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How parents can use Microsoft Launcher to track their kids location

Microsoft adds the ability for parents to keeps tabs of their children location on its Launcher app for Android, and here's how you can set it up.

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By Mauro Huculak (@Pureinfotech) , Windows How-To Expert and IT Specialist with 21 years of experience.
May 22, 2018
2018-06-04T08:33:34-04:00
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Microsoft Launcher option for parents to track kids location
Microsoft Launcher option for parents to track kids location
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Microsoft Launcher is an app that can replace the default launcher on Android devices, which offers a bunch of customization options to change the look and feel of the home screen and many other tweaks.

Starting with version 4.10 and later, Microsoft Launcher is adding a very useful feature that allows parents to quickly find out their children location and app activities on their Android phones.

The new feature is part of the family experience of the Microsoft account, which means that in order to work, you must add the young person as a child family member, and you need to install the Microsoft Launcher on their Android phones.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to track down your children location using Microsoft Launcher.

How to use Microsoft Launcher location tracking feature

To check the location of your kids using the Microsoft Launcher feature, you need to add a new child account to your account, install Microsoft Launcher on your kid’s Android phone, and enable tracking on your Microsoft account.

Adding a family member using Child account

In order to add someone as a family member using a Child account, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft account online.

  2. Sign in as required.

  3. Click on the Family tab.

  4. Click the Add a family member link.

    Microsoft account add family member
    Microsoft account add family member
  5. Select the Child option.

  6. Type the email address of the person you want to add.

  7. Confirm you’re not a robot solving challenge.

  8. Click the Send invite button.

    Creating a child account on your Microsoft account
    Creating a child account on your Microsoft account
  9. Check the new member’s Outlook account.

  10. Confirm the email invitation.

After completing the steps, you’ll need to install and set up Microsoft Launcher on your child’s Android phone.

Installing Microsoft Launcher

In order to install Microsoft Launcher on an Android phone, use these steps:

  1. Open the Google Play Store on the Android phone.

  2. Search for Microsoft Launcher and tap the top result. (You can also use this link to get the app from the Play Store.)

  3. Tap the Install button.

  4. Continue with the on-screen directions.

  5. Tap the Open button.

  6. Continue with the on-screen directions and sign-in with the child account that you previously added to the family experience on your Microsoft account.

If you’re not given the option to sign-in, open the Microsoft Launcher settings by pressing and holding the home screen and tap on Launcher Settings. Tap in the Microsoft logo, tap the Sign in button, and complete the setup.

Microsoft Launcher sign-in options
Microsoft Launcher sign-in options

Once you’ve completed the steps, you can start tracking location and apps activities on your child’s Android phone.

Tracking location

To find out the location of the young family member, follow these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft account online.

  2. Sign in as required.

  3. Click on the Family tab.

  4. Under child’s account name, click the More options drop-down menu.

  5. Click the Find on a map option.

    Microsoft account find child phone on a map option
    Microsoft account find child phone on a map option
  6. If this is the first time tracking their location, turn on the See my child’s location on a map toggle button.

    Microsoft account find child location using Microsoft Launcher app
    Microsoft account find child location using Microsoft Launcher app

After completing the steps, wait a few minutes and then refresh the website; the location will be marked on the map.

If you’re also using the Microsoft Launcher on your phone, you can always check out the Family widget to check the last known location of your family member.

Microsoft Launcher Family widget
Microsoft Launcher Family widget

This is a specific feature for the Microsoft Launcher, as such it’s not available for iOS.

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About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.

Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.

Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.

You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].

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