To ask for help with a tracking device

It can be as simple as location sharing on google maps - doesn't need to be a special programme it's a built in feature.

Or if you have both got Samsung phones try out their smart tags. They work well for us and it's actually unlikely to cause pop up that he's being followed - my wife and I have them on keys for cars we share so sometimes they follow me around and sometimes her - neither of us ever get stalking alerts so shouldn't be intrusive. I work on ambulance service and my colleagues have never mentioned their phone warning them they're being followed - there's so many about we'd all be getting pop ups all the time if they did. I presume they have an algorithm to work out if a new one has been secreted on a person/someone you don't live with has set it up/placed it on you then it follows you and never them...

They just need to be in range of any samsung phone to work. Similar to samsung smart watches - they share location by default with the samsung app so if anyone logs into the account you can see the location - also they have 4g versions so they don't even need to be near a phone to work/share location.

https://www.personalgpstrackers.co.uk/

You'd need a GPS tracker similar to this really, they require data so either come with a subscription or a sim card that you top up (the example I have linked is one you top up). They usually cost about £5-8 a month. What you could do with something like this is geofencing so you wouldn't need to actually track all the time but could set it up to alert you if the tracker (and therefore DC) entered or left a certain area (like around school - you draw the area "fence" on a map) and then you could just go look on the tracking then if you needed to.

Things like airtags and similar work by connecting to nearby devices via Bluetooth so don't have a cost attached because they aren't using data / GPS but won't be as accurate and can't live track to the same degree.

Searching for dementia trackers will probably bring you up a variety of options.

We use location sharing on Google maps

You'd be better just downloading the Life 360 app and connecting the tile that way.

It shows separately to phones & I've found it to be really accurate

How are they with allowing access to their phone generally? If it's not the fact of being tracked they're uncomfortable with, could there be something on their phone that they don't want you to see?

The tile app on her phone would help ping the device, but it would only be useful with data. Google find my device might still work if she's around other people who opted in, or likewise with tile if she's around other tile users.

I think maybe pp are right about the pet trackers, but without data on phone it might limit the options.

A Tractive dog tracker would do the job... it's very accurate and if you click 'live' mode on your phone it literally tracks every step.

We use a Tractive for our dog which works on GPS. Could work in this situation too.

Hadn't thought of that. It could be embarrassing for them.

Exactly that.

If you are being 'followed' by an Air Tag, or similar, you are warned. I get alerts regularly on flights when taxiing around the runways before take off, for example, as iPhones detect Air Tags in peoples hand luggage which is travelling in close proximity to you but not registered to you.

Yeah, this. Not only will an AirTag tell your child, but it'll tell anyone they're with, too.

If your child agrees to the tracking, can't you just get them to share their location using google maps? I don't think it needs any extra apps but you'd have to trust them not to turn it off. That would be the same as a tracker device though - you'd have to trust them not to ditch it.

Is the tile app also on her phone? Tile uses a network of people with the app installed.

Android has a similar tracking network to apple now (although it's not as good yet). The devices that work with it are the Moto tag, chipolo one point (make sure it's this model), or the pebblebee tags (make sure it's the android one).

Of the 3 I would choose the Moto tag as the uwb will hopefully work soon. It's also roughly the size of an airtag so the accessories fit for the most part.

Is her phone also android? You should make sure both her and your find my device settings on your phones are on "with network in all areas".

If she has an iPhone you might be better off with the tile as it works on both OSs.

I could be wrong, but I think both Android and Apple phones will detect an airtag that moves with the phone and alert the user. This is an anti-stalking measure so I don't think you can turn it off. If you're trying to track your kid secretly it won't work.

If the school have requested it, can they not advise?

Can I ask what the issues are? I don't believe it is ever OK to track someone without their knowledge. If they aren't responsible enough to be out alone then they don't go out alone, or they accept that part of that is having tracking on for a certain amount of time, maybe with agreed limits and ways to earn the right not to have tracking. Essentially I am sure you are coming from a good place but what issues are there that tracking is actually going to resolve?

If they won't accept phone tracking, would the accept a tracker? Or are you planning to do it secretly? Is their MH so bad that you have to risk damaging the trust between you?

Just wanted to advise posters to be wary of sharing tips on how to hide tracking devices.

Great minds 😁

Air tag