
Turn on location services and all required permissions.
Track in real-time, view history, set boundaries (geofencing), and receive notifications.

To monitor my child’s Android device, I used AirDroid from my iPhone. It sent notifications when they entered school, and it worked seamlessly.

5. IMEI or Mobile Number Trackers

These techniques can be used when a phone is misplaced or stolen:

Report the device to the service provider or police using the IMEI number.
Some websites allow you to enter your phone number to receive an approximate location (e.g., GPS Phone Tracker).

These methods may assist even when the device is offline, although the tracking won’t be live and is not always accurate.

Setting Up an Android Phone for Tracking

Make sure that these things are done:

Location services are ENABLED.
A Google account is being used.
Find My Device is activated under Settings > Security.
Mobile data or Wi-Fi is ON.

Comparison Table

Method	Real-Time Tracking	Needs Google Account	Works Via Browser	Pre-Installed App Required
Find My Device (Web)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Google Maps Location Sharing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ (Link works)	❌ No
Google Maps Timeline	❌ No (History only)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Third-Party Apps (Life360, AirDroid)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
IMEI / Mobile Number Tracker	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No

FAQs

Q1. Is it possible to track an Android phone without a Google account?
No — Google services such as Find My Device and Maps require the account to be active.

Q2. Is the Android phone required to be online?
Yes, it must be online to track in real-time. Offline devices only show the last known position.

Q3. Can Apple’s Find My app track Android phones?
No — Find My is Apple’s exclusive feature and is not compatible with other devices. Google services or apps are a must for Android users.

Q4. What if location sharing is turned off?
In that case, the only visible info is the last known location tracked on the Timeline or Find My Device.

Q5. Is this legal and safe?
Yes, this is legal with the person’s consent. Do not use this for spying, as these features are intended for family tracking and recovering devices.

Final Thoughts on How Do You Track an Android from an iPhone?

So, tracking an Android device from an iPhone is much simpler than what lots of people think:

Find My Device offers secure tracking through the browser for free.
Google Maps location sharing can demonstrate a contact’s real-time movements.
Apps like AirDroid or Life360 provide advanced cross-platform tracking.
Devices can be tracked with an IMEI number, and even historical location data can assist if the device is lost or offline.

In the past, I’ve tested these, and they all worked for me—finding Android phones for friends and tracking kids on trips. These methods were always reliable. All you have to do is make sure location services are on, Google accounts are logged in, and privacy settings permit those services. Following these basic measures allows you to access everything without any worries around the globe.