If you have a GPS-enabled device there is a lot you can do with it. For one, you can keep an eye on your children, or track a cheating spouse, or help your family maintain peace-of-mind by allowing them to see where you are at all times.

In fact, you can also use your phone’s GPS and mapping software to improve your social life, by using GPS Applications to rendezvous with friends who are near by.

For some people it is scary to thing to know that they can be tracked at all times, and rightly so, but there are lots of legitimate uses for cell phone tracking solutions, not least among which is ensuring that your family members are safe.

Here are some of the best Android cell phone tracking apps.

Family GPS Tracker by Life360

This app uses award-winning Facebook and Google technology to track family members in real-time. The app can also monitor sex offenders who live close by. Family GPS Tracker does more than just trace people though, in that family members can check-in to let you know that they are safe. In fact, this app was awarded a first place prize in an Android developer challenge.

Family GPS tracker works especially well as a child locator. When you want to ensure that your child is safe simply sign in to the mapping software to see where he/she is; see what threats are in the area; and configure the app to send alerts when family members are in trouble.

GPS Tracker – Android Asset and Vehicle Tracking

This is a free GPS cell phone tracking software for Android smart phones. GPS Tracker was developed by InstaMapper LLC and is perhaps the best free Android phone locator app out there. Like most real-time tracking solutions, this app uses Google Maps, but you need to signup for a free account at InstaMapper to access the service.

Once you setup your account and install the software on your phone, you can track anything that is carrying the device, provided that it has a clear view of the sky in order that the GPS receiver can acquire a satellite signal).  Because it uses Google Maps you can also display tracking information on a website, application, or device that supports Google Maps.

Google Latitude – Family and Child Tracking

Google Latitude enables users to share their location with other Google Latitude users, but ensures that no one can see your location if you don’t share it with them. Perhaps you are not willing to share your exact location.

If that’s your preference you can turn on the city level view instead; this will let others know what city you are in but no further information as to your where-about will be shared.

Is there a Google Latitude Android app? Not really, you access and use the service by visiting google.com/latitude (using phone, tablet or computer) to send an invitation to a friend or family member.  Once they accept the invitation you can start tracking them, but it is the user who determines how much information is given.

Final Words

Maybe you want to trace someone’s journey as they make their way home in bad weather, or it could be that you want to track a vehicle. In which case you would simply leave the phone hidden in the vehicle just in case the vehicle is stolen or is taken for a joy ride (vehicle tracking with no monthly fee, yeah).

If you are looking for a solution that can covertly track someone’s cell phone, without them knowing it, you may need to get the much acclaimed MobiStealth PRO-X cell phone tracking app.

Otherwise the above-mentioned Android phone trackers can serve you well if the cell phone owner doesn’t mind you tracking their phone. If you know of any other great but free mobile tracking apps, please let us know about it in the comments section below.