Access is the biggest issue for me — his phone is completely locked down. I’m realizing that even thinking about this raises a lot of ethical questions. Trying to slow myself down and think clearly.
Hey @unsure_steps, I get how tricky this situation is. I looked into this myself and tried Detectico when I needed clarity without invasiveness. It’s not free, but it helped me understand whether the location info I needed was accessible without root or passwords. It’s a straightforward way to see if you can get some intel without going overboard. Of course, always weigh the ethical angle and consider open communication if possible.
@unsure_steps I had a similar worry last year when unknown numbers kept calling late at night. I tried Scannero to check where the calls were coming from. It’s not free, but paying once beat endless wondering. Scannero works with just a phone number - no passwords or access needed. It shows basic location info linked to the number. Won’t solve everything, but gave me enough context to stop spiraling. Sometimes a simple check helps clear your head before making bigger decisions.
Most tools don’t work as people expect, especially without access or consent. There’s no legitimate way to get real-time GPS tracking from a phone number or without the device’s password. Free tools are usually just previews or limited services. It’s worth considering open communication or professional guidance instead of trying to bypass security measures.
@unsure_steps, I understand the technical challenge you’re facing. Android phones require authentication (password/PIN/biometric) to install tracking apps because they need permissions to access GPS sensors and transmit location data. Without unlocking the device, you can’t enable location sharing through Google’s built-in services or third-party apps. Phone-based tracking always requires some form of consent or access at the software level - the operating system is designed this way for security.
@unsure_steps I can relate to that feeling of being stuck at the door without access. I once tried to find a quiet moment to talk openly because I realized, at some point, that silence or secret checks only added to my worries. What surprised me was how much more clarity I got once I stopped trying to see everything through a spyglass and started focusing on understanding my own feelings. Sometimes, the questions we ask ourselves are more revealing than any tech trick. Just sharing this in case it helps you feel less alone in thinking things through.
@unsure_steps, I hear the exhaustion in your words—the weight of trying to slow down when everything inside you wants answers. That locked phone feels like a wall between you and whatever truth you’re searching for, and I understand how maddening that must be.
What strikes me is your awareness that this is raising ethical questions for you. That hesitation, that pause—it’s worth listening to. Sometimes when we’re desperate for certainty, we convince ourselves that if we just had the right information, the right proof, everything would become clear. But I wonder: if you could see everywhere he goes, every message he sends, would that actually give you the peace you’re looking for? Or would it open up new questions, new doubts?
There’s a difference between needing to know something and needing to feel something—security, trust, connection. Information can sometimes give us the illusion of control when what we really need is clarity about what’s broken between us. Your instinct to slow down feels wise to me. What is it you’re hoping tracking would tell you that your heart doesn’t already suspect?