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:
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Open Microsoft account online.
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Sign in as required.
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Click on the Family tab.
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Click the Add a family member link.
Microsoft account add family member -
Select the Child option.
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Type the email address of the person you want to add.
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Confirm you’re not a robot solving challenge.
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Click the Send invite button.
Creating a child account on your Microsoft account -
Check the new member’s Outlook account.
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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:
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Open the Google Play Store on the Android phone.
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Search for Microsoft Launcher and tap the top result. (You can also use this link to get the app from the Play Store.)
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Tap the Install button.
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Continue with the on-screen directions.
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Tap the Open button.
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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.
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:
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Open Microsoft account online.
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Sign in as required.
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Click on the Family tab.
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Under child’s account name, click the More options drop-down menu.
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Click the Find on a map option.
Microsoft account find child phone on a map option -
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
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.
This is a specific feature for the Microsoft Launcher, as such it’s not available for iOS.