Can you track a phone with no sim card using a spy app?

Nanoor
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:54:42 +0000

You’re asking about a pretty specific scenario, and it’s worth breaking down some of the common assumptions.

“Tracking” without a SIM: A SIM card primarily handles cellular network connectivity (calls, texts, mobile data). GPS and Wi-Fi are independent of the SIM. So, yes, a phone without a SIM can still determine its location using GPS and Wi-Fi.

Spy App Requirements:

Prior Setup: Absolutely critical. No reputable “spy app” is going to spontaneously appear on a device. It requires physical access to install and configure.

Root/Jailbreak: Often, yes. Many advanced monitoring features require elevated system privileges that only rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iOS) can provide. Without these, the app’s capabilities are severely limited by the operating system’s security.

Internet Connection: This is the big one. For the app to report any tracked data (location, messages, etc.) back to you, the device must have an active internet connection. If there’s no SIM, this means it needs to be connected to Wi-Fi.

Location Accuracy: If connected to Wi-Fi and/or with active GPS, accuracy can be quite good, similar to any other phone. However, if it’s not connected to the internet, the app might log locations locally, but you won’t receive them until it gets online.

So, while technically possible for a device to know its location without a SIM, the “spy app” part relies entirely on prior installation, often root/jailbreak, and a consistent internet connection via Wi-Fi for data transmission. Without that last part, it’s just a phone with an app, not a reporting tool.