Can Life360 Track Text Messages? (Life360 Privacy FAQs)

by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young Updated On Mar 29, 2023 Published On Mar 1, 2022 Tips

Considering that Life360 tracks GPS in real-time and shares the location of a device with other members of the circle, it is easy to wonder what other types of data it can be used to track.

Parents can use Life360 to track the movement of their children and get accurate, real-time information.

But can it be used to track text messages, search history or Apps?

Discover answers to the most frequently asked questions about Life360 privacy here.

Can Life360 track text messages?

The simple answer is NO. Life360 doesn't have access to, nor can it read your text messages.

But the app does have a social media feature that allows group members to share messages with each other.

Members can also easily copy and paste text messages to other members of the circle.

With the paid version of the Life360 app, you can choose to be notified when circle members are using their devices while driving.

The app advertises this as the "texting while driving" notification which has led people to believe that maybe the app can track text messages, but the truth is it only tracks usage of the device while driving and has no way of knowing if you are texting and driving.

Can Life360 see your search history?

Despite the widespread skepticism surrounding the privacy of the Life360 app, its primary function is centered around sharing locations.

While it does have the ability to collect data from other applications, there is no need to be concerned about the app spying on your internet search history.

To put it simply, there is no need to worry about Life360 sharing your internet history with your family members.

Moreover, it is possible to adjust the location settings to gain greater control over the privacy of your mobile device.

Life360 is a safety app that enables family members to stay informed about each other's location at all times.

In the event that you are running late due to traffic or other reasons, your circle members can access information about the traffic status and your current speed.

This eliminates the need for repeated phone calls and allows your circle to have a more accurate estimate of your arrival time.

The Life360 app provides users with complete control over the information they choose to share with their circle.

It is common knowledge that the app is installed on mobile devices and shares location information with family members.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about Life360 tracking your search history or browsing habits on other applications.

Numerous app developers have confirmed that Life360 does not have access to your search history.

Can Life360 see your apps?

In most cases, YES. The crash detection and location functions rely on certain apps, particularly those that use GPS features.

Therefore, it is possible for Life360 to identify these apps and track your location and activities accordingly.

Life360 has safety features that monitor for distracted driving, which means that if you use your phone while driving, the app can detect whether you are texting or talking on the phone.

It can also identify if any apps are running in the foreground and even read their names from the uninstall page.

While Life360 can monitor which apps you are using, it does not disclose this information to your circle.

For instance, if you are using a dating app while driving, your circle will not know that you are using that specific app, but they will receive an alert that you are driving and being distracted.

Can Life360 see your activities on device?

The only other phone function that Life360 can monitor, apart from location tracking, is phone usage while driving, which is part of the paid driver protection plan.

However, there's no need to be alarmed, as the app's phone usage detection is not sophisticated enough to view your specific actions or activities on your device.

Life360's phone usage monitoring includes detecting when you're texting, calling, or using an app while the phone is in motion while driving.

If you use a hands-free Bluetooth device, the app won't detect any phone usage, as it relies on movement detection.

What can parents and people in your circle see on Life360?

Life360 is not a parental control app and therefore parents will only be able to see what other members of the circle see.

And any member can choose to turn off location sharing to prevent the app from getting their actual location.

Apart from location tracking, the parent will be able to see the phone usage while driving, and driving safety alerts, which are covered by a paid driver protection plan.

Don't worry, Life360 will not give them access to any other type of data on the device.

The phone usage we're discussing doesn't mean Life360 could detect and view your specific action.

Texting, calling, or using an app that is detected by the movement of the phone while driving are all examples of phone usage.

The app will not detect any phone usage if you use a hands-free Bluetooth device.

Is Life360 a spy app?

While Life360 can be very valuable in helping a parent stay aware of where their child is at a given time, it is not a spy app.

There is no reason to become paranoid about the app's features.

Its sole purpose is to share location information, and all other data is secure. Privacy breaches are not a concern, and your data is completely protected.

It is important to note that members of your circle cannot view your text messages, calls, search history and only have access to your location.

While it is understandable to feel some level of skepticism about the location-sharing features of Life360, the app strives to maintain transparency in regard to the information being shared with family members.

Users have complete knowledge of what data is being shared and which family members are accessing it. Therefore, there is no need to worry about Life360 spying on you.

For a better understanding, you can explore the parental controls and see for yourself which information is visible to the parent account.

This will provide clarity and ensure that your privacy is maintained.

Final thoughts

Apps like Life360 are meant to help family members keep track of each other.

And while it will not have access to private data like text messages, it is still very invasive of your privacy.

There are no hidden features in Life360. Only with your permission will Life360 share your location.

Life360 is not a spy app and therefore cannot monitor your private communication such as text messages.

But it still has access to a significant aspect of your device's data, making it a less ideal solution to those who worry about their privacy.

If you still have concerns about your privacy as a result of using the Life360 app, there are ways that you can choose to spoof your location on Life360 and keep your actual GPS location private.

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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