Track Android from iPhone [Free Methods That Work in 2025]

There’s a widespread issue many people face when they suddenly misplace a phone—whether it’s their child’s or friend’s phone—and they’re using an iPhone but need to track an Android. A common misconception is that cross-platform tracking is difficult or not even available, but that’s far from the truth. I remember the first time I had to locate my son’s phone, an Android device, while all I had was my iPhone.

After browsing through countless Reddit user threads and reading a detailed article that addresses this exact need, I discovered there are quite a few solid methods. You just need a general idea of the right tools. Some apps on the AppStore—like Google’s Find My Device—can be installed on another device to track a target phone, whether it’s stolen, misplaced, or even when you’re just checking in on a colleague’s whereabouts.

The process is simple once you search for the correct solution and understand the hope these options bring when someone desperately needs to locate their Android.

6 Ways to Track Android Phone from iPhone

This section explores multiple ways to track an Android phone using an iPhone, and while some think it’s complicated, it can actually be surprisingly lucrative—especially if you know the right methods to use.

In my case, when I had to locate a friend’s Android phone during a trip, I referred to an article that outlined both free and premium options, which opened my eyes to how easily cross-platform tracking could be done.

These methods aren’t just theoretical; they work in real-time and range from built-in tools like Google’s services to third-party apps that are optimized for iPhone users. This section doesn’t just list solutions—it explores how to smartly pick the one that suits your situation best, depending on your urgency, budget, and access to the Android phone in question.

1. AirDroid Location Tracking

AirDroid is one of the most seamlessly integrated solutions when it comes to using an iPhone to track Android phones, especially for parents who want to keep their kids safe both in the physical world and online. I personally started using it to monitor my niece’s online activities, and I was amazed by the features it packs—from location tracking with real-time updates and geo-fenced zones, to the ability to watch and hear the phone surroundings.

Once I set up AirDroid Kids on the target phone, the app walked me through simple steps like download, install, launch, and granting permissions, including tapping the Location icon to enable remote monitoring.

With tools like screencasting, screen time control, games and apps blocking, plus instant alerts whenever the child enters or exits a set boundary, it offers comprehensive Parental Control. You can even restrict inappropriate apps, schedule app usage, and prevent new apps from being installed without approval.

Notifications are easy to manage too—you can sync notifications, SMS, and even get access to chats from social media platforms like Facebook Messenger, Line, and WhatsApp, all through your iPhone.

To top it off, AirDroid provides both daily report and weekly report summaries of the device’s behavior, giving a complete picture of the child’s digital habits. Whether you’re a concerned parent or just need to watch over someone’s device activity responsibly, this tool delivers a powerful way to stay connected with what’s happening on the target phone, bridging the gap between platforms effortlessly with its robust set of controls and insights.

2. Family Locator – GPS Tracker

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to track Android phones using an iPhone device, the Family Locator app is a strong choice. I first tried it during a road trip to stay connected with friends and family members, and the real-time location updates were impressively accurate. What makes this GPS tracking solution powerful is how well it works across iOS devices and Android, letting users see all connected devices on a single map.

The group system is particularly useful—you can create custom circles and chat inside them while tracking your target family member’s movements without knowing where they’ll head next. The entire configuration process is smooth; just follow a few steps to get the app installed, launch it, and enable sharing permission for constant visibility.

This tool feels more integrated than others I’ve tried, offering not just tracking but a sense of digital closeness. Everyone stays easily connected, whether you’re monitoring your child’s Android device or just checking in on loved ones. What I love most is that it doesn’t feel invasive—it fosters trust, while still giving peace of mind.

The balance of control and connection is what makes Family Locator more than just another tracker.

3. GPS Mobile Number Tracker

When I needed to track Android phones without installing anything, GPS Mobile Number Tracker proved to be the ideal web app for quick results using only mobile numbers. This free app works smoothly on iPhone devices, allowing users to input the phone number with the correct country code, and then search the approximate location of the device using a mix of GPS, WiFi connection, and cell tower triangulation.

It shows the history location data and plots it neatly on a map, even identifying the estimated country of the number. Whether you’re trying to locate a missing device or casually keeping tabs, it’s a solid alternative when you don’t have access to the Android phone directly.

4. Google Location Sharing between iPhone and Android

One of the most underrated ways to overcome incompatibility between iPhone and Android for real-time tracking experience is using Google Location Sharing via Google Maps, which is easily available on the App Store.

I once had to track a friend’s Android phone while we were traveling separately, and all it took was a quick tap on the Share your location option, where they could specify a duration like “Until you turn this off” and send it directly to me through the Message icon linked to my iPhone.

Once permission was granted, a blue location dot showed up on my map with multiple options to navigate or even communicate. Just make sure the location access is set to Allow While Using App, and that the Android contact is properly synced—it’s a fast and effective solution that keeps both devices connected without extra tools.

5. Google Find My Device through Website

Using Find My Device through a browser is a free and reliable web feature that makes tracking an Android phone possible from any iPhone device, and I’ve personally used it via Safari to locate a target device I had no physical access to. Simply open website, sign in with the correct Google account and password, and you’ll see the map background display the phone’s last known location or pinpoint its current coordinates if it’s not offline.

The tool also lets you lock, erase content, or play a sound remotely, even when the phone is on a private network or inaccessible due to distance. The blue Direction button gives a route, and every Location Tag shown helps you act quickly with precision.

It’s especially useful for Android users who’ve already enabled pairing, storing essential details securely, just in case the phone disappears.

6. Samsung Find My Mobile

When it comes to Samsung devices, the Find My Mobile service stands out as a specialized tool built exclusively to track and locate Samsung phones using any browser on an iPhone. I once helped a colleague retrieve their misplaced Galaxy mobile device through this method, and the process was more efficient than expected.

After accessing the app through the official site, I simply had to sign in with their Samsung account—or create account if one wasn’t set up—and immediately had real-time access to the location of the phone.

This feature becomes powerful once activated, allowing users to remotely control several actions like location sharing, backup, wipe data, or even lock the Lock screen if necessary. As long as the Samsung phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, the options become functional instantly.

You’ll need to go into the settings icon > security and enable Enable Remote Controls during initial setup, which many users often overlook. Once done, the phone becomes registered, and its data becomes accessible for security purposes.

Whether from the home screen, app drawer, or via the drop-down menu, you can easily launch this tool. I’ve personally seen how valuable this solution is, especially when other tracking methods fall short.

The service is designed with flexibility in mind, giving Samsung users full control over their devices from any location, all without needing to physically interact with the lost phone.

Which Is the Best Way to Track Android Phone from iPhone for Free

iOS	Difficulty	Real-Time Location Tracking	Monitor Phone Surroundings	Monitor Phone Activities	Need Permission
AirDroid Location Tracking	Low	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Family Locator – GPS Tracker	Low	Yes	No	No	No
GPS Mobile Number Tracker	Low	No	No	No	No
Google Location Sharing	Medium	Yes	No	No	Yes
Google Find My Device	Medium	Yes	No	Yes	No
Samsung Find My Mobile	Medium	Yes	No	No	No

How to Prepare the Android Phone for Tracking

To prepare an Android phone for tracking, you need to ensure that everything is properly set before relying on any of the suggested methods like AirDroid Location Tracking, Family Locator – GPS Tracker, or GPS Mobile Number Tracker. The first step is to install the relevant app, such as AirDroid Kids, and make sure the Google account on the device is active and online with location and GPS services turned on.

I’ve done this myself when setting up my nephew’s phone, and enabling these features in advance made future monitoring effortless. Whether you’re going to use SIM-based tools that rely on number lookup or location-based Google options, it’s critical to have permissions allowed and apps installed early, otherwise even the best tracking solutions won’t function correctly.

What to Do If Lost an Android Phone

If you’ve lost your Android phone, the first thing to do is sign in to your Google account on an iPhone via android.com/find and log in using the associated main profile (especially important if multiple user profiles exist on the device).

Once you’re in, the location of the stolen phone will appear on a map, giving a fair approximation or even an accurate pin if it’s still available or recently detected. I’ve done this for a friend’s work devices before, and the tools to enable, lock, or erase the device remotely helped protect their information in minutes.

You can also select to play sound, which is useful if it’s nearby but misplaced. Whether it’s a Samsung or any Android model, following these guidelines quickly improves your chances of recovering the phone or at least securing your data before making a final decision on further action.

1. How to Ring a Lost Android Phone?

If you’ve lost your Android phone and it’s nearby but stuck in silent or vibration mode, the quickest way is to play sound remotely using the Find My Device feature—even from your iPhone.

I’ve personally used this to ring my dad’s phone that had slipped between the couch cushions, and once triggered, it blared at maximum volume for a full 5 minutes, no matter what mode it was in. This function is a lifesaver when the phone is close but not visible, making sure you can recover it fast without any guesswork.

2. How to Clear Data of a Lost Android Phone?

If your Android phone is truly lost and there’s no hope of recovery, the safest step is to clear data remotely through Find My Device, which lets you erase device content entirely. I’ve had to do this for a colleague’s phone once, and the process was simple but final—it will permanently delete all data, including anything on the SD card, to ensure nothing sensitive gets exposed.

After erasing, the device is disconnected from your Google Account, and unless you know the password, no one can use again or access it. Be aware, though, if the phone is offline, the erasing will queue and trigger the moment it connects to the internet, so there’s no risk if the immediate wipe does not work right away.

3. How to Lock the Lost Android Phone?

If your Android phone is lost, the first thing you should do after attempting to track it is to lock the device remotely using the secure device feature via Find My Device, which I’ve used myself to protect sensitive content on a friend’s phone.

This function encrypts the system and forces a screen lock by allowing you to set a PIN or password, even if there wasn’t one before. You can also add a message and a backup phone number that appears on the lock screen, increasing the chance that someone might return it if found. It’s a practical and quick way to block unauthorized access while keeping hope for recovery alive.

Conclusion

Tracking an Android phone from an iPhone is no longer a technical barrier but a practical necessity, whether you’re trying to secure a lost device, retrieve deleted voicemail Android, or stay connected across platforms. With tools like AirDroid, Family Locator, and Google’s tracking solutions, users can not only monitor real-time locations but also remotely lock, erase, or play sound on their lost Android phones.

It’s also helpful to enable mock location on Android when testing location-based features or to schedule a text on iPhone to Android for consistent communication. To ensure you never miss critical updates or security alerts during tracking, make sure to turn on push notifications Android for all essential apps involved in the process.

Frequently Ask Questions

Can an iPhone and Android phone track each other?

Yes, an iPhone and an Android phone can absolutely track each other, especially with cross-platform tools like Life360, which I’ve personally used in a family setup with both iPhones and Android devices. It’s a comprehensive solution designed for families and mixed device environments, allowing all users to stay updated on each other’s real-time locations within secure private Circles. The device tracking works seamlessly regardless of the operating system, making it one of the most reliable options when you’re managing safety and coordination across different phones.

Can an iPhone detect an Android tracker?

An iPhone can detect certain types of tracking devices, but it cannot directly identify an Android tracker unless it uses cross-compatible technologies like Bluetooth or Ultra-Wideband, similar to how it can automatically detect an unknown AirTag. I’ve seen situations while traveling where a friend’s iPhone alerted them about an unknown tracker moving with them, even though it was not connected or paired with their phone. However, this kind of alert typically works best with trackers linked to iOS systems, and might not trigger if the tracker is tied to someone else’s phone running Android, unless it’s designed to work cross-platform.

How to access Android phone from iPhone?

To access an Android phone from an iPhone remotely, I often rely on Splashtop, which allows you to connect and provide real-time remote support in just 5 easy steps. First, you need to sign up for a Splashtop account, then install the Splashtop app on both the iPhone and the Android device. Once set up, the app bridges both devices smoothly, letting you navigate the Android screen, manage files, or troubleshoot without being physically present. I’ve used it in several situations to guide others through complex settings or quick fixes, and it’s one of the most efficient ways to stay connected across platforms.

Can you track an Android phone from another phone?

Yes, you can track an Android phone from another phone or even a tablet, and one of the simplest methods I’ve used involves the Find Hub app, which is available on Google Play. After installing it on any Android device, or by using a browser to go to Find Hub, you can instantly view the phone’s real-time location, provided it’s linked to the same Google account. Whether helping a friend recover their lost phone or keeping tabs on your kid’s whereabouts, this setup is both efficient and user-friendly.

Can an iPhone find an Android phone?

An iPhone can absolutely find an Android phone using tools outside the native Find My app designed for Apple devices—instead, you can rely on Google’s Find My Device feature, which works perfectly through a web browser. I’ve often accessed it on Safari to help others locate their phones by simply logging into their Google account. Alternatively, apps like Google Maps allow users to share their locations, making real-time tracking easy between platforms. These apps bridge the gap and let both ecosystems collaborate for effective phone finding.