Since your phone contains personal information, you should take care of it as best you can. You certainly don't want your phone to be lost, do you? However, the first step you should take when your phone is lost is to report the loss to the nearest authorities. Also, if you have taken a number of precautions, you can track the lost phone.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Locating Phone with Android Device Manager
Step 1. Tap the cog icon on your home screen, app list or notification bar of your phone to access Settings
Step 2. Swipe the screen to find the "Security" option, then tap on it
The device security menu will open.
Step 3. Check if Android Device Manager is enabled
Tap the "Device Administrators" option, then tick "Android Device Manager". If the option is checked, the Android Device Manager feature is active.
- Android Device Manager is a great Android feature that lets you track your device when it's lost. This option is generally enabled by default, but if not, check the box next to it to enable it.
- For Android Device Manager to work, make sure your phone is connected to the internet and your Google account.
Step 4. Track your device
When your device is stolen, visit Android Device Manager on your computer, then sign in to your Google account. Once you are logged in, Android Device Manager will track your device automatically and display the device's current location.
Step 5. Unmute the phone or clear the data on it
From ADM, you can ring your phone by clicking the "Ring" button in the upper-left corner of the screen. This option is useful if you think that the phone is simply tucked away, not stolen.
If your phone is stolen and you want to protect the data on it, erase the data on your phone remotely by clicking "Erase". After receiving this command, the phone will return to factory settings
Method 2 of 4: Locating Phone with Google Maps
Step 1. Visit Google Maps location history from computer
Google Maps provides a Location History feature, which allows you to track your phone's location. This feature is enabled by default on Android phones
Step 2. Sign in to the same Google account as the Google account on the device
Step 3. Show location history
You can view your location history in a number of ways, namely by clicking on a day in the calendar on the left of the screen or selecting a day in the "Show" list.
- For example, if you lost your phone 10 days ago, you can view your phone's location history for 10 days on Google Maps.
- After selecting the day, the map on the right of the screen will show the location of the device since the date you selected. Each location will be marked with a red dot, and its movement will be monitored with a red line.
Step 4. Show the device's current location by clicking "Show Timestamp" under the calendar and selecting the best date from the list
The map will show the location according to the time you selected.
Method 3 of 4: Locating Phone with Lost Android
Step 1. Tap the Android robot icon on the home screen or phone app list to open Lost Android
If you don't have Lost Android installed, download the app from Google Play
Step 2. Install Lost Android remotely to your device
Search for Lost Android on the desktop version of Google Play, then click "Install". Select the device you want to install the app on, then click "OK" to install the app to the lost phone.
Step 3. Activate Lost Android
To activate Lost Android remotely, you must send an SMS containing "androidlost register" to your phone. Lost Android will register your phone automatically based on Google account.
If you don't want to send SMS, install Jumpstart for AndroidLost remotely. This app allows you to skip the registration process
Step 4. Find your phone
Visit the Lost Android site and sign in with the same Google account as your phone.
- Locate the device by clicking "View on map". You will see a map on the screen indicating the location of the phone.
- Even if your phone is indoors, you can still see the exact location of your phone.
Method 4 of 4: Find Phone by IMEI Number
Step 1. Find out the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of the phone
This number is unique and no device will have the same IMEI number. You can find out your phone's IMEI number in several ways.
- If you still have the phone, enter *#06# on the phone. The IMEI number will appear on the screen. Write down the IMEI number and store it in a safe place.
- If you've lost your phone, find the IMEI number on the box or proof of purchase.
Step 2. Report the lost phone to the operator
Call the operator and tell them that your phone has been stolen. When prompted, provide the phone's IMEI number to the carrier.
Step 3. Follow the operator's guide
Depending on your situation, your carrier may be able to track your phone directly, or they may need to call you back.
- Phones can be tracked by IMEI number, even if the thief uses a different SIM card or turns off the phone.|
- If you wish, you can ask your carrier to block your phone so you can no longer use it.
