Must-have apps to track family members and keep them safe

In today’s fast-paced world, prioritising the safety and well-being of our loved ones has become more essential than ever.

Whether you're keeping an eye on your children, checking in on elderly parents, or ensuring your friends get home safely, location-tracking apps are revolutionising the way we stay connected.

These apps offer real-time location updates, emergency alerts and even driving reports, all designed to provide peace of mind for families.

From popular apps like Life360 to built-in smartphone features, here are the must-have apps to ensure your family's safety.

LIFE360

One of the most popular family-tracking apps, Life360 provides real-time location updates, driving reports and even crash detection.

Parents can confirm whether their children have safely arrived at school, while friends can use it to ensure everyone gets home safely after a night out.

The app also offers driving reports, giving insights into speed, hard braking and phone usage while driving.

With crash detection and emergency response features, Life360 automatically alerts contacts in case of an accident, making it an essential tool for families, especially those with teenage drivers.

FIND MY IPHONE / FIND MY DEVICE (APPLE & ANDROID)

For iPhone users, the built-in Find My iPhone feature allows you to track family members who share their location.

Android users have a similar feature called Find My Device, which works in the same way.

These apps allow family members to share their location easily, without the need for additional software.

They can also help locate lost or stolen devices, play sounds for retrieval and even enable remote locking or data erasure to protect personal information.

GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION SHARING

While most people use Google Maps for navigation, did you know it has a real-time location-sharing feature?

You can share your live location with trusted contacts for a set period or indefinitely.

Unlike other tracking apps, Google Maps is already pre-installed on most smartphones, making it a convenient and accessible option.

It’s particularly useful for temporary tracking, such as letting family members know when you're on your way home or meeting someone in a crowded area.

GEOZILLA

For those concerned about battery life, GeoZilla is an excellent alternative.

Unlike other tracking apps that can quickly drain your phone’s battery, GeoZilla is designed to be more energy-efficient while still providing accurate location tracking.

The app includes geofencing alerts that notify users when family members arrive at or leave specific locations.

It also features an SOS button for emergencies, making it a reliable solution for parents and caregivers who need constant tracking without worrying about battery life.

ISHARING

If real-time tracking and communication are vital, iSharing offers a built-in walkie-talkie feature alongside its GPS tracking capabilities.

This allows family members to send quick voice messages without making a phone call.

The app also provides push notifications when a loved one arrives at or leaves a specified location, as well as a panic alert feature for emergencies.

iSharing is perfect for families who need a fast and simple way to stay connected.

GLYMPSE

For temporary tracking needs, Glympse offers a unique solution.

It allows users to share their location for a set time, which then automatically expires once the time period ends.

This makes it ideal for one-time tracking, such as letting a family member know when you're on your way home or meeting up with a friend in a busy area.

SAFE365

Tailored for elderly care, Safe365 not only tracks location but also monitors daily activity to ensure seniors are safe.

The app includes an emergency button, enabling elderly users to alert their family if they require assistance.

It also provides insights into movement patterns and step tracking, making it a great choice for caregivers who wish to ensure their loved ones remain active and safe.

MY FAMILY – FAMILY LOCATOR

This app is ideal for families who need detailed location history and geofencing features.

My Family allows you to check where someone has been throughout the day and set up alerts when they arrive at or leave specific locations.

The app also includes a panic button for emergencies.

BARK

For parents concerned about both their child’s digital safety and physical location, Bark is a powerful tool that combines location tracking with parental controls.

In addition to monitoring social media and text messages for potential dangers, such as cyberbullying and online predators, the app also provides alerts when a child’s location changes.

Bark offers peace of mind to parents looking to protect their children both online and offline.

FAMILY LOCATOR BY SYGIC

Teen drivers can benefit from Family Locator by Sygic, which includes crash detection alerts and driving behaviour analysis.

This app notifies emergency contacts in the event of an accident and provides detailed driving reports, making it an essential tool for parents who wish to monitor their teen’s driving habits and ensure their safety on the road.

With these apps, staying connected and ensuring the safety of your loved ones has never been easier.

Whether you're a parent tracking your child’s journey to school, a caregiver looking after an elderly family member, or just someone who wants peace of mind when meeting friends, these tracking apps offer real-time updates and emergency features to help keep everyone safe.

In an unpredictable world, a little extra security goes a long way!