Is it really possible to track them legally?
Hey friends, today I’ll show you a simple way to track a Cricket cell phone location for free. No shady apps. No weird hacks. Just the tools already on your phone. I’ve done this myself when my teen left thier phone at the gym. It worked. Fast.
Key Takeaways
• Cricket runs on AT&T’s network, but location tracking depends on the phone, not the carrier.
• Best free options: Apple Find My, Google Find My Device, and Google Maps Location Sharing.
• Only track your own device or with clear consent. Safety first. Privacy matters.
• Lost or stolen? Lock it, locate it, or erase it remotely. Then call Cricket to suspend service.
The basics?
Cricket doesn’t give you a special free tracker. But you don’t need one. iPhones and Androids already have it baked in. That’s the secret sauce.
My quick story. Last year, my son texted me, “I can’t find my phone.” Panic. I opened Google’s Find My Device on my laptop, hit Play Sound, and boom—his phone started ringing in the gym’s lost-and-found box. Two minutes. Crisis over.
Let’s get into the how.
For iPhone (on Cricket or any carrier)
• Use Find My. It’s built in.
• On another Apple device or at iCloud.com:
1. Sign in with the same Apple ID.
2. Open Find My.
3. Tap the device name.
4. You can Play Sound, Mark as Lost, or Erase.
• Note: The phone needs to be on with location enabled to see live updates. If it’s off, you’ll see last known.
For Android (Samsung, Motorola, etc.)
• Use Google Find My Device (free).
• On a computer or another phone:
1. Go to google.com/android/find.
2. Sign in with the Google account on the lost device.
3. You can Locate, Play Sound, Secure, or Erase.
• Works best if the phone is on, has data or Wi Fi, and location is on.
Want live sharing with family?
• Google Maps Location Sharing (Android or iPhone):
o On their phone (with permission), open Google Maps > profile pic > Location sharing > Share location > pick you and choose time.
• Apple Family Sharing + Find My:
o Set up a family group, then enable location sharing across devices. Super simple once done.
For parents of younger kids
• Google Family Link (Android) or Apple Family Sharing (iPhone).
• You can set basic controls, see location, and get a bit more peace of mind. Like looking both ways before crossing the road. Basic. Helpful.
Important notes
• Consent matters. Always. Don’t try to track someone without their permission. It’s not just wrong—it can be illegal.
• Make sure location services are on, and the phone is signed in to the right iCloud or Google account.
• If the device has no signal, you’ll only see the last known spot. Think breadcrumb trail, not magic map.
If the phone is lost or stolen
• Use Find My or Find My Device to lock it and show a message with a callback number.
• Can’t recover it? Erase it remotely to protect your data.
• Call Cricket to suspend service and report the IMEI so the phone can be blacklisted.
• File a police report if needed. Keep your receipts and device info handy.
A quick reality check.
You can’t track a phone by number alone for free. And you can’t “ping” a phone through the carrier like in the movies. I wish. But no. The tools above are the real deal.
Conclusion
The best part? You already have what you need. Apple Find My. Google Find My Device. Google Maps sharing. Use them. Set them up today, not after the phone goes missing. Future you will be very, very grateful.
