How to find your lost Android phone
Pocket check failed? Don't panic. Here's how to quickly hunt down your missing Android.
⚡️Fast fix
- Locate your device using android.com/find.
- Use the Find Hub app on another Android device to locate your phone.
- Got to the Samsung SmartThings website to locate a Samsung Galaxy.
Your Android™ phone is always by your side, tucked neatly in your bag. But after a day of errands, you can't find it anywhere. You've checked your car, kitchen, and bedroom with no luck. It's vanished, and you're not sure what to do or whether there's a Find My Android solution you can turn to.
Asurion Experts keep your favorite tech devices running smoothly. Whether you're wondering how to share your location or how to turn Find My Device on or off, we have an answer. Use these tips to locate your Android phone when it's lost.
Use Google Find My Device to track your phone
How can you track your Android phone? One option is Find My Device or Find Hub. This web-based tool and mobile app shows you the most recent whereabouts of your device. It also has security features that protect your data.
Take these steps to try it:
- Navigate to android.com/find on a web browser or use the Find Hub app on another Android device.
- Sign in to the Google account connected to your phone.
- Select your phone from the list of devices.
- Enter your phone's lock screen PIN if prompted. If there is no PIN, Find Hub may request the Google password linked to your phone.
- Wait for the map to display your phone's current or last known location.
- Select an action:
- Play sound: Emits a loud sound for five minutes, even if your phone is on silent. This is useful if your phone is nearby.
- Mark as lost: Allows you to create a password that locks your phone and displays a message. Sharing your contact information in the message allows anyone who finds it to notify you.
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Secure your data if the phone is lost
If you believe your phone was stolen, you can factory reset it. This option deletes all your personal information, including apps, texts, payment information, and contacts. To factory reset the Android phone remotely, take these steps:
- Go to android.com/find in a web browser or open the Find Hub app on another Android device.
- Sign in to the Google account connected to your phone.
- Select your phone from the list of devices.
- Select Settings > Factory reset {device name}.
After erasing the phone, it will no longer be accessible through Find Hub or Find My Device.
Locate a Samsung Galaxy with SmartThings Find
If you own a Samsung Galaxy® phone, you can locate your lost phone using the SmartThings app or website. It offers similar features to Google Find Hub, such as options to play a sound, remotely lock your device, or delete data.
The SmartThings Find tool takes things a step further. This feature within the SmartThings app can locate a Samsung Galaxy that's offline by leveraging signals from other Galaxy devices within range.
Using SmartThings Find
Take these steps to locate your device using the SmartThings Find website:
- Navigate to smartthingsfind.samsung.com in a web browser and sign in to your account.
- Select your device from the list.
- Click one of the following:
- Track location: View your phone's current or most recent location.
- Extend: Remotely put your phone into Maximum power saving mode to conserve its battery.
- Ring: Make the phone emit a ringtone, even if it's muted.
- Lock: Remotely lock your device with a secure password and an optional display message.
- Erase data: Delete all personal information from the device. Also erases data on SD cards.
- Follow the prompts to complete the action.
Offline finding only works if you enabled it on your Samsung Galaxy before losing your device. It updates offline locations every 30 minutes.
What to do if your phone is offline or powered off
By default, Android phones have location sharing enabled when you create an account for your device. However, the settings are customizable. If you've disabled Google Location Service™, the Find My Hub, or Samsung® location remote controls, your device's whereabouts may not be accessible.
Tracking services work best when your phone is turned on and connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. But if your phone is off or disconnected from a network, the Google Find Hub can still locate it for several hours after its initial disconnection. And if you have a Samsung Galaxy that's set up for offline finding, you can use Samsung SmartThings Find to view the approximate location of your phone, even when it's disconnected from a network.
Losing your phone can happen when you least expect it. To prepare for a future loss, set up Google Find Hub or Samsung SmartThings now. That way, you'll be ready to track your device if it's lost or stolen.
Tried these steps and still need help? We got you. Get your tech problem solved when you call or chat with an expert now.
FAQ
What do I do if my phone is turned off?
Yes, it’s possible to locate a turned-off Android phone—but only under certain conditions. If your device supports the latest tracking technology (like the Google Pixel™ 8) and has the Find Hub feature turned on (also known as Find My Device on earlier Android versions), it is still possible to find it. This only works if the feature was enabled ahead of time.
Can I find my phone without the Find Hub app?
Yes. Just go to android.com/find and sign into your Google account.
Will this work if my phone is on silent?
Yes. You can make it ring at full volume, even if it’s in silent mode.
What if I didn’t enable Allow device to be located?
Unfortunately, these tools must be turned on ahead of time. You can still try calling your phone or checking with nearby locations.
Can I use this to find a lost tablet too?
Yes. As long as the tablet is linked to a Google account and Find Hub (or Find My Device on earlier versions) is turned on, you can track it the same way.
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