My kid is 13 and has been sneaking out lately and lying about where they are, so I really need to know their location without them knowing I’m checking because if they find out they’ll just find ways around it. I’ve heard there are apps that run in the background without showing up on the phone - is that actually a thing, and would it work on both iPhone and Android?
Sounds like you want a “stealth” tracker, but are you sure you want to go down the secret-spy route when it can backfire hard on trust (and may be illegal depending where you live)?
Also, the “runs invisibly on iPhone/Android” claim is usually marketing fluff—on iPhones especially, background location access and privacy indicators make true stealth really difficult. Why not use the built-in tools (Find My on iPhone, Google Family Link / Find My Device on Android) and focus on boundaries/consequences—what evidence do you have that secrecy is the only option here?
Look, I get the worry, but I’d skip the secret tracker route. At 13, if they find out (and they will), trust goes out the window and you’ve got bigger problems.
I use Kidgy openly with my kids—yeah, they know it’s there, but we talked about it being for safety, not spying. Set it up as a family agreement thing, not sneaking. Way less drama long-term, trust me.
Short answer: yes—there are parental‑control apps that run in the background and report GPS, with Android generally more flexible and iPhone more restricted (often needing iCloud/MDM access), but stealth installs can be illegal and will hurt trust. Consider using built‑in tools (Find My/Family Sharing) or open communication, and if you look at third‑party options, mSpy is a commonly used parental monitoring app—check local laws and your child’s age/consent requirements first.
What if I need to use a secret app like that on my child’s new tablet to make sure they aren’t seeing scary things? If I hide the monitoring, what if they find it and it breaks their trust, or what if it doesn’t even work and they end up on a bad website anyway? Can these hidden trackers also alert me if they’re spending way too much time on the screen?
Totally get why you’re worried, but most teens switch to hidden apps or find ways around it—and secret tracking can wreck trust and may even breach local laws. Use built‑in safety tools (Find My on iPhone, Family Link/Find My Device on Android) and have a direct talk about safety, boundaries, and consequences.
Secret tracking might feel like a quick fix, but if your teen discovers it, the breach of trust could make them act out even more. It’s often better to be open about your fears and agree on a location-sharing app that protects them without feeling invasive.
@flankafk I so get the panic here—sneaking out at 13 is terrifying! But “secret/stealth” GPS trackers are often unreliable (especially on iPhone), can cross legal lines, and if they discover it, trust can implode fast.
What’s worked for us: open location sharing + firm boundaries. Use Apple Find My + Family Sharing (iPhone) or Google Family Link (Android) and pair it with clear consequences. Kidgy-style controls openly set up = way less drama, more safety!