Can TextNow be traced back to your phone? TextNow allows you to communicate with friends and family, but it has hidden dangers.
In this article, we’ll discuss the one unwanted consequence of the app.
TextNow lets you send messages, make phone calls, and create conference calls from a single app.
It is available on Android, iOS, and Windows and is one of the VoIP apps that can be traced back to your phone number.
So, to answer the question, yes! TextNow can be traced back to your phone.
Your TextNow number can be traced back to your phone and other personal information that you might have used. There are several ways to achieve this, but a simple reverse lookup should have everything someone will need to track your down.
Before we discuss tracking TextNow’s location in detail, let us enumerate some important things you need to consider with the app’s privacy.
Is TextNow Traceable
TextNow obtains a lot of user data, including name, email, and IP address.
But don’t worry! Not anyone can access your info. Based on their Privacy Policy, only law enforcement can legally track TextNow numbers.
However, TextNow is traceable. You can track a TextNow number like a regular cell phone or landline number.
If you actively use it anywhere online, it leaves trails. And there are ways to track it.
What to Consider with TextNow’s Privacy
Is your TextNow number anonymous and impossible to trace? Unfortunately, the answer is NO. You can definitely trace back a TextNow number to your phone.
Let’s look at some important privacy considerations that you want to know about your TextNow account.
Here are some of the things you need to know about TextNow’s privacy:
1. TextNow Is Anonymous
In its conduct, TextNow is highly anonymous. It won’t show your name to the person you send messages to or call.
The app collects your personal data but doesn’t reveal your name while texting or calling.
2. Law Enforcement Can Access Records
TextNow takes data security and privacy seriously. But, if the police have a warrant against you, they may look up and access your TextNow number.
Then, they can subpoena the company to pull up your email address, name, and IP address.
3. TextNow Doesn’t Keep Messages or Call Logs
Instead, TextNow attaches your messages and call logs to your account and stores them on their servers.
This allows you to access them from anywhere with an Internet connection.
4. Don’t Use Your Real Name on Your Account
Ad-free subscribers can see your name or business on the call screen. Changing your profile information will help keep you anonymous.
Now that you have everything you need to know about TextNow’s privacy policy let us proceed to how to trace TextNow numbers.
Can TextNow Be Traced Back to Your Phone
We have now settled that TextNow can be traced back to your phone.
You can use a tool to save the hassle of manually conducting the search. Thus, the company makes no warranty on its security measures.
Nevertheless, TextNow is still an excellent VoIP app that allows you to send and receive texts, messages, and pictures, make phone calls and send voicemails.
You can use it for both personal and business purposes.
Let us now take a deep dive at this topic and address a few concerns that you may have regarding TextNow.
Who Can Track TextNow Numbers
Since you can be tracked even if you’re using a TextNow number, the question you want to ask now is who can track you.
The quick answer to that is anyone who is resourceful enough can successfully track TextNow numbers, provided you put in all your personal data.
However, for the most part, if you have your privacy in mind, interested parties can track your number.
They will be able to determine the registered name associated with the number. You should be fine if you don’t put in your real name.
How can your TextNow number be tracked:
- Search for the number on the TextNow app.
- Find the registered name of the owner of the number.
- You can also search for the number online or on social media.
- You will have the owner’s information if the number is on the internet.
Note: Your registration information matters, so you want to determine how much of your personal data you want out there.
Can Law Enforcement Track TextNow Numbers
As long as they’re determined and resourceful enough, anyone can get to know more about you from your TextNow number.
Law enforcement, like the police, is a different story. They do have access to additional information about your number and account.
They can request more sensitive personal information if you suspect that you’re using your TextNow number for illegal activities.
With these, they’ll be able to possibly locate you and determine your real name by cross-referencing your data with others that are available online.
What are the data that law enforcement has access to:
- TextNow can provide them with your registered address.
- TextNow can tell them the IP addresses you used with the app.
- Law enforcement can ask for other information related to your number.
Note: They will also have access to call logs and messages if they determine that you’re using TextNow for illegal purposes.
Can You Track TextNow Numbers
If you’re not law enforcement or someone who has access to advanced tools, you can still track TextNow numbers.
There are several instances when you want to know exactly who you’re talking to.
The good news is that there is an easy way to track TextNow numbers which will provide you with the basic information related to it.
It will then be up to you if you want to delve further. There are websites that offer reverse lookup tools that can provide you with more information like email, name, address, and a lot more.
How to track TextNow numbers using the reverse lookup method:
- Go to iStaunch.com.
- Search for the TextNow Number Lookup.
- Scroll down until you get to the Number Lookup section.
- Enter the number, and select the Submit button.
- Check the results page for the information you’re looking for.
Can You Stop Users from Tracking You on TextNow
Since the tracking tools are public, there’s really no way to stop people from tracking you.
There are also quite a few TextNow Number Lookup websites, so you won’t be able to control how people use these.
You can do a few things, though, so you can remain anonymous on the TextNow platform. The key here is not to provide your real information, including your email, when you sign up.
The solution to improve your privacy on TextNow is to get a second account, which TextNow allows.
Here’s how to get an additional phone number on TextNow:
- Create a new account on TextNow.
- Use an email address that’s not linked directly to your identity.
- Don’t use your real first and last name on the registration.
- Don’t use your real address as you create this new account.
Note: You can only use one number per account, so you’ll need to switch accounts whenever you want to use this new one.
How Can You Be Traced Through Your TextNow Number
A reverse number lookup is just the first step that you can get traced using your TextNow number. It really depends on the information that the lookup can get.
It’s naturally going to display the name and email address associated with your TextNow number. It really depends on the information you put in when you register.
Depending on the information returned by the lookup, someone can dive in a little deeper and know more about you.
Here is the information that can be used to track you from your TextNow Number.
- Your first name
- Your last name
- Email address linked to your account
- Your saved address and location information
Note: For someone with more experience gathering data, they can also get the IP address allowing them to track you more accurately.
If you think you’re safe and anonymous with TextNow, you might want to think again.
Again, it really depends on the determination and resourcefulness of the one trying to track you.
As long as you provide a piece of information, there’s certainly a way to get more out of it.
Contact TextNow customer support if you want additional help in improving your privacy.
Bottom Line
Can TextNow be traced back to your phone? You already know the answer by now.
There are a lot of tools that make it easier for anyone to track your TextNow account.
Not only will they trace it back to your phone, but they can also find out who you are, where you live, and other sensitive data.
Read Next: How to Turn Off Calls on TextNow?
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.