Can smartphones be tracked when powered down?

[TheNiceGuy]

I’m particularly interested in areas of the world that don’t have the same privacy rights as the west. I imagine it’s very easy for the government to do this when it’s powered on, but not sure if it’s technically possible if it’s been powered off. I have an iPhone 8+ if it matters.

 

[UsandThem]

A. What are you planning to do?

B. I think from what I have seen watching crime documentaries like The First 48, 20/20, etc, when the phone is powered off, there's no way to track a person.

But honestly I wouldn't be surprised if an agencies like the NSA, CIA, or FBI found a way to do so (just like they have with smart TVs even when they're off). On a related note, I would never have a listening device like Alexa devices sitting around in our house, but the younger generation (like my teenagers) love using their voice to control everything like their phones, Xbox One consoles, and speakers.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...ust-how-risky-smart-tv-phone-fridge/98865598/

 

[paperfist]

A. What are you planning to do.

B. I think from what I have seen watching crime documentaries like The First 48, 20/20, etc, when the phone is powered off, there's no way to track a person.

But honestly I wouldn't be surprised if an agencies like the NSA, CIA, or FBI found a way to do so (just like they have with smart TVs even when they're off). On a related note, I would never have a listening device like Alexa devices sitting around in our house, but the younger generation (like my teenagers) love using their voice to control everything like their phones, Xbox One consoles, and speakers.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...ust-how-risky-smart-tv-phone-fridge/98865598/

So TVs are in standby mode when powered off? I wasn’t aware they were being used as listening devices. Nice!

 

[shortylickens]

No.

Well, not YET.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

How about if the device is in “airplane mode” or what have you?
Additionally, in either power off or airplane mode, if the device itself was analyzed afterwards, could it be determined where it had been during that time?

 

[luv2liv]

you sure you wanna trust an online forum instead of asking the CIA directly?
my best answer is to pull the battery out. and this is one of the reason i still have phones with yank-able batteries.

 

[WelshBloke]

How about if the device is in “airplane mode” or what have you?
Additionally, in either power off or airplane mode, if the device itself was analyzed afterwards, could it be determined where it had been during that time?

Youre still pinging cell towers in aircraft mode so I presume your position can be tracked pretty accurately from that.

 

[WelshBloke]

Plus I wouldn't say the West has that good privacy rights.(at least ones that are respected anyway!)

 

[13Gigatons]

You should just make the assumption that the FBI, CIA, ATF, NSA are pretty much tracking everyone with a smart phone.

I saw a TV show that had the NSA recording lawyers talking even though their phones were off and another guy would wrap his in a towel and place it in the microwave.

 

[WelshBloke]

You should just make the assumption that the FBI, CIA, ATF, NSA are pretty much tracking everyone with a smart phone.

I saw a TV show that had the NSA recording lawyers talking even though their phones were off and another guy would wrap his in a towel and place it in the microwave.

You could do that with a hacked phone that plays possum when you turn it off. Recording and transmitting sound doesn't happen with a phone turned off. We'd have super battery life if someone worked out how to do that!

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Plus I wouldn't say the West has that good privacy rights.(at least ones that are respected anyway!)

You have clearly never been to China.

 

[bononos]

I’m particularly interested in areas of the world that don’t have the same privacy rights as the west. I imagine it’s very easy for the government to do this when it’s powered on, but not sure if it’s technically possible if it’s been powered off. I have an iPhone 8+ if it matters.

Yes the phone is dead when its turned off, can't imagine how its going to be tracked.

Youre still pinging cell towers in aircraft mode so I presume your position can be tracked pretty accurately from that.

I don't think thats right. Do you have a source for that?

 

[Raduque]

I don't think thats right. Do you have a source for that?

I think even in airplane mode you still have to be able to dial 911. Which means it is still pinging towers, or at least it will if you dial an emergency number.

 

[bononos]

I think even in airplane mode you still have to be able to dial 911. Which means it is still pinging towers, or at least it will if you dial an emergency number.

Thats because the phone is taken out of airplane mode automatically by Android/IOS to be able to make a call.

 

[ericlp]

The only way to be sure would be to remove the battery...

 

[ElFenix]

airplane mode just means TX has to be off. it can still listen.

 

[jitendrad]

Nope..!

 

[ericlp]

posted by mistake