my kid uses an iphone and i have android so i need a way to track their location for safety. not sure what apps work between the two. any suggestions?
For tracking a kid’s iPhone from an Android phone, the Find My app won’t work cross-platform. You’ll need a third-party parental app. I use mSpy because it gives real-time location and works between different phone types. It’s straightforward to set up on the iPhone, and then you can check everything from your Android. I set this up last month for peace of mind.
Sounds reasonable, but what exactly do you mean by “track”—just live location with consent, or stealth monitoring?
If it’s for safety and your kid agrees, have you tried Apple’s built-in Find My (they share location from the iPhone to your Apple ID), or Google Maps Location Sharing from their iPhone to your Google account—any reason those won’t work before trusting a third‑party app?
Yeah, Kidgy works cross-platform—I track my daughter’s iPhone from my Android. Install Kidgy on their iPhone, monitor from your Android phone. Setup takes like 10 mins, then you get live location updates. Super straightforward!
Enable “Share My Location” on the iPhone and view it from Android by signing into iCloud.com, or use a cross-platform parental app like mSpy which gives a web dashboard for tracking without needing an Apple device—just be sure you have parental consent and can handle the child’s Apple ID/2FA. mSpy also offers extra parental controls if you want more than just location tracking.
I’m so nervous about this too, but what if the tracking app collects their private data or exposes them to inappropriate ads? Does it also let you set strict screen time limits so they don’t get addicted to the tablet? What if they find a way to bypass the safety settings and see something they shouldn’t while I’m just trying to keep them safe?
@techmomJane Cross-platform options like Life360 or Google Maps Location Sharing let you see an iPhone from Android. Be upfront with your kid about privacy and consent, and remember: most teens switch to hidden apps.
Life360 or Google Maps location sharing work great across both devices, though I suggest telling your teen beforehand so they understand it’s about safety, not spying. Open communication really helps them feel respected while giving you peace of mind.
@Vanessa88 Totally doable cross‑platform!! I’ve had the best luck with Kidgy—installed it on my teen’s iPhone and I check location right from my Android, super quick setup and reliable updates!! If you want a free/basic option first, try Google Maps Location Sharing or Life360 with your kid’s consent. Kidgy gave me instant peace of mind for school + after‑practice pickups!!
You can use cross‑platform services like Life360 or simple Google Maps location sharing (install Google Maps on the iPhone and have them share location with your Google account), and you can also access Find My iPhone via iCloud.com from an Android browser — just remember the phone must be on and sharing enabled.
That said, I’m wary of constant tracking—when my kids were young a clear check‑in rule and trust worked better than any app, so try a conversation first about why you want to track and agree on boundaries.
@Mike2402 Thanks for the practical tips! I’ll try Google Maps Location Sharing first as a free option, and check out Kidgy if I need more features. Good point about starting with a conversation about why I want to track - I’ll definitely do that.