Remote control of geolocation on Android is a task faced by parents who control the location of children, employers who track official vehicles, or simply users who have lost their phone. However turning on GPS on Android remotely is not so easyas it may seem: manufacturers and Google limit such functions for security reasons. In this article, we will look at all the possible methods - from official tools to technical workarounds - and also explain why some methods stopped working after updates Android 12+.

It is important to understand: no method guarantees 100% results on all devices. Efficiency depends on the version of Android, the smartphone model (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi can block remote commands), the presence of root access and even the regional settings of the operator. If the phone is turned off or in airplane mode, turning on GPS remotely becomes impossible - you will need physical access to the device.

Before you begin, check:

  • 🔹 Does your phone have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi/mobile network)? Without it, not a single method will work.
  • 🔹 Is the device connected to your Google Account with administrator rights?
  • 🔹 Do you have remote control applications installed on your phone (for example, Find My Device or Cerberus)?

📊 Why do you need to turn on remotely? geolocation?
Child control
Searching for a lost phone
Monitoring of official transport
Other

1. Official method: Google “Find device”

The most reliable and legal method - using the service Google Find My Device (formerly "Android Device Manager"). It allows you not only to determine the location of the phone, but also to block it or erase data. However, you cannot directly enable GPS through this service you can only:

  • 📍 View the last known location (if GPS was turned on earlier).
  • 🔊 Activate the sound signal (helps you find the phone indoors).
  • 🔒 Lock the device with a message displayed on the screen.

To use service:

  1. Go to the site Google Find My Device from your computer or another phone.
  2. Login using the same Google Accountthat is linked to the lost device.
  3. Select the desired device from the list (if there are several of them).
  4. Click "Detect locationIf GPS is turned off, the service will show the approximate location via Wi-Fi networks or cell towers.

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If the phone is low or is turned off, the service will show the last known point on the map. Enable the “Notify when detected” option to receive a notification when the device appears on the network again.

⚠️ Limitation: Since 2023, Google has removed the ability to send commands to turn on GPS via Find My Device due to abuse. Now the service only passively tracks location if GPS is already activated.

Why has Google limited the functionality of Find My Device?

In 2022, there were cases where attackers used the service’s vulnerabilities to remotely turn on the microphone and camera on other people’s devices. After that, Google tightened its security policy, leaving only basic search functions.

2. Remote control via ADB (for advanced users)

If your phone USB debugging is enabled and it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, you can try turning on GPS via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires preliminary setup and does not work on all devices.

Instructions:

  1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your computer (you can download from official website).
  2. Connect to the phone via Wi-Fi (if USB debugging was previously activated and the command adb tcpip 5555): 
    adb connect [phone IP address]:5555
  3. Check the connection: 
    adb devices

    (your device should be displayed).

  4. Submit command to turn on GPS: 
    adb shell settings put global location_mode 3

    (where 3 is “High Accuracy" mode).

Install Android SDK Platform-Tools|Enable USB debugging on the phone|Connect to the same Wi-Fi network|Run the command `adb tcpip 5555` at USB connection-->

⚠️ Attention: Starting from Android 10, many manufacturers (including Samsung and Huawei) block ADB commands for changing system settings without root access. If the command does not work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.LOCATION_SOURCE_SETTINGS

This command will open the geolocation settings menu on the phone, but physical interaction with the device will be required to confirm.

Method Requires root Works on Android 12+ Restrictions
Google Find My Device ❌ No ✅ Yes Passive tracking only
ADB commands ⚠️ Sometimes ❌ Partially Blocked on many firmware
Third-party applications (Cerberus) ❌ No ✅ Yes Requires preliminary installation
SMS commands (for older Androids) ❌ No ❌ No (up to Android 8) Outdated, insecure

3. Third-party applications for remote control

If standard methods do not work, you can use specialized applications that are installed in advance (before you lose your phone). The most reliable:

  • 🛡️ Cerberus — allows you to remotely turn on GPS, lock your phone, and even take photos from the front camera. Works in hidden mode.
  • 📱 Prey Anti Theft —sends location data even if the SIM card is replaced.
  • 🔍 Where’s My Droid —supports SMS commands to turn on GPS (relevant for Android 7-9).

Setting example Cerberus:

  1. Install the application from Google Play to the target phone.
  2. Register and activate administrator rights in the Android settings.
  3. In your personal account on the website Cerberus send the command "Enable GPS».

⚠️ Attention: Most antivirus applications (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) block remote control functions due to the risk of abuse. Before installation Cerberus add it to your antivirus exceptions.

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Third-party applications are the only reliable way to turn on GPS remotely, but they must be installed and configured IN ADVANCE. Once you lose your phone, you will no longer be able to install them.

4. Workarounds: how to make the phone “think” that GPS is on

If direct methods do not work, you can try indirect methods that will force the system to activate geolocation automatically:

  • 📲 Use the “Emergency” function call". On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy), when you dial an emergency number (for example, 112), GPS is automatically turned on to transmit coordinates to rescue services. Do not end the call — just dial the number and stop dialing.
  • 🔄 Reboot the phone remotely. If the device has the option to automatically turn on GPS after reboot (configurable in Settings → Location → Scan), this may work. The reboot can be initiated via Find My Device or ADB.
  • 📶 Connect to a known Wi-Fi network. Some applications (for example Google Maps) automatically turn on GPS when connected to a trusted network. If you know where the phone is located (for example, at home or in the office), try remotely connecting it to your Wi-Fi via Google Home or router.

🔹 Example command to reboot via ADB: 

adb shell reboot

⚠️ Important: On Android 13+ many manufacturers have disabled the ability to remotely reboot without confirmation on the lock screen. This method will only work on devices with an unlocked bootloader or root access.

Before trying to enable geolocation on someone else's phone, please note:

  • 🚨 Illegal tracking (without the owner's consent) may be qualified as a violation of the right to privacy (Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
  • 🔐 Bypassing Android protection (for example, via ADB or root) can lead to blocking of the device by policy Google Play Protect.
  • 📵 Operators communications (for example, MTS, Beeline) can block the SIM card if unauthorized access is suspected.

🔹 When is remote activation of GPS legal?

  • ✅ The phone belongs to you (for example, lost or stolen).
  • ✅ The device was issued to the employee under a contract (with consent to monitoring).
  • ✅ You are a parent, and the phone is used by a child under 14 years old (according to Article 64 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation).

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If you find someone else's phone and want to return it to the owner, do not try to turn on the GPS yourself. Take the device to the police or a communication shop - they will be able to contact the owner via IMEI.

6. Alternative ways to determine location without GPS

If you cannot turn on GPS remotely, you can try to determine the location of your phone in other ways:

  • 📡 According to cell tower data. Services like Find My Device or IMEI Tracker show the approximate location of the nearest towers (accuracy - 500–2000 meters).
  • 🌐 Via IP address. If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, you can find out its IP and check its geolocation through services like IPLogger or 2ip.ru. Accuracy - to the city.
  • 📊 Google activity analysis. In Location histories (if it is turned on) movement data is saved, even if the GPS was turned off.

🔹 How to check location history:

  1. Go to Google Maps Timeline.
  2. Select date and device.
  3. Look routes and stopping points (if the phone turned on GPS at least once or connected to Wi-Fi).

Is it possible to track a phone by IMEI without GPS?

IMEI is a unique device identifier, but only telecom operators and law enforcement agencies can track it in real time. Services like “IMEI Tracker” on the Internet are often fraudulent and do not provide accurate data. You can officially request geolocation by IMEI only through the police (if there is a report of theft).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about remotely enabling geolocation

❓ Is it possible to turn on GPS on Android if the phone is turned off?

No. All methods require the device to be turned on and connected to the Internet. If your phone is dead or turned off, your only option is to wait for it to be turned back on (for example, if it's lost and someone finds it). The service Find My Device can notify you when the device appears on the network.

❓ Why don't ADB commands work on my Samsung?

Manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi i Huawei modify Android, blocking changes to system settings via ADB without root access. Starting from Android 10, many commands (including settings put global) require confirmation on the device screen. The alternative is to use Samsung Knox (for corporate devices) or get root.

❓ What applications can enable GPS remotely without root?

From the proven options:

  • Cerberus - works on most devices, but requires prior installation.
  • Prey Anti Theft —supports hidden mode and sending coordinates by email.
  • Family Link (from Google)—allows parents to track the location of children, but does not force GPS.

⚠️ Beware of applications from unknown sources - many of them contain spyware.

❓ Can I turn on GPS via SMS command?

On Android 7 and below some applications (for example, Where’s My Droid) supported SMS commands to enable GPS. This method does not currently work due to security restrictions. Modern versions of Android block the execution of commands from SMS without explicit confirmation from the user.

❓ What to do if the phone is in airplane mode?

In airplane mode, all wireless modules (including GPS) are disabled. It is not possible to exit this mode remotely; physical access to the device is required. The exception is if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi manually (on some devices, Wi-Fi can be turned on separately, even in airplane mode).