You’ve seen that in movies and TV shows countless times.

A beautiful wife, suspicious of her husband’s whereabouts, secretly installs a tracking device on his car to discover the truth. She sees how he goes to the office, then to a hotel, and stays here for a few hours before returning home.

Then, she “suddenly” comes up with the evidence and confronts him, leading to a dramatic plot twist. He cries, promises to change, and they live happily ever after.

Real life is not that simple. If you’re feeling suspicious about your partner’s activities and want to track their car without them knowing, it can be a tricky situation to navigate, both from a legal and technical standpoint.

So, how can you do it? And will you even be able to do it without getting into legal trouble? Here are some things to consider.

Is It Legal to Track Your Spouse’s Car?

Putting a GPS tracking device on your spouse’s car without their consent is generally considered illegal. It’s an invasion of privacy and can be deemed as stalking in some cases.

In addition, installing hardware or software on someone else’s vehicle without their knowledge or permission is against the law.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, depending on where you live. Our careful research shows that there are five scenarios where you can track your spouse’s car legally:

  • You own the car: If the vehicle is solely under your name, you have the right to install a tracking device without anyone’s consent.
  • Your spouse gives permission: If they are aware and give their consent for you to track their car, then it is not considered illegal.
  • The car is used for business purposes: If you run a company and provide your spouse with a car for business use, you can track it to monitor its usage and ensure it’s only used for work purposes.
  • Your spouse is missing: If your spouse has gone missing and you are concerned for their safety, you may be able to use tracking technology to locate them. However, this should always be done in consultation with the police.

In sum, tracking your spouse’s car without their knowledge is legal if you own the vehicle, they give permission, or it’s for legitimate safety reasons.

How to Track Someone’s Car Without Them Knowing Without Spy App

Here are four ways to track your spouse’s car without them knowing, without using a spy app:

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) involves tags that emit radio signals and can be attached to objects, such as a car, for tracking purposes. This method requires a reader to capture the signals from the tag to determine the object’s location.

Limitations include short range, as most RFID systems work effectively only within a few meters. Additionally, RFID might not provide real-time tracking information, making it less suitable for monitoring a car’s movements over long distances.

Radio Transmitter

Utilizing a radio transmitter for car tracking involves attaching a small radio transmitter to the vehicle. This method allows for tracking via specific radio frequencies. These radio transmitters include a relatively short tracking range compared to GPS.

Additionally, the technology may require specialized equipment to monitor the frequency, which can be cumbersome and less accessible than other methods.

GPS Tracker

Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers are the most common and effective tools for tracking a vehicle’s location in real time. These devices use satellite signals to pinpoint a car’s exact location.

While they offer precise location data and the ability to monitor a vehicle’s route history, limitations lie in having a clear sky for optimal signal connection. Furthermore, GPS trackers usually require a subscription service for detailed tracking information, which could be a recurring cost.

OBD-II Trackers

On-board diagnostics (OBD-II) trackers plug directly into the car’s OBD-II port, providing real-time location data as well as diagnostic information about the vehicle’s status. While offering detailed insights and easy installation, anyone familiar with cars can easily detect and remove these trackers. Also, their usage is limited to vehicles manufactured after 1996, which must have an OBD-II port.

How to track someone’s car without them knowing with Spy App

If you want to track your spouse’s car without them knowing and monitor their movements everywhere they go, using a spy app on their phone may be the most effective solution. 

But which spy app is the best for this purpose? We recommend Phonsee, a comprehensive mobile tracking and monitoring app that offers GPS tracking features and additional tools such as call recording, social media monitoring, and more.

Key features of Phonsee’s GPS tracking include:

  • Real-time location updates
  • Geo-fencing to receive alerts when your spouse enters or leaves a certain area
  • Route history tracking to see where they have been over time

Apart from these, Phonsee also offers other useful features such as call and message monitoring, web browsing history tracking, and remote control options.

How to Use Phonsee for Car Tracking

To use Phonsee’s GPS tracking feature, you will need to:

  1. Create your account on the Phonsee website and purchase a subscription.
  2. Install the app following the on-screen instructions on your spouse’s phone.
  3. Log in to your account from any device to access the tracking dashboard.
  4. Start monitoring your spouse’s location in real-time and receive alerts for specific locations or movements.
Try Phonsee

Benefits of Using Phonsee over Traditional Methods

Phonsee provides several advantages over traditional car tracking methods.

  • No matter where your spouse goes, you can track their location as long as they have their phone with them.
  • You can monitor other activities on their phone apart from just tracking their location, giving you a comprehensive view of their actions.
  • Phonsee is discreet and cannot be easily detected or removed by the user.
  • Using Phonsee is a more cost-effective option in the long run than purchasing a separate tracking device or paying for a private investigator.

Conclusion

If you’re on the fence about tracking your spouse’s car, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully. While tracking their location can provide peace of mind and security in some cases, it can also damage trust in a relationship if done without consent or for malicious purposes.

If you do decide to track your spouse’s car, make sure to research and use the most suitable method for your needs. Our best recommendation would be to use Phonsee, a reliable and comprehensive spy app that offers GPS tracking as well as other useful monitoring features.

FAQ

Is it possible to detect if there is a hidden GPS tracker on my vehicle?

Yes, it is possible to detect if there is a hidden GPS tracker on your vehicle, though it may require a bit of effort. Some signs include unfamiliar wires or devices attached to your car, especially around the OBD-II port or inside the trunk. You can also use electronic sweeper devices designed to detect radio frequencies, which can help locate hidden GPS trackers.

Do all spy apps require physical access to the phone for installation?

Most spy apps require physical phone access for the initial installation process. This is to ensure the app is properly installed and configured to track the information accurately. However, once installed, these apps track information remotely, and physical access is not required.

Are there legal implications for tracking someone’s car without their knowledge?

The legality of tracking someone’s car without their knowledge varies by region and circumstances. In some cases, it may be considered an invasion of privacy or electronic surveillance, which could lead to legal consequences. It is important to research and understand the laws in your area before using any tracking methods.