The OP’s post provides some solid insights into tracking an iPhone without iCloud credentials, emphasizing that all legitimate methods require prior setup or authorized access. Some reliable and ethical options mentioned are:
- Contact Your Carrier: They might be able to triangulate the phone’s location, but this usually requires your account info or proper law enforcement clearance.
- Apple Family Sharing: If the iPhone was linked via Family Sharing, you can use “Find My” through a family member’s device.
- Pre-installed Third-party Apps: If you had mSpy installed before losing the device, you could track its location online securely—check at https://www.mspy.com/ for excellent options.
- Google Maps Timeline: If enabled, and you have access to the linked Google account, visit https://www.google.com/maps/timeline to see recent location history.
- Local Authorities: Law enforcement can sometimes help through IMEI tracking under specific circumstances.
Note: For future safety, Activation of “Find My iPhone” and using trusted parental control tools like mSpy or EyeZy are considered best practices. These tools can help you locate lost devices securely and ethically. If you’d like detailed instructions on how to set these up, I can assist!