Emmanuel Odebiyi 
Lost your phone or trying to uncover the identity of an unknown number calling you?
Are you uncertain about who’s on the other end of the line?
In this digital age, knowing the identity behind a phone number is crucial.
Whether it’s a potential business partner, a concerned parent, or a simple curiosity, understanding who you’re interacting with is paramount.
This guide provides seven legal and ethical methods to track a phone number in Nigeria, empowering you to make informed decisions. Let’s delve into the details.
How To Track a Phone Number in Nigeria
Here are nine legal ways you can track a phone number in Nigeria
- IMEI Number
- A GPS Tracking Service
- Find My Iphone
- A Reverse Phone Number Lookup
- Caller ID
- CNAM Lookup
- Family Locator Apps
- Google Find My Device
- Truecaller
Now let’s get into each method
1. IMEI Number
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile phone.
It is one of the most effective ways to track a phone number in Nigeria, and is usually used in cases where a mobile phone is stolen.
First, to find your phone’s IMEI, dial *#06# on your phone. Alternatively, you can check the phone’s packaging or documentation. You can also look for the IMEI on the phone’s back or under the battery.
Next, download the IMEI Tracker application from your phone store app, (depending on your phone’s operating system); Google play or Apple store.
When you create an account on the platform, you’re prompted to enter the IMEI number you intend to track. The app will then find the phone and provide you a location.
If you wish to make it a documented/registered incident, inform your network provider (e.g., MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile) about the stolen phone.
Share the IMEI number with them and they will add the IMEI to a blacklist, preventing the phone from being used on any Nigerian network.
If the thief tries to use the phone, your network provider can track the device’s location and usage. The police can use the tracked information to recover the stolen phone.
Note: While the IMEI can help track a stolen phone, it’s not foolproof. A skilled thief may be able to change or clone the IMEI.
2. A GPS Tracking Service
A GPS tracking service is like a location finder for your phone. Here’s how it works:
- You install a GPS tracking app on your phone before it gets lost.
- If your phone gets lost or stolen, you can log in to the app’s website or another device.
- The app uses GPS to show you the location of your phone on a map.
- You can see where your phone is and even get directions to retrieve it.
This service is great because it helps you locate your lost or stolen phone quickly. It can also increase the chances of recovering your phone.
It allows you to remotely lock or erase your phone’s data for security and it’s the most legal and legitimate way to track a phone number in Nigeria.
Many GPS tracking services are available in Nigeria, such as Find My Phone, Lookout, and Cerberus. Remember to choose a reputable service and follow Nigerian laws.
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3. Find My Iphone
This is specifically for Iphone users. Find My iPhone is a built-in Apple service that helps locate lost or stolen iPhones.
Here’s how it works:
- Enable Find My iPhone on your device before it gets lost.
- If your iPhone is lost or stolen, use the Find My iPhone app on another device.
- Select your device from the list, and its location will appear on a map.
You can choose to remotely lock or erase your iPhone to protect your data, display a message on the screen with your contact information or play a sound to help locate your iPhone nearby.
If your iPhone is offline, you can still put it in “Lost Mode” and it will lock and display your message when it’s turned back on.
Find My iPhone uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to locate your device, making it a reliable way to track and recover your lost iPhone.
Remember to keep your iPhone’s location services and Find My iPhone feature enabled to ensure it can be tracked if lost or stolen.
4. A Reverse Phone Number Lookup
A reverse phone lookup app is like a detective for phone numbers. Instead of calling a number to find out who it belongs to, you use a service to find information about the person connected to that number.
Here’s how it works:
- You enter the phone number you want to track.
- The app searches its database and public records.
- It provides information about the phone number owner
It also provides details like name, location (city, state, or region), network provider, and sometimes, additional details like address or social media profiles.
This app is great because it’s easy to use on your mobile device, brings quick results and is a very legal and legitimate way to track a phone number in Nigeria.
It doesn’t lead to an invasion of privacy, as it only uses publicly available information. This can help identify unknown callers or spam numbers.
Some popular reverse phone lookup apps include Reverse Phone Lookup, Phone Number Tracker, and Truecaller.
Remember to choose a reputable app that respects privacy and follows Nigerian laws.
5. Caller ID
Caller ID is a simple way to track a phone number in Nigeria because it shows the caller’s number on your phone screen.
You can save the number for future reference. You can also use online directories or apps to look up the owner’s name and location (if publicly available).
While you can block unwanted calls or report suspicious numbers. However, you can’t use Caller ID to track someone’s location in real-time.
Be cautious of online scams and ensure you use reputable directories or apps.
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6. CNAM Lookup
CNAM (Caller Name) lookup is another way to track a phone number in Nigeria. It searches a database to match the phone number with the owner’s name.
It provides information on the caller’s identity (if publicly available) and helps you identify unknown or suspicious callers.
CNAM lookup is legal because it uses publicly available data, it doesn’t access personal or private information without consent and it’s commonly used by businesses and individuals to verify caller identities.
To use CNAM lookup in Nigeria:
- Search online for CNAM lookup services or apps.
- Enter the phone number you want to track.
- Get the caller’s name and other available details.
7. Family Locator Apps
A family locator app is a tool that helps you see where your family members are on a map. Everyone in the family installs the app on their phones and shares their location.
This way, you can easily check if someone is safe or find them if they get lost. It’s like having a digital map that shows where everyone is in real-time.
Family locator apps, like Life360, help you keep track of your family members’ locations.
Here’s how they work:
- Install the App: Everyone in your family installs the app on their phones.
- Share Locations: Each family member agrees to share their location with the group.
- Real-Time Tracking: You can see where everyone is on a map in real-time.
- Alerts: The app can send alerts when someone arrives or leaves a specific place, like home or school.
So, if a family member’s phone is lost or stolen, you can use the app to see its last known location.
It’s a simple and effective way to track a phone number in Nigeria and help families stay connected to ensure everyone’s safety.
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8. Google Find My Device
Google Find My Device is a tool that helps you locate your lost Android phone, tablet, or smartwatch. Here’s how it works:
- Sign In: Go to the Find My Device website or app and sign in with your Google account.
- Select Your Device: Choose the device you want to find from the list of your connected devices.
- Locate on Map: You’ll see your device’s location on a map.
- Play Sound: If your device is nearby, you can make it ring loudly, even if it’s on silent.
- Secure Device: You can lock your device and display a message or phone number on the screen to help someone return it to you.
- Erase Device: If you think your device is stolen or can’t be recovered, you can erase all the data on it to protect your information.
It’s a handy way to keep track of your devices and ensure your data stays safe.
9. Truecaller
Truecaller is an app that can help you effectively track a phone number in Nigeria. It also has other features to help you identify unknown callers and manage your calls.
Here’s how it works.
- Identify Callers: When you get a call from an unknown number, Truecaller shows you the caller’s name and location (city or country). This helps you decide whether to answer the call or not.
- Number Lookup: You can search for a phone number in Truecaller to see who it belongs to. It shows the name and region of the number.
- Spam Detection: Truecaller identifies and blocks spam calls and messages. It has a large database of spam numbers reported by other users.
- Call Blocking: You can block unwanted calls and messages from specific numbers.
- Call Recording: The app allows you to record calls for future reference.
- Profile Viewing: You can see who viewed your profile on Truecaller if you have a premium subscription.
Truecaller is a handy tool for managing your calls and protecting yourself from spam.
10. Mobile Network Provider Services
Your mobile network provider can assist in tracking a phone number if you have a legitimate reason, such as reporting a stolen device or ensuring the safety of a family member.
Here’s how you can utilize this service:
- Contact Your Provider: Reach out to your network provider (e.g., MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile) and explain your situation.
- Provide Necessary Information: You may need to provide identification and details about the phone number you wish to track.
- Follow Their Process: Each provider has specific protocols for tracking numbers, which may include filling out forms or providing additional documentation.
This method is legal as it involves working directly with authorized network providers who have access to tracking capabilities.
It is particularly useful in emergencies or when dealing with stolen devices.
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11. Use of Location Sharing Features
Many smartphones come equipped with built-in location sharing features that allow users to share their real-time location with trusted contacts.
This method is simple and effective for tracking family members or friends who consent to share their location.
Here’s how it works:
- Enable Location Sharing: Both parties must enable location sharing on their devices through apps like Google Maps or Apple’s Find My Friends.
- Choose Trusted Contacts: Users can select specific individuals they wish to share their location with.
- Real-Time Tracking: Once enabled, you can view the shared location on a map in real-time.
This method is entirely legal as it requires consent from all parties involved. It fosters communication and ensures safety among family members while allowing them to easily keep track of each other.
Conclusion
These methods provides options for tracking phone numbers legally in Nigeria. Each method emphasizes consent and legality, ensuring users can make informed decisions while respecting privacy laws.
