Smartphone Tracking Explained
Movies often portray phone tracking as a high-stakes race where law enforcement needs several minutes of someone being on a call to trace their location. In reality, modern technology allows phones to be tracked almost instantly, even without an active call. This article will explain how smartphones are tracked, whether they have a SIM card or not, how personal data is linked to your phone, and what steps you can take to protect your privacy.
How Smartphones Are Tracked in Real Time
Contrary to what we see in movies, tracking a phone doesn’t require someone to stay on the line for minutes. Phones can be located as long as they’re powered on. Here’s how:
1. Generic Tracking Technologies (Not Tied to Phone Brands)
Regardless of whether you use an iPhone, a Samsung, or any other smartphone, tracking methods work the same way. This is because the underlying technologies—cellular networks, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—are standardised across all brands. Phone manufacturers do not create their own unique tracking systems; instead, they rely on universal technologies that allow all phones to communicate with the same global infrastructure.
2. Cell Tower Pinging (Triangulation)
Think of cell towers as lighthouses. Your phone constantly communicates with nearby towers to maintain a strong signal. Mobile carriers can use this data to determine your location by checking which towers are detecting your phone and measuring signal strength. This is called “triangulation” and provides an approximate location within meters.
3. GPS Tracking
Many smartphones have built-in GPS chips that communicate with satellites to determine precise locations. While GPS does not transmit your location, many apps and services on your phone store and share this data. With proper authorisation, law enforcement can request GPS records from phone carriers or apps that have access to it.
4. StingRay Devices (Fake Cell Towers)
Some tracking devices, like StingRays, pretend to be legitimate cell towers. When your phone connects to one, it unknowingly shares its location and other data. Law enforcement and, in some cases, criminals can use these devices for real-time tracking without needing help from mobile carriers.
Tracking Phones Without a SIM Card
Even if a phone does not have an active SIM card, it can still be tracked through:
1. Emergency Calls (112)
Phones can connect to any available network to make emergency calls, even without a SIM card. This feature is available on most modern mobile phones and works in nearly every country. When this happens, location data is shared using GPS and cell tower triangulation.
2. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Signals
Your phone continuously searches for Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices, even when not connected. These signals include unique identifiers (like MAC addresses) that can be used to track movements in areas with scanning devices.
3. Installed Apps and Stored Data
Many apps collect and store location data, which could be retrieved later. Even if your phone is offline, previously recorded location history might be accessible when it reconnects to the internet.
How Your Phone is Tied to Your Identity
Even if your phone itself is not actively sharing your location, the way you purchased and set it up creates links between you and the device:
1. Credit Card Purchases and Retailer Records
When you buy a phone using a credit or debit card, your name and purchase details are logged by the retailer. This means the device’s serial number or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) can be linked to you.
2. Mobile Carrier Accounts
Most smartphones require a SIM card, which is registered with a mobile carrier. When you activate a phone with a carrier, they store your personal information, call records, and sometimes even browsing history.
3. Online Accounts (Google & Apple IDs)
To use essential smartphone functions, users typically create an account with Apple (Apple ID) or Google (Google Account). These companies store location history, device usage, and other personal data that can be used for tracking.
Burner Phones – Are They Truly Anonymous?
A “burner phone” is a cheap, prepaid phone meant to be used temporarily and discarded. Many people believe using a burner phone makes them untraceable, but tracking techniques still apply:
- Cell Towers & GPS: Even without an ID tied to the phone, its location can still be tracked using cell towers and GPS signals.
- Retail Purchases: If you buy a burner phone or prepaid SIM card with a credit card, there is a record linking the purchase to your identity.
- Pattern Recognition: Even if a burner phone is anonymous at first, once it is used to call or text the same contacts as a known phone, it can be linked to its owner.
How Apple and Google Track Your Location
Operating systems like iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) include location services that collect and manage your data:
1. Location History and Data Collection
- Google Location History: Android users often have Google Location History enabled, which tracks everywhere they go unless turned off manually.
- Apple’s “Find My”: Apple devices use “Find My iPhone” for location tracking, storing data even when the device is off.
2. How Data is Used
Both Apple and Google use location data for:
- Navigation (Google Maps, Apple Maps)
- Ads and marketing
- Security features like lost phone recovery
3. How to Reduce Tracking by Apple & Google
- Disable “Location History” in Google account settings.
- Turn off “Significant Locations” in iPhone settings.
- Regularly clear location history from your Google and Apple accounts.
Does “Airplane Mode” Stop Tracking?
Turning on airplane mode disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, making most tracking methods ineffective. However:
- GPS Still Works: Airplane mode does not disable GPS by default. While the phone won’t transmit its location, some apps may still store offline location data.
- Advanced Tracking Methods: Sophisticated tools like StingRays can still detect powered-on devices by analysing electromagnetic signals.
To Fully Prevent Tracking:
- Manually disable GPS in phone settings.
- Turn off the phone completely if you want to ensure no signals are emitted.
How to Protect Yourself from Tracking
While some tracking is unavoidable (e.g., emergency services), you can take steps to reduce unnecessary exposure:
- Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
- Delete Wi-Fi connections that you no longer use.
- Use airplane mode if you don’t need connectivity.
- Limit location sharing in app settings (disable permissions for apps that don’t need your location).
- Avoid untrusted apps that might collect data secretly.
- Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal to protect communications.
- Regularly check for spyware by reviewing installed apps and running security scans.
- Consider purchasing or upgrading to a more secure phone, such as a GrapheneOS based model. While this does not bypass the technical requirements to remain connected to the network, these phones give you more granular control over what can and can’t be tracked.
By understanding how smartphones are tracked—and how criminals exploit these methods—you can take control of your privacy while staying connected in today’s digital world.
Australian Police Use Mass Tracking During Public Protests
A notable instance of mass phone tracking occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. In May 2020, protests against Victoria’s lockdown laws took place in Melbourne. During these events, law enforcement agencies arrested individuals for failing to comply with public health orders. While specific details about the use of phone tracking in these arrests are not publicly disclosed, it’s widely recognised that authorities have the capability to use mobile phone data to monitor and manage public gatherings. This includes identifying individuals present at specific locations and times, which can be instrumental in enforcing public health directives and maintaining public order.
This example underscores the broader implications of mobile phone tracking during public demonstrations. Authorities can leverage mobile network data to identify and monitor participants, raising important considerations about privacy and the balance between public safety and individual rights.
This is particularly important in many countries like Australia who have governments who use this power during questionable emergencies. For example the Victorian government has passed a law which states that they just have to “declare an emergency” in order to have this power, regardless of whether the emergency is real, or perceived.