Are you unfortunate enough to have lost Android phone, somebody stole it or even worse – got mugged?
A smartphone is one of the most valued and loved items that we possess today because it provides numerous uses and advantages. These include connecting us to social media i.e. Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc. and we browse the web apart from making calls and sending SMSs.
Therefore, even the thought of losing our smartphone seems like a nightmare. If it has happened unluckily; you need to find (lost in home or car) or secure it by locking/erasing all the data on it to avoid going into wrong hands.
But how to find lost phone or secure it?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in this post! Here is a quick overview of what's included:
So, without further ado, let’s get started…
Prerequisites For Locating Or Securing A Lost Android Phone
Important: Some of the following steps work only on Android 8 and later versions. They can vary slightly depending on the edition of the Android OS being used. My phone has Android 8; that’s why all information in this post is based on it.
How to check your Android version
- Open your phone's Settings app
- Tap About Phone near the bottom
- Software Information will tell you the current Android version
It is shown below:
You must configure the following settings on your phone to find, lock or erase it later on. Otherwise, you will keep blaming yourself afterward!
Find My Device Is On
By using the Find My Device service from Google, you can locate or secure your precious asset. So, it’s mandatory to have it enabled on your smartphone. Here is how to do so:
Note: Google uses the Find My Device service to use location data, device information, and connection events so that it can locate your devices and accessories. Device location is approximate and may not always be accurate.
Phone’s Location Is On
You need to make sure that your Android phone’s location can be tracked.
Android Phone Is Visible On Google Play
The phone must be visible on Google Play. Otherwise, it won’t show in Find My Device. Here is how to check it:
Make Sure That You Can Find Your Device
In the above picture, the arrow in the map shows the location of your Android smartphone. Hence, you can tap the device location & then the Directions icon to navigate to your device with the help of Google Maps.
The second arrow shows the details of the phone like Carrier/WiFi network connected, battery remaining, etc.
Now you have made sure to tick all the boxes for finding or securing your smartphone in case you get separated from it.
In the past, I also got deprived of my cell phone, and I didn’t know how to locate or secure it. The result: I wasn’t able to do anything. So, please make sure to have the above settings in place and be prepared for this bad incident.
Keep reading & discover how to find lost phone or secure it…
Locate, Lock Or Erase Your Lost Android Phone
The lost phone must meet the following conditions to become eligible for tracking. It must:
After losing your phone, there are two ways to locate and secure it:
1. Track Phone Through A Web Browser
Follow the steps below to accomplish this method:
The following video will further clarify:
The next method is about using an app from Google Play Store.
2. Locate Or Secure Lost Android Phone Through Mobile App
Google Find My Device app on the Play Store helps to locate or secure your lost Android phone.
Install it on any available Android phone.
Next…
Isn’t it simple and helpful?
Final Words
Your smartphone contains a lot of personal data like contacts, pictures, videos, email & messaging apps, etc. So, you must try to avoid it being misused by anyone. That’s why I wrote this post to help secure your lost Android phone.
Bookmark this post: in case if you get unlucky again!
In a future post, I will cover how data on a lost iPhone can be made inaccessible for anyone who finds or steals it.
Thanks for reading this post and staying with me till the end. Please give comments below to share your opinion, suggestions or ask any questions about this post. I will try to help.
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