How to Trace a Cell Phone SMS

1. Collect the sender's phone number from your cellular phone. In most cellular phones, this information is clearly visible while you are viewing the text message.
2. Enter the phone number into Google. This is a great way to do a rudimentary trace of a phone number. If the number in question has ever been published on the web or is related to a business, you will uncover that information.
3. Conduct a database search for the phone number. There are many free database look-up services on the Internet, such as Zabasearch.com.
4. Conduct a public records database search. These reports are usually more accurate and detailed, but will cost you some money for the report. Examples of these services are Accurint, US Search and LexisNexis.

How to Track Messages on Other Cell Phones

1. Select a mobile phone spy software. Phone Stealth, Mobile Spy and FlexiSpy are the three most popular software programs on the market today. These will not only allow you to track and read text messages, but you can also listen to conversations, keep track of calls and follow the location of the phone as well. As of 2010 these programs cost anywhere between $19.97 a month to $300 for the year, depending on what your needs are.
2. Download and install the program. Although each setup will be slightly different depending on which program you have chosen, the basics are still the same. You will need to have physical possession of the target phone and use it to log on to the Internet. After you purchase the software you will receive a download link. Go to that link and download the software to the phone and begin the installation process. Input the key code given to you when you sign up for the service. After you've entered it, you will need to restart the phone.
3. Set up the phone. Go into the menu and tell the program what details you want it to send you. If you want, you can just keep track of text messages, but you can also keep records of the target phone's incoming and outgoing calls and it's GPS location. If you want the program to run in the background invisibly so that the target doesn't know it's there, you will also have to come up with your own secret code to reveal the program once it is hidden.
4. Log in and track the phone activities. Once the software is installed, the target phone will send you its activities regularly, at intervals that you determine. This information is stored on a password-protected website that you can log into from any computer or web-enabled phone.

How to Track a Cell Phone by Satellite

1. Find a GPS application online. Several free applications are available, including Google Maps for Mobile, Instamapper and Buddyway. Any of these will turn your web-enabled cell phone into a tracking device. Once installed your phone will send a signal to a GPS satellite, which will then send the signal back to a receiver that will put your location on a map through the Internet.
2. Get Google Maps for Mobile. This is the most thorough of the three programs mentioned. It not only turns your phone into a tracking device, but a complete navigation system as well. Google Maps for Mobile offers you audible turn-by-turn directions just like the GPS systems that are available for cars. In addition, you can add the service to your Internet browser if you use Google Chrome so that you can track the cell phone whenever you open it up.
3. Try Buddyway. This uses Google Maps as well, but it is a much more basic system. While it does have some navigation features, it is best used for recording your path during a road trip and sharing it with friends. It has a 30-day history so that they can see the course you took and it also has a feature that allows you to add your friends and family members to your maps. That way you can track each other with your GPS phones.
4. Get Instamapper. This is very similar to Buddyway, but provides a bit more data. For example, it gives you the speed that the phone is moving along with the latitude, longitude and altitude. This is a very easy system to use and allows you to toggle back and forth between map view and satellite photo view. You can see a map that is labeled with street names, or you can see the actual satellite images of the area that the phone is in. If you click on 'hybrid,' you will get both satellite images labeled like a map.

How to Download Free Cell Phone Games Using USB Cables

1. Find a website to download free cell phone games to your computer. Some that you might consider using are Hovr.com, MobileRated.com and Zedge.com (see Resources).
2. Register for the site by creating a user name and password, and providing a valid email address.
3. Download the games to your computer by clicking on a game and hitting 'Download.' The game will take 30 to 45 seconds to save to your computer.
4. Buy a USB cable data kit for your cell phone. It may have come with it, but if it didn't you can purchase them online for $15 to $30, as of 2010 (see Resources). This kit will allow your cell phone and computer to communicate with one another.
5. Put the CD-ROM into your computer's drive and it will ask you if you wish to install the software. Click 'Yes' and follow the instructions from the installation wizard. Once it is done, click 'Finish.'
6. Connect the cable to the bottom of your phone and the other end to your computer via the USB port.
7. Turn your computer on. After it is done booting up, Windows will give you a message telling you that new hardware has been found and asking if you would like to install the drivers. Click 'Yes' and 'Have Disk' and then 'Browse.' Navigate to your CD-ROM drive and click 'Next.' Windows will look for the drivers and begin installing them. Once it is done, click 'Finish.'
8. Go to the Start menu and in 'Computer' you will find your cell phone listed as one of your drives.
9. Find the free game that you downloaded for your cell phone and left-click it so that it is highlighted. Drag and drop it to your cell phone icon and wait for the game to copy. You have transferred a game to your cell phone with a USB cable.

How to Send Text Messages as Emails Using Your Computer

1. Learn the special email address domain that the wireless provider requires, such as typing the cell number of a Verizon Wireless phone number into the 'To:' area of your email and adding the extension '@vtext.com' after the cell number for a text-only message. Other leading providers include:AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.netSprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.comT-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.netVisit the website of the wireless provider you are emailing to identify the extension. Use sites such as www.FoneFinder.net to learn who the cellphone provider is of someone you are blindly emailing.
2. Compose the text of your email using an email client, such as Outlook Express or Hotmail. Minimize the size of the text message the phone will receive, considering the potential 160-character limit. Determine how many characters you have used by copying and pasting the text into a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, that will count your letters, characters and spaces for you.
3. Click 'Send.' Verify the email has shown up on the receiving phone and the format it arrived in, such as a complete message, a partial message or a message divided into groups. Use this reference point for future communication to that particular phone.

How to Send a Picture to a Cell Phone from a PC

Using PixDrop
1. Navigate to PixDrop (see link in Resources).
2. Check the box next to the recipient’s mobile carrier, such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T or Sprint.
3. Enter the person’s 10-digit phone number.
4. Click the “Browse” button to the right of the “Upload your picture” field. Navigate through your folders and select your preferred photo.
5. Click the “Send Your Picture Message” button to the send the image.
Using Text4Free
6. Navigate to the Text4Free site (see link in Resources).
7. Enter the recipient’s 10-digit phone number.
8. Click the “Scroll down for the list of providers” drop-down menu and select the person’s phone carrier.
9. Enter a brief message, which will be sent with the image. If you don’t want to include a message, skip to the next step.
10. Click the “Browse” button and upload your preferred image.
11. Enter the displayed CAPTCHA phrase and then click the “Send Message” button to send the picture to the recipient’s phone.
Using TextPort
12. Navigate to TextPort’s Free MMS Picture Messaging page (see link in Resources).
13. Enter the person’s 10-digit cellphone number in the “Send To” field and then enter your email address in the “From” field.
14. Click the “Browse” button to the right of the “File” field and select the picture you want to send.
15. Enter a brief message, which will be attached to the picture message. If you don’t want to add a message, continue to the next step.
16. Click the “Send” button to send the picture message.

Rules for Toll Free Numbers Cell Phones

Free to Call
Even though you will be calling the toll-free number from your cell phone, you will not be charged for the call. However, it does use your mobile minutes which you have allotted to you each month via contract, so if you go over your mobile minutes due to the toll-free call, you will be charged by your cell phone provider. It is probably best if you don't call a toll-free number, like a customer service number, from your cell phone but rather a land line, as there is no minute limit on those calls.
Do Not Call Registry
While most cell phone companies block 1-800 numbers from calling their customer's cell phones, there are certain telemarketing companies that find their way around these blocks and call people on their cell phones anyway. This is why it is important for people to individually register their cell phone numbers with the Do Not Call Registry, which is provided in every state and nationally by the Federal Communications Commission. This makes it illegal for telemarketers to contact you for five years after you have registered your cell phone number from their toll-free company numbers.
Toll Free Link to Cell Phone
If you have your own toll-free 1-800 number for your business, you can link it directly to your cell phone so you can answer customer calls at any time and in any place. These toll-free numbers can be set up for a reasonably inexpensive fee per month, with free technical support and the ability to use it easily with any phone. If you set up the link yourself between this toll-free number and your cell phone, there are no rules prohibiting how many times your number can be called. However, be wary of calling others who have cell phones from that number, as it may be blocked or in violation of the national Do Not Call Registry.