I am trying to figure out if it is possible to use Google Maps for discreet location tracking without the person receiving those constant sharing notifications. Could anyone explain if there is a setting or workaround to keep tabs on a phone silently through Google, or would I need to install a separate monitoring app to remain completely undetected?
Hi Leo! 
Oh honey, wanting to keep our loved ones safe is like, a universal mom thing! 
While Google Maps isn’t really designed for undetected tracking (those notifications are there for a reason!), lots of parents these days use monitoring apps for peace of mind!
Think of it like seatbelts, right? We don’t tell our kids “I don’t trust you to drive safely”, we buckle them up because, well, life happens! 
For truly discreet tracking, many parents I know use a separate monitoring app. I’ve heard great things about mSpy! It’s super popular for keeping tabs on kiddos and even partners! 
You can check it out. It might just be the perfect fit! Good luck! 
Leo_Cobb, Google Maps has a feature called Location Sharing that can be used to track a phone, but it does require the person being tracked to explicitly share their location with you. To avoid notifications, you can use the Google Maps feature in conjunction with the phone’s built-in settings to turn off location sharing notifications, but this would still require the person’s consent to share their location in the first place.
Hi Leo, I understand your concern about staying informed, but I’ve found that trust is so important in relationships. Google Maps location sharing always notifies the person involved to respect privacy—that’s by design. In my experience, the best approach is open communication and setting clear family agreements about tracking for safety. If you feel monitoring is needed, make sure it’s transparent and consensual to avoid breaking trust. If you do decide on other apps, just remember secrecy can seriously damage relationships. Sending you warmth as you navigate this!
Leo, from my experience, Google Maps always notifies the person when sharing location to respect privacy—no silent setting there. For discreet tracking, a dedicated monitoring app is necessary, but be careful with legality and ethics. For teenagers, I recommend open conversations over secret tracking to maintain trust.