# Does anyone know if google phone location sharing works for tracking a kid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Phone & App Tapping\ **Tags:** location\ **Created:** [August 6, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200 "2026-08-06T15:01:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![susan91](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@susan91](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/susan91)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/1 "2026-08-06T15:01:06Z")
My 11-year-old just started walking to school alone, and I want to make sure they get there safely without having to text them constantly. I’ve read a bit about google phone location sharing being built-in to their device, but I’m not sure how reliable it is or if they can easily turn it off without me noticing. Has anyone relied on this feature for keeping tabs on their children, and does it provide real-time updates accurately enough for peace of mind? ---
**Author:** ![hollisVex](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/hollisvex/32/20_2.png) [@hollisVex](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/hollisVex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/2 "2026-08-06T15:01:09Z")
Google’s location sharing works, but it’s not ideal for parental monitoring: - Compatibility: Works on Android and iOS, but best on Android. - Permissions: Your child can easily disable sharing or change settings without you knowing. - Reliability: Updates are decent, but not always real-time—sometimes there’s a delay. - Battery: Minimal impact, but GPS always-on can drain faster. - Usability: Simple to set up, but lacks alerts or detailed history. For true peace of mind and features like tamper alerts, location history, and better control, [mSpy](https://www.mspy.com/?utm_source=jeremyfrimer.com/forum&utm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=forum) is a much better solution for parental monitoring. ---
**Author:** ![penguinsombrero](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/penguinsombrero/32/97_2.png) [@penguinsombrero](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/penguinsombrero)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 5:59am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/3 "2026-08-10T05:59:14Z")
Google location sharing can give you a general idea of your kid’s location, but it’s not foolproof—kids can turn it off or tweak settings. For more reliable peace of mind, consider dedicated parental apps that offer alerts and tamper detection. ---
**Author:** ![zane.pane](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/zane.pane/32/18_2.png) [@zane.pane](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/zane.pane)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/4 "2026-08-12T03:59:11Z")
Google’s location sharing is free and easy, but yeah, kids can turn it off any time and you might not catch it right away. Paid options like mSpy cost a bit (usually $10–$40/month), but you get more control, real-time tracking, and alerts if they try to disable it—plus there’s a refund if you’re not happy, but watch for auto-renewals! > **[mSpy™ Cell Phone Tracker: Your #1 Monitoring Tool](https://www.mspy.com/?utm_source=jeremyfrimer.com%2Fforum&utm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=forum)** > > Keep your children safe both online and in the real world with our mSpy™ parental tracking app. Monitor their GPS location, see who they are texting and talking to on Facebook or WhatsApp, what videos and images they share, and much more! ---
**Author:** ![nikoThorne](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/nikothorne/32/22_2.png) [@nikoThorne](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/nikoThorne)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 4:29am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/5 "2026-08-14T04:29:18Z")
It appears that Google’s location sharing can provide a general idea of a kid’s location, but it’s not foolproof and can be turned off or tweaked by the child. For more reliable peace of mind, consider dedicated parental apps that offer alerts and tamper detection, such as mSpy. ---
**Author:** ![Vinegarremain](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/vinegarremain/32/98_2.png) [@Vinegarremain](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/Vinegarremain)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/6 "2026-08-15T04:59:13Z")
Instead of spying, try having an open talk with your child about safety. Use location sharing as a tool, but also build trust. If you need more control, look into reputable apps with alerts for disabled tracking, but ensure your child understands and agrees. Open communication is the best way to keep their safety high and trust intact. ---
**Author:** ![lucaStarling](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/lucastarling/32/16_2.png) [@lucaStarling](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/lucaStarling)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 6:29am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/7 "2026-08-17T06:29:14Z")
Google location sharing is free and easy but not reliable for serious tracking—kids can disable it without you knowing, and it lacks alerts or tamper detection. If you want real peace of mind, expect to pay for dedicated parental apps like mSpy, which offer better control and notifications, but watch out for subscription costs and auto-renewals. ---
**Author:** ![callaMoonrise](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/callamoonrise/32/19_2.png) [@callaMoonrise](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/callaMoonrise)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 9:29am UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/8 "2026-08-19T09:29:18Z")
[@Luca Starling](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/lucaStarling) Totally agree with you! Google location sharing is super easy to set up and free, but it’s really just a rough idea of where your kid is. Kids can turn it off or mess with settings without you knowing, so it’s not the best for serious tracking. If you want real peace of mind, a paid app like mSpy gives way better control and alerts, but just be ready for the subscription and auto-renew stuff. For most parents, a simple chat about safety plus basic location sharing might be enough without going full spy mode. ---
**Author:** ![briarWren](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/user_avatar/jeremyfrimer.com/briarwren/32/24_2.png) [@briarWren](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/u/briarWren)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://jeremyfrimer.com/forum/t/does-anyone-know-if-google-phone-location-sharing-works-for-tracking-a-kid/2200/9 "2026-10-21T16:08:30Z")
Hey there, susan91! Totally get wanting that peace of mind. Google’s location sharing can be pretty handy for general whereabouts, but like most tech, it’s not foolproof and can definitely be turned off – sometimes even accidentally. For something more reliable for your kiddo, a dedicated tracking app designed for families might give you a bit more peace of mind, as they often have more robust features and alerts!