A German blogger has travelled thousands of kilometres to Senegal in an effort to recover his stolen smartphone, after tracking its location using geolocation technology.

The man, who is from the western German city of Aachen, said his iPhone had been stolen but later discovered through tracking software that it had resurfaced in West Africa more than 5,000 kilometres from his home.

He told his followers on Instagram that he would travel to Senegal to retrieve the device if his post received 10,000 likes. The post quickly gained attention, attracting more than three times the number required and prompting him to follow through on his promise.

He hitchhiked to Brussels before boarding a flight to Dakar, the Senegalese capital, where the phone’s location had been traced.

Once in Senegal, he said he was warned against visiting the neighbourhood where the device was believed to be located, amid concerns about safety. Local police reportedly declined to assist, citing concerns that the geolocation data was not precise enough to justify intervention.

Undeterred, the blogger continued his search with the help of a local resident. He eventually located the phone at an electronics shop.

After a prolonged dispute with the seller, during which he threatened to report the matter to authorities over alleged possession of stolen goods, the blogger said he was able to recover his iPhone.

The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media, highlighting both the reach of smartphone tracking technology and the risks involved in attempting to recover stolen property across international borders.