2 replies to this topic

[top tier hippo]

Heyo!

 

So for a story that I'm writing, I need some info on phone tracking, and I was curious to see if anyone on here could assist. 

 

You know how in movies, they'll make a call and break the phone right after? Why exactly? Does that make it impossible to track...or...?

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question :P

[lil BIG dwarf]

I believe they lock a signal on the phone (like, they can tell it called from this general area or street), but they can’t track the phone itself if it’s broken, just know where it was (idk, not 100% sure on this-check google).

[IsAnyoneThere]

Heyo!

 

So for a story that I'm writing, I need some info on phone tracking, and I was curious to see if anyone on here could assist. 

 

You know how in movies, they'll make a call and break the phone right after? Why exactly? Does that make it impossible to track...or...?

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question :P

 

 

It's basically out of date, tbh. It used to be that your phone would be in contact with 2 or 3 mobile ("cell") masts, and when you make a call, you could find the person's position if you get the data from the masts. Ideally keeping them on the line long enough for that data to come through from all 3 (or more) otherwise you don't get an exact location.

 

Now it's kinds pointless, because the GPS in your phone can pinpoint you to the nearest foot pretty much instantly. If your phone is on, the network knows exactly where you are. 

 

I don't think it's been since about the 1980s that they've needed to "keep you on the line" for 3 minutes or whatever it is in films.