Does Life360 Work When Your Phone is Off: A Big No!

by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young Updated On Apr 12, 2024 Published On Mar 14, 2022 Tips

Life360 is a popular location-sharing app that enables family members and friends to keep track of each other's whereabouts. However, a common question arises: does Life360 work if your phone is turned off?

To understand this, let's delve into how location-sharing services like Life360 function and how they're affected when your phone is powered off.

Does Life360 Work When Your Phone is Off?

Can Life360 Track When Your Phone Is Off?

NO, Life360 cannot track a turned-off phone. According to Life360, when your phone is turned off, it essentially disconnects from all networks, including cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Consequently, it becomes impossible for any location-tracking app, including Life360, to access or track your phone's location in real-time.

Does Life360 Work When Your Phone is Off

Does Life360 Notify When Your Phone Is Off?

YES, Life360 notifies when your phone is off. People in your circle will receive a notification indicating that your device is turned off or experiencing no network connectivity. Additionally, a "No network or phone off" status will appear next to your name.

Does Life360 Notify When Your Phone is Off

What Happens to Life360 When Your Phone Is Off?

When you turn off your phone, you effectively disconnect it from Wi-Fi and the cellular network. This action has several implications for Life360:

  • No Real-Time Tracking: Turning off your phone prevents it from sending signals to cell towers and accessing Wi-Fi networks. Consequently, your location cannot be tracked in real-time when your phone is off.
  • Last-Known Location: While your phone is off, your service provider or internet provider may still have records of your last known location before the phone was powered down.
  • Update Upon Restart: When you turn your phone back on, it will reconnect to the cellular network and possibly Wi-Fi if available. At this point, your device's current location can be determined and shared with authorized users on services like Life360.

Under These Circumstances, Life360 Won't Work Either

Airplane Mode Activated

Enabling Airplane mode instantly disables your phone's wireless systems, including GPS and Wi-Fi. Consequently, you won't be able to connect to the Life360 app, and your location will not be visible to other Circle members.

Location Services Disabled on Your Device

By disabling location services for Life360 or completely turning off location services on your device, Life360 will be unable to track your location, and other members won't see your live location

Not Logged into Life360

Being logged in allows your Circle members to contact you, and they'll still see that you're online and connected to the Life360 app. However, by logging out of Life360, you essentially become invisible and won't be tracked by the app.

Phone Battery Died

A phone with a dead battery functions similarly to a powered-off phone. While you can't use your device, you'll be automatically logged out of the app, and your current location won't be tracked. However, it's important to note that the app will still record your last known location.

No Network Connection

For the Life360 app to accurately track your location, both Wi-Fi and GPS services must be enabled. If your phone experiences poor network connectivity, it won't provide precise location data. Consequently, the app will not track your location in real-time.

In such cases, your Circle members will only see your last known location or no location at all, mirroring the effects of turning off your phone's location features.

How to Trick Life360 Without Anyone Knowing

Switching off your phone to prevent Life360 from tracking your location without anyone knowing isn't practical. So, how can you avoid being tracked while keeping your phone active, without alerting other circle members? One solution is using MockGo, an iPhone location changer.

MockGo changes your current location, making it appear as if you're elsewhere, all while keeping you active on the app. It's compatible with all iPhone devices and iOS versions. Here's how to install and use MockGo to trick Life360 location:

Step 1. Download and install MockGo on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your device to the computer.

connect your iOS device to the computer

Step 3. Choose your desired location and click the Search button.

 search for a location

Step 4. Once the location is selected, click Move Here, and your device's location will be teleported accordingly.

click Move Here

location teleported

FAQs

1. Why Do Teenagers Want to Turn off Life360?

Although Life360 is a valuable tool for keeping track of family and friends, many teenagers find it intimidating to be constantly monitored. Here are some main reasons why teenagers may want to turn off Life360:

  • Feeling like their privacy is invaded, as constant tracking can imply a lack of trust from their parents.
  • Wanting to hang out with friends without the pressure of being monitored.
  • Keeping secret plans, such as surprise birthday parties, hidden from their parents or friends.

2. How to Know If Someone's Phone Is Off?

A simple way to check if someone's phone is off is by calling them. If the call goes straight to voicemail or you hear a busy tone, it's likely that their phone is turned off or the battery has died.

You can also determine their phone status through the Life360 app. By opening the app and viewing your Circle or private group, you'll see the members listed. Swiping down reveals their status, including their current location and if they're within your Geofence or specific locations.

Final Thoughts

Life360 is unable to track your phone's location when it's turned off. When your phone is powered down, it disconnects from all networks, including GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular, rendering it impossible for Life360 or any other location-tracking app to access your location in real-time.

While Life360 offers valuable family location tracking, it's crucial to respect individual privacy. Continuous surveillance of a phone's location can feel intrusive. By adhering to these tips, you can freely use your phone without feeling like every move is being monitored.

J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young

Mako is a technical writer with a passion for all things tech. Whether you're wondering about how to fix your iPhone or Android device or trying to get something to work in your settings, Mako is your go-to for professional help. He loves writing, testing solutions, and most of all, making sure his research is factually accurate.

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