If you’re currently Googling “how to find my lost Android phone,” it’s likely that you’re already in a precarious position where any delay could be your last straw. Have Android’s Find My Device feature enabled on your smartphone? Then you can jump right to the end of the article to see how to locate the lost device using a secondary gadget.
If you’re only looking into how to track a lost phone with Google services as a precaution in case it happens to you someday, then we’re proud of your foresight and preparation for all outcomes. In order to make it easier for you to recover a lost Android phone, it is important that you take all the precautions necessary to protect and prepare your device. Not sure what these steps are? We’re here to prepare you with a quick lesson on how to find a missing Android phone.
How to Find a Lost Android—Everything You Need to Know
Losing a smartphone, even if it’s within our house, can be extremely stressful as these devices act like a lifeline between us and much of the modern world. Sure they are replaceable, but these gadgets are pricey and contain all of our personal data on them 24/7.
Losing a phone can have dire consequences, which is why it’s important to know how to locate an Android device that you may have misplaced, so you can act fast in an emergency. Android phones with OS 6 and above can make the most of the Find My Device app, while the “Find My Device network requires Android phones with OS 9 and above,” according to Google.
Before you learn how to locate an Android device, let’s understand some precautions to keep in mind.
Password-Protect Your Device
A PIN or a pattern is usually safer than using face recognition. Set up a secure password and be wary of using it in public to limit how many people see the code.
Keep Your Device Location On to Make It Easier to Locate
Tracking your device is easier when you permit Google to track it. As unfortunate as that is, it is a useful precaution for tracking a lost phone with Google. Go to your Settings, find the Location option, and turn it on.
Turn On the Find My Mobile Setting on Your Android Phone
Enabling the Find My Device setting is an essential part of tracking your lost phone with Google. Go to your “Settings” page, find the “Security and Privacy” section, and turn on the option to find your device. You might have to take an extra step and look for the Lost Device protection settings to turn the feature on with Samsung devices
Add Contact Details on Your Lock Screen
Alternate contact information on your screen might encourage a finder to return it. On a Galaxy phone, you can go to your “Settings,” click on the “Edit Lock Screen” option, and find the “+Contact Information” section to add another phone number or email to your lock screen.
Download the Find My Device App
To make it easier to find your lost device, go to the Play Store and download the Find My Device app for Android. This will make it easier to keep track of all your connected devices that have a tracker tag attached. If you have the app on your tablet or a secondary phone, you can use it more easily to locate your missing phone.
Familiarize Yourself with the App and Website
Downloading an app is not enough as you don’t want to wait till the moment when the phone is lost to try and understand how the app and website work. Check both platforms to understand the layout and components, and ensure that your device is visible on the map.
How to Find My Lost Android?
To locate an Android device, you can either use the Android Find My Device app on a secondary device that has been linked or go to the android.com/find website to start searching for your phone.
On the website, you’ll have to:
- Sign in to the same Google account that is linked to the missing Android device
- Check the location of the device on the map on your screen
- Even if it is offline, Google should be able to trace it. Pixel 8 series phones should be locatable even when turned off
- If the device appears to be within your vicinity, you can activate a ringing tone to help you locate it
- If your device is stolen and moving away from you, use the “Secure device” function to lock the device. It is also possible to add a message or phone number to the screen so anyone who finds it, knows to contact you
- You can also erase the device with your password authentication system to ensure the offender cannot access your data. Use resetting your device as a last resort
- Do not try to retrieve your stolen device by yourself as this can be very dangerous for you. Contact local authorities and give them the information you have at your disposal
So did you find your lost Android phone? Hopefully, with these steps complete, you will be able to track your lost phone with Google and retrieve it from where it was left behind. If you have an iOS phone, we have a guide to track down that device as well, so don’t forget to take a look.
There are a few other ways to recover a lost Android or iOS phone so if you want to know more about the process, let us know. Stay subscribed to Technowize for more information or the latest tools and resources that promise to simplify your life, so you never have to struggle with technology again.