Crime rates are increasing day by day. It is only reasonable to worry about the safety of your loved ones and keep track of them to make sure they are okay. You don’t want your loved ones to be victims of one of the horrible crimes. But you cannot tell them where to go and where not to go. So, how do you make sure they are okay?
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Everyone has a mobile phone nowadays, and you can always track their phones. There are various applications for tracking mobile phones. However, you should have consent if the person you want to keep track of is an adult. But you can do it legally if it’s your child.
So, is it possible to track IMEI number through Google Earth? If it is possible, how does it function? Can you find your lost mobile device with the help of an IMEI number? Let’s discuss this matter and make some things clear.
What is Google Earth?
Google Earth is a program that uses satellite images to create a 3D model of the Earth. Google Inc. created this free software for Linux, Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android devices. You can also use Google Earth to look at aerial photos from Google Satellites.
Millions of mobile and computer users use Google Earth worldwide to explore the planet. Aerial pictures, street views, 3D views, and more are among these geographical map software features.
Google Earth allows you to take a virtual tour of any location from the convenience of your device. To give you precise 3D maps of whichever site you need, the computer application uses several location data inputs such as location photography, satellite imaging, and GIS information.
What is an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number?
International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI is a unique identification number for every mobile device. It is a 15-digit unique number that comes with your phone when you buy it, and you can imagine it as your phone’s fingerprint.
Phone carriers and manufacturers share IMEI numbers to enable tracking of phones in case of theft or compromise. Don’t confuse the IMEI number with the serial number. Serial numbers are only used by manufacturers internally, while IMEI numbers are standard across the industry.
When you purchase a new phone, you will get a box with a matching IMEI number. But if you bought a second-hand used device and did not get a box with an IMEI number on it, you can try searching for the IMEI number by following these easy steps below.
- If it is an android device, you can look for it under Settings > About Phone, this is for Samsung devices, but it’s the same for all android devices. Usually, it is under About Device or About Phone. Try to find it inside Settings.
- For iOS devices go to Settings > General > About. Look for the serial number. Scroll down to find IMEI/MEID or ICCID.
- You can also dial *#06# from the dialer for Android and iOS phones.
- Or you can look at the back of the phone for a sticker, and if it is a phone with a removable battery, you might find the sticker under the battery.
Now, let’s discuss how to track IMEI number through Google Earth.
How To Track IMEI Number through Google Earth
Now that we know what Google Earth and what an IMEI number is, let’s see if you can track IMEI number through Google Earth. Is it possible? NO. You cannot track IMEI number through Google Earth. Google Earth is an application to view 2D or 3D models of Earth, and it does not support searching for an IMEI number.
It only takes queries for location name, zip code, and longitude and latitude coordinates. It might be a bummer, but you cannot track IMEI number through Google Earth. Before Google Earth, there was an app called Google Latitude.
Google Latitude was a location-aware and location-sharing feature of Google Maps that was created to replace Google’s older SMS-based service Dodgeball. Latitude allowed a mobile phone user to see their present position, and the user’s cell phone location was plotted on Google Maps using their Google Account.
The user could select the precision and details of what other users see – a precise location could be allowed, or it could be limited to only identifying the city. The user might also turn it off for privacy reasons, or a location could be manually input.
Google revealed plans to shut down Latitude on July 10, 2013, and it was shut down on August 9, 2013. However, other applications of IMEI numbers and other methods to track phones are also available.
Alternative use of IMEI Number
You will need your IMEI number to report to the Police station if your phone is lost or stolen. With this information, the Police, in coordination with carrier service, track your phone’s last active location and triangulate the location around it. This reduces the search area and increases the possibility of finding your device.
But it only works if the device lost is online and has a SIM card inserted. Another use of the IMEI number can be to report it to the carrier service and ask them to block the device to any carrier service. By doing this, the person who stole or found your device won’t be able to have any carrier service.
Google Earth Alternatives to Track Mobile Phones and Locations
If you want to track the mobile phones of your loved ones and want them to be safe, you don’t need an IMEI number. You can always depend on some of the best parental control applications available. Here, I will show some of my favorite and really capable parental control apps that can solve your problem too.
1. Qustodio
Qustodio is a very powerful parental control app. Qustodio is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Kindle. By default, it blocks all access to websites that fit undesired categories, such as Drugs, Gambling, Pornography, Proxies/Loopholes, and Violence.
Parents who want to fine-tune web content screening can choose from other categories, including Social networks and File Sharing. You got only three responses for all categories, i.e., Allow, Alert Me, and Block.
The location tracking feature is the only feature that put Qustodio on this list. Qustodio My Places feature now adds geofencing capabilities for mobile devices. With Qustodio, you select a location on the map, name it, and specify the size of the border you want to build around it (minimum of 350 feet).
Also Read: Qustodio Review
Pricing Schemes
Small – $54.95 / Year with protection for 5 devices
Medium – $96.95 / Year with protection for 10 devices
Large – $137.95 / Year with protection for 15 devices
2. Fenced.ai
Fenced.ai is one of my personal favorite parental control applications since it can track and monitor your child or family’s online activities and keep them safe from cyber threats.
It can track calls, SMS, texts, and contacts, establish time limits and block inappropriate websites. Parents may also remotely monitor their children’s web browsing history and apps put on their devices.
It also has location tracking features like Qustodio. It can also alert parents if their kid enters a geofenced area. One of the best benefits of Fenced.ai is that it notifies you if your children attempt to uninstall it without your consent.
Pricing Schemes
Basic – $1.17 / Month
Standard – $5.83 / Month
Premium – $8.33 / Month
3. mSpy
In three easy steps, you can install mSpy on your child’s smartphone, track your child’s gadgets, and see what they’re doing. You can monitor your child’s calls and texts and receive data on their online activities.
You can keep a tap on every incoming and outgoing email on your child’s smartphone using mSpy. You can read communications on social media platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber, etc. You may also check the battery level of your target smartphone using mSpy.
Furthermore, mSpy operates in complete stealth mode, so the targeted device is completely unaware that it is being monitored. It has also got a location tracking feature, and it will also alert you if your child inputs any forbidden terms. It is, however, quite pricey.
Pricing Schemes
Monthly – $48.99 / Month for monthly subscription
Quarterly – $27.99 / Month for a quarterly subscription
Yearly – $11.66 / Month for a yearly subscription
4. Bark
The Bark is a parental control tool that addresses all of your worries about your child’s online behavior. It helps you keep track of and monitor all of their internet actions and the apps they’ve been using.
The Bark is an android app that allows parents to keep an eye on their children’s devices. Parents will receive immediate notifications if a threatening activity is discovered on a child’s smartphone.
It has a new endless location feature. It helps you make sure your child gets to school safely, and they don’t sneak out of the house at night and reach their BFF’s home safely for a night stay.
Pricing Schemes
Bark Jr. – $5 / Month and $49 annually
Bark Premium – $14 / Month and $99 annually
5. Net Nanny
Net Nanny can help you manage your children’s screen usage. You can use Net Nanny to prevent your children from visiting inappropriate websites in real-time. This program also allows you to keep track of your child’s online activities and protect them from bad content.
You can filter pornography and limit exposure to pornography in real-time using Net Nanny. You can check where your child has gone by mapping their location history with Net Nanny’s location monitoring tool. Choose a date and time, and a comprehensive map of your child’s location will emerge.
The social media of Net Nanny depicts children’s activity on social media. The disadvantage of Net Nanny is that it is a little pricey.
Pricing Schemes
1 Desktop – $39.99 / Year (Does not support Android)
5 Devices – $54.99 / Year
20 Devices – $89.99 / Year
Conclusion
So, in the end, it is not possible to track IMEI number through Google Earth. You might find so many blogs discussing steps to search for an IMEI number, but Google Earth does not have an option for entering an IMEI number, and you can only search for locations, city codes, and coordinates.
But because Google Earth cannot do it does not mean you don’t have any other options. You can always use location-sharing features using some other apps. You can also use some of the above-mentioned parental control apps and keep track of the locations of your loved ones with other important features you get along with it.
I hope this article was helpful for you, and please feel free to use some of the parental control apps from above. These are just some of the few of many which are out there. Use it for yourself and decide which one fits your requirement.
