How Does Your Mobile Phone Track You (Even When Off)?

Let's unravel the mystery of your ever-watchful device and understand the tech behind this modern marvel. Buckle up, because this is going to be an eye-opening ride!

Ever wondered how secret agencies and spies can always tell where someone is, even if the person they are following has their phone switched off? As long as you have a mobile device with you, it's like having a digital shadow following you everywhere you go. 

As disturbing as it sounds, even with your phone off, you're not entirely off the grid. In this article, we'll delve into the surprising ways your mobile phone can still track your whereabouts, even when all tracking features, and the phone itself, are turned off. 

Who is tracking my phone and how?

While the global village offers many benefits, it also has downsides. The most significant is the feeling of constant monitoring and overexposure. Much of it starts with our mobile phones, which can be tracked in numerous ways, often without our awareness.

From network providers to app developers, various entities can access your location data, communication, and online habits. Understanding who these entities are and how they track you is essential for safeguarding your privacy and security.

Your ISP and other network providers

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other network providers are in an ideal position to track what you do online. Since they facilitate your connection to the internet, they have access to the websites you visit, the apps you use, and even your general location based on cell tower triangulation. Other information they collect includes but is not limited to:

• Your online calls, including their timings, durations, and participants
• The content of your text messages
• Identifiers such as advertising IDs and device IDs (during web browsing)
• ​​Equipment information, including various configurations on your phone
• Network preferences, your use of products and services, and other network equipment

This data can be used for various purposes, such as improving network services or, more controversially, for monitoring user activities and selling this information to advertisers.

Google 

As a dominant player in web browsing services, and thanks to multiple tracking channels, Google holds a special place among all mobile phone spies… and then come all the other tech conglomerates. 

Through its all-around offer, which includes Google Maps, Search, and even Android OS, Google collects vast amounts of data. This includes tracking your location history, search queries, app usage, and more. Although officially there to enhance user experience by providing more personalized services, Google tracking also raises significant privacy concerns.

Not to mention that the most common type of Android smartphone comes with Google Mobile Services (GMS) and Google Play Services pre-installed. This includes apps like Google Chrome, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Play. Manufacturers often add their own software on top, but the data they collect largely overlaps with what Google collects, leaving Google in the leading position of the data collection monopoly.

Other web browsers

Other web browsers, although not as omnipresent as Google, also track a great share of your online activities. Browsers like Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge collect plenty of user data, including browsing history, search queries, and website interactions. 

As with Google, while some of this data is used to improve user experience and security, it's also shared with third-party advertisers and analytics companies more often than we'd want.

Various apps

It's a little less known that most phone apps track your activities for various reasons, mostly for service improvement (read promotion and sales) purposes. Social media apps, fitness trackers, and even weather apps spy on your location, usage patterns, and spending habits. 

Social media platforms are particularly notorious for data harvesting and most of them have undergone a lawsuit or two for dubious data collection practices. Among them, Facebook and Instagram are probably the worst, with Facebook's "infamous bug" that even made it possible for third-party apps to access (not yet posted) photos on your device at one point.

You guessed it – this data is often used to provide personalized content and targeted advertisements but can also be sold to third-party companies without your knowledge, compromising your privacy.

Device manufacturers

Even device manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and other Android-based companies have access to a significant amount of data on your phone. They can track device usage, app installations, and your location through built-in services like Find My iPhone or Samsung's location services. While these companies often tout their privacy measures, the sheer amount of data they can access is still considerable.

Virtual assistants

Virtual assistants, like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, get particularly persistent and creative when it comes to tracking their users. They usually apply this combination of methods:

• Voice commands – As you can probably guess, with each interaction with your virtual assistant, your commands or questions get recorded. This data is often stored temporarily to improve the assistant's understanding and response over time. What you probably didn't know, though, is that your voice also gets recorded and processed.
• Location tracking – Many of their services, particularly the location-based ones, such as weather updates, directions, or local service information (restaurants, salons), require your precise location. Virtual assistants, therefore, use your device's GPS or IP address to determine where you are as you speak with them.
• Personal information – Virtual assistants may access your contacts, calendar events, emails, and other personal files to provide relevant and personalized responses. Although they promise that this data is handled with great care and used only for providing services to you, you never know what could go wrong in the process.
• Search history – Virtual assistants invariably keep a record of your search queries and interactions to develop more personalized suggestions and improve their overall responses in the future.
• Device sensors – Virtual assistants may even use various sensors you have on your device, such as accelerometers or gyroscopes. This data helps them gather information about your activity or environment and, again, provide contextually relevant responses.

It's worth mentioning that although virtual assistants collect and use a humongous amount of user data for their service improvement, they also provide controls for users to manage their privacy settings and delete or restrict access to certain information. So, why not make use of them?

The government

Government agencies can track your mobile phone for various reasons, including national security and law enforcement. Although the amount of data they harvest can significantly differ from country to country, pretty much no government is an exception to such practices. Through legal mechanisms like court orders and surveillance programs, their agencies can access your call logs, text messages, and location data. 

While intended for security purposes, the fact that it can happen to you anytime and without a warning, feels quite unsettling, especially for the privacy-conscious among us.

Malicious actors

Probably the worst of all, malicious actors, such as hackers and cybercriminals, pose a significant threat to your device's privacy, and, with that, your security. They often use sophisticated techniques like phishing, malware invasion, and network spoofing to gain access to your data. 

Once compromised, your phone can turn into a tracking device for all your movements or a tool for stealing your personal information. It’s essential to stay vigilant and adopt robust security practices to protect against these hazards. Below we share some tips on how to recognize and prevent various malicious threats.

How can your phone track you when switched off?

Even with your phone switched off, certain components can still be active, potentially facilitating tracking. For example, some modern smartphones have secondary low-power processors that manage specific functions, like location services, even when the main processor is off.

Besides, certain malware can spoof the phone’s shutdown process, making it appear off while keeping tracking capabilities active. This hidden activity can continue to track your location using GPS, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks, posing significant privacy risks.

And, of course, various third-party tracking devices including standalone GPS Trackers can be attached to your phone or placed in your belongings. They use GPS technology to determine their location and often have their own power source, allowing them to function independently of your phone’s battery status.

Also, devices like Tile or Apple AirTag use Bluetooth technology to communicate their location to nearby phones. These trackers can help locate your belongings, but they can also be used maliciously to track individuals without their knowledge.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, on the other hand, are small, passive devices that can be used for tracking. They don’t have their own power source but can be activated and read by nearby RFID readers. 

The list goes on, but, by now, you get the idea that your phone being switched off, although reducing your chances of being tracked, doesn't entirely eliminate the possibility.

How can I tell if I am being tracked via my mobile device?

Thanks to the variety and sophistication of phone tracking methods, most people go through the experience without even realizing they are the victims. So, if you suspect that you're being tracked through your mobile phone, that's already a significant clue. Other than that, you may notice the following:

• Unexpected battery drain – One of the first signs that your phone might be tracked is unusual battery drain. If your phone's battery depletes faster than usual without any significant change in usage patterns, it could indicate that a tracking app is running in the background.
• High data usage – Monitoring your data usage can also reveal tracking activities. Unexplained spikes in data consumption might suggest that a tracking app is transmitting data from your phone to an external server.
• Strange device behavior/performance issues – If your phone starts behaving oddly, such as starting random reboots, showing sluggish performance, or unfamiliar apps appearing from nowhere, these could be signs of tracking software. Additionally, if your device heats up even when not in use, it might indicate suspicious processes running in the background.
• Notifications and pop-ups – Odd notifications, pop-ups, or ads can indicate malware or spyware tracking your phone. Inspect these, as they often come bundled with tracking software.
• Noise and interference – Hearing strange background noises, clicks, or static during calls might suggest that your phone is being tapped or monitored. Though less common with digital networks, it’s still a potential indicator of tracking.
• Check for installed apps – Regularly review the apps installed on your phone. Unfamiliar or suspicious apps could be tracking software. Some tracking apps disguise themselves as harmless utilities or system apps.
• Antivirus and security apps – A reputable antivirus or security app can help detect and remove tracking software. These apps can scan your phone for malware, spyware, and other potential threats, offering an additional layer of protection.

How to stop your phone from tracking you?

Here are some strategies and good habits you can practice if you wish to protect your privacy when using or not using your mobile device.

1. Turn off location services

The first and easiest thing you can do to avoid phone tracking, is, of course, disable location services. This won't give you perfect protection, but it will at least block out some (amateurish) tracking attempts.

1. Go to your phone's settings.
2. Find Location or Location Services.
3. Toggle off the location services for the entire device or individual apps.

There's also a Location Services shortcut in the drop-down menu on the home screen on most phones, which you can press on and off as needed.

2. Re-evaluate app permissions

It's scary how many apps run in the background of our phones, without us even realizing it. They track our location and harvest all sorts of personal data. Luckily, you can easily check which unnecessary apps are active and block them in settings.

1. Go to your phone's settings.
2. Find the Apps or Applications options.
3. Check the permissions for each app and disable those you're not actively using.

3. Use airplane mode whenever possible

Turn on Airplane Mode to disable all wireless communications, including GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections. This not only saves your battery life and data, and reduces your exposure to cell phone radiation, but it also increases your safety by blocking some of the tracking attempts.

4. Disable background data

Disabling background data is another effective solution to reduce data usage and improve your phone's battery life, with the great bonus of protecting your online security. This prevents apps from transferring data when they're not actively in use.

1. Go to your phone's settings.
2. Find the Data Usage section.
3. Disable background data for apps that don't need it.

5. Use a VPN

Install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to camouflage your IP address and encrypt your data traffic. Today's VPNs offer easy-to-install and use apps for all your devices, including your mobile phones, and plenty of simultaneous connections. You can protect your privacy online in just a few easy steps:

1. Pick a secure and user-friendly VPN to protect your mobile phone. We recommend ExpressVPN as a reliable and versatile solution. But make sure you check our other top VPN recommendations if you're looking for a better match for yourself.
2. Download and install the app on your mobile device or any other device you wish to protect from prying eyes.
3. Choose a server, preferably one nearby for faster connections, and press connect.

That's it, neither your ISP, the government, nor any other third party can see what you do online.

6. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Disabling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use is an essential step to prevent tracking via these signals. Most apps and devices use these particular connections to determine your location and track your movements. 

For instance, retail stores often use Bluetooth beacons to track customers’ movements within the store, offering targeted ads based on their location. Similarly, public Wi-Fi networks can be exploited by hackers to track and collect data from your device. 

So, remember to turn off these features whenever you're not using them to reduce your risk of being tracked and improve your device's overall security.

7. Be mindful of tracking apps

Make a habit of reviewing installed apps for unfamiliar and suspicious ones. They may be tracking your location, and much worse, without your knowledge. Some apps request location permissions without an actual need and then use them for all kinds of dubious business. 

For example, a flashlight app or a simple game might ask for location access, which, when you think about it, is not necessary for its functionality. Whenever possible, dismiss these requests, or even better, avoid these apps entirely. 

Be especially mindful of unfamiliar apps that might have been installed without your consent, as these could be spyware or malware designed to track you through your phone.

8. Physically remove the battery (if possible)

If you suspect you're being tracked, physically removing the battery is the most effective way to ensure no apps or components remain active. This is also useful in situations where you need to guarantee that your phone is completely off, such as during sensitive meetings or in high-security environments. 

For example, a journalist working in hostile environments might remove their phone battery to prevent location tracking or eavesdropping. Although most modern smartphones have non-removable batteries, older models and some specialized phones still offer this feature, providing an additional layer of security.

9. Use a Faraday bag

A Faraday bag is a great low-tech security invention for mobile devices. It blocks all wireless signals, preventing any tracking activities while your phone is inside. These bags are lined with materials that create a shield against electromagnetic fields, effectively cutting off all radio frequency signals, including GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections. 

Faraday bags are used by security professionals, law enforcement, and individuals who need to protect sensitive information. For instance, if you are traveling and want to ensure that your phone isn't tracked, placing it in a Faraday bag will block any attempts to locate it. 

To summarize, Faraday bags can protect your device from hacking attempts, data theft, and other unauthorized access while you are on the move.

How to locate a lost mobile phone that's turned off

You lost your phone, and it's turned off. Don't worry, there are still a few ways you can search for it.

1. Use Find My Device (Android) or Find My iPhone (iOS)

The first thing you should try is the Find My Device apps or websites that are very effective at finding your Android or iOS device. Keep in mind that the service may not be effective if your phone is in airplane mode or your battery is entirely drained. Still, you should try the following:

1. Go to the respective website or use another device with the app installed.
2. Sign in with your Google or Apple ID.
3. Check the last known location of your device.

2. Contact your mobile service provider for assistance 

Mobile carriers have access to their network infrastructure, which can sometimes help locate a lost or stolen phone even if it is turned off or has location services disabled. So, you can either call customer service using another phone or visit a store and ask for assistance in person.

Be prepared to provide details such as your phone number, account information, and any recent activities or locations where the phone might have been lost. Ask if they can help locate your phone using their network tracking capabilities, which might include the last known location before it was turned off.

Carriers can sometimes use cell tower data to triangulate the phone’s position or check for any activity related to the phone, but the effectiveness of this method can vary based on the carrier’s policies and the technology they have available.

3. Via third-party apps

Apps like Prey or Lookout can help locate a lost phone if you had them installed and configured before the phone was turned off.

4. Check recent activity

Review recent account activity for the phone's location or usage. This may give you a useful clue about your phone's current whereabouts.

How does your mobile phone track you – FAQs

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about mobile phones tracking their users.