Seeking Reliable Alternatives for iPhone Tracking: A Call for Recommendations

Have you ever faced the frustration of losing your smartphone while away from home? If so, you can likely relate to my recent experience. I recently found myself in a situation that left me both anxious and disappointed regarding phone tracking options.

During a weekend getaway, I suddenly realized my iPhone was missing—just like that, it vanished. In a panic, I turned to online search results for phone tracking services, eventually settling on a paid offering that claimed to use the phone number to locate a lost device. The promise of easily tracking my phone felt like a beacon of hope. After entering my phone number and making a payment, I eagerly awaited a text that would provide my phone’s location. They assured me it would work for both iPhones and Androids, even showing the last-known location if the device was turned off.

Unfortunately, what transpired was far from the solution I had hoped for:

1. No Updates Received: After an hour of anticipation, I still had not received any text or location information. I re-examined the number I had entered, only to find no response. The service’s website contained a contact form, but there was no accessible customer support through phone or live chat. Three days later, and still nothing.

2. Suspicious Payment Process: The payment page raised red flags for me. There was no lock icon to signify a secure transaction, which left me feeling uneasy. Even for someone who isn’t particularly tech-savvy, this felt off, leading me to frequently check my bank account for unauthorized charges.

3. Unfulfilled Promises: Although they advertised the capability to show a phone’s last-known location, particularly if the device had powered off, I received absolutely nothing. My iPhone may have been off, but their marketing made it seem like tracking was a definite possibility.

4. User Unfriendly Experience: Navigating their website was a struggle. It wasn’t immediately clear whether I should be entering my phone number or the lost phone’s number for the tracking service. Despite being somewhat tech-literate, I found myself confused and stuck.

This leads me to reach out for help. Has anyone else experienced similar tracking service failures? I’m curious to know if there are settings on my iPhone, perhaps within iOS 16, that I overlooked. I enabled the “Find My iPhone” feature, but being away from my