Track Location of Someone’s Facebook Account

How to Track Location of Someone’s Facebook Account

The ability to track and identify a person is not as difficult as it appears in the movies. Wiretaps and bugs can be replaced with something as simple as a smartphone - to a certain extent. We live in such a digital age that it has become easy to pinpoint someone's location using nothing more than a chat app.

Do you need to relay information that can't be shared over the phone? Just locate them on Facebook Messenger so you can make the trip in person.

The Facebook Messenger app actually poses more risks than you might imagine. This is especially true for those who have hundreds of friends, not all of whom are people you've actually met. We probably put too much of ourselves on social media, providing more information than we think. Understanding how you can track others can enlighten you on how easy it can be for someone to do the same to you.

How to Track Location of Someone’s Facebook Account
How to Track Location of Someone’s Facebook Account



Tracking location using Facebook Messenger

You don't even need to be tech-savvy to track someone using Messenger. It doesn't take an elite-level hacker to come onto Facebook and see that someone has shared their location.


Location sharing

This is a more agreeable approach to tracking particular features. Facebook Messenger makes it easy for people to meet up by allowing friends to share their location.

You or someone in your friends list can open a chat dialog through Facebook Messenger by tapping the four dots found in the bottom left of your screen.
Click the location.

From there, just select Share Live Location and your friend will see your current location. They can also share their location with you in turn.

Location tags and #hashtags

Search for someone's location tag in your friends list and their location is just a few clicks away. The most common way to discover a location tag is to check Facebook Stories.

If a location tag is placed on an image, you can tap on it, select show location and drag it to your smartphone screen.
Tap on the tag text and you'll be redirected to Google Maps, which will display the target's location.

This is not the most reliable method of discovery because the location is not necessarily current, but when the image was released. There is also the problem of location tags providing an incorrect location because publishers can post any location they choose. But it's still worth a shot.

Use Third-party apps

This is where location tracking starts to become less consensual and more privacy invasive. While there are applications of location tracking that can be beneficial in a positive way, more often than not, this method has 'cyber criminals' written all over it.

Using a free online service like IPLogger can help you track down a friend's exact location from the time they posted.

All you have to do is visit the website and choose a tracking option from the list.
Enter the URL of the site you are tracking the location of and copy the IPLogger code provided.

From here, it's just a matter of clicking on the generated URL to your friend, which you can send via Facebook Messenger. Once this is done, you will be able to use a second-generated URL that enables you to view location statistics directly from your browser.
Characteristics of close friends

This feature requires you to have the actual Facebook app installed. You can then enable it by going to the More Options menu and selecting Nearby Friends. Then tap on the option to turn it on.


You will now be able to see your other friends who are currently using the feature Everyone will be listed by location, showing their physical distance to you. The closest friends will be shown first and will have a Facebook Messenger button that you can use to open a chat with them.

By simply using the feature, you consent to anyone using the feature and on your friends list, an open invitation to your location. This particular feature is primarily used for real-life encounters between friends and colleagues, but can also be used by non-friends who you mistakenly put on your friends list.


With close friends on Facebook

Facebook's Nearby Friends feature lets you share your location with your friends. You will basically share with each other. When you enable the mentioned feature, you are also enabling location history, otherwise, this method will not work. So, let's see how to find someone's location on Facebook with nearby friends:

The procedure varies for iOS and Android devices, so let's look at them separately.

For iOS devices


Step 1. You need to turn on “Location Services”. Then, you need to set the position to "Always".

Step 2. Next, tap on the 3 horizontal lines icon at the bottom right corner of the screen

Step 3. Now, click on "Nearby Friends". You may need to tap on the “See More” option.

Step 4. Next, tap on the "gear" icon at the top right corner of the page

Step 5. Here, you will basically find the toggle switch; You will be able to turn the service on and off as you wish.

For Android devices


Step 1. You need to turn on “Location Services and Background Location”.

Step 2. Tap on the icon that looks like 3 parallel lines You will find the mentioned icon at the top right corner of the page.

Step 3. Then, you can tap on "Nearby Friends".

Step 4. Once enabled, you will see a list of nearby friends – those in your Facebook friends list who have also enabled this feature. (This means you won't see all your friends listed here).

You will be able to toggle this option as per your need on your Android mobile.

Close friends on Facebook

Limitations on the use of this method

Although this is a very innovative method presented by Facebook to share locations among friends, still the method cannot be called perfect. There are a few limitations:

To use this feature, you need to be a friend on Facebook. Since Facebook won't let you track strangers.

Nearby Friends must be turned on to use the feature.

Also, the feature does not provide exact location; Approximate only.

This is a feature designed for mobile use. So, close friends are not available on PC or Mac computers.

Conclusion

As you can tell, it doesn't take much to find someone you like, as long as they're on your friend list. By sharing a bit on both ends, you can pinpoint the location of any of your friends and they can do the same.

Be smart about who you share things with, especially online, because not everyone is as friendly as they seem
Previous
Next Post »