How can I tell if someone is tracking my phone or car?

The usual routes

Most people who track a partner, ex or family member use access they already had, such as a shared account or a passcode they know.

1. Location sharing. Find My, Google Maps location sharing, family safety apps, fitness apps.
2. Shared accounts. A shared Apple or Google account, or a family group, can show device locations and backups.
3. Car apps and connected cars. Many cars report location and trips to an app.
4. Bluetooth trackers. AirTags and similar devices hidden in a bag, car or child’s belongings.
5. Cloud access. Someone who can log into your cloud account can see photos (which often include location data), messages and notes.
6. Monitoring apps. Installed with physical access to an unlocked phone. Less common, and the signs (battery drain, a hot phone) are unreliable.

How to check

iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. It shows who you share location and data with, which devices are signed in to your Apple account, and app permissions. “Manage Sharing & Access” lets you review one item at a time. “Emergency Reset” stops everything at once, which the other person may notice.

Android: Check your Google account’s security checkup for devices and access, check location sharing in Google Maps, and look in Settings for unknown tracker alerts. Menus differ by phone maker.

Trackers: iPhones alert you when an unknown AirTag is travelling with you. Android phones can scan for unknown trackers. Alerts don’t catch every brand, so also check your car and bags physically if you’re worried.

Accounts: Look for signed-in devices you don’t recognise, recovery phone numbers or emails that aren’t yours, and email forwarding rules you didn’t set up.

Before you change anything

If the person tracking you is someone close to you, removing their access can tell them you know. For some people that leads to escalation. Take photos of what you’ve found first, then decide what to change and when, ideally with an advocate. Women’s Refuge (0800 733 843) and Shine (0508 744 633) help with technology safety as part of safety planning.

If you’re not in that situation, for example you just found an old location share with a friend, simply turn it off.

Is it illegal?

Tracking someone covertly can be part of psychological abuse under the Family Violence Act 2018 and can support a protection order. It can also be harassment. Talk to Police and an advocate about including it in an application.