Finding your lost or stolen Android is easy enough now. For Android, there are many applications that can track a lost device.
The function of finding the missing phone in the anti-virus software is well implemented. With its help, you can not only track the location, but also remotely lock the device, erasing all personal information from it. Let's figure out what tools are there to find a lost or stolen Android phone?
What you need to search for Android
To search for a gadget on Android, the user does not need to install additional programs.All you need to do is make small adjustments in the Android Device Manager. This method will allow you to find out the location of the phone and remotely control the device from any computer (you just need to have a Google account).
Photo: determining the location of the subscriber
Important! Beginning in August 2013, Android Device Manager has been available for ordinary user accounts (previously only business users had access).
In order for the Device Manager feature to appear on a phone or tablet, there is no need to update the OS, since it is tied to the account, and not to the version of the operating system.
Video: Looking for a gadget
Android Device Manager by Google
Android Device Manager is a Google development for Android gadgets. With Device Manager you can:
- determine the coordinates of the location of a stolen or lost smartphone using GPS, GPS and Wi-Fi. You can determine the coordinates of the gadget even if another SIM card is installed on the phone;
Important! To determine the localization of a gadget, it must be connected to the Internet. If the Internet was disconnected, then the location of the phone will be shown based on its last activity.
Important! Deleting data from a memory card may not occur for the following reason that the ROM (internal memory of the gadget), which simulates an SD memory card, has been removed. If a separate memory card is installed on the phone, the information may not be deleted from it.
Android control remotely
You can control Android remotely via the Internet from a web browser. This requires the smartphone or tablet to be linked to a Google account. By default, Device Manager is disabled, so you need to enable this feature.
This will require:
- in the Android settings go to the "Security" tab;
- then select the item "Device Administrators";
Important! If the version of the Android operating system has not been updated, then this item "Device Administrators" is unavailable.
- by clicking on the item "Device Administrators" the user will go to the "Remote Control" tab, where it is necessary to check the box;
- by activating remote control, the user will see what access rights are granted to the application;
- then at the bottom of the window, select the "Activate" item;
Important! Remember that Device Manager determines the location of your device using GSM and GPS data;
Important! If you determine the location of the device using the coordinates of the network, that is, I used Wi-Fi for this, then the data will be the most accurate.
After the performed manipulations in the settings, you can proceed to remotely control the gadget via the web interface.
For remote control via a browser you need:
On the main page, there is an Android Device Manager panel. Using this panel, you can make a call to your phone, customize the lock screen and wipe data, locate and rename the device.
To determine the location of the device, you must:
To rename a device you need:
Phone call
Android remote control can also make a call to the machine. This can be done through the Device Manager panel by selecting the "Call Device" tab. The ringtone will be heard even if the audio signal is set to the minimum volume.
To make a call to the phone, you must:
Removing information
AndroidDeviceManager allows you not only to determine the location of the gadget and call it, but also to delete all confidential information from your smartphone or tablet. You can delete information through the DeviceManager panel in your web browser.
To delete all data from the device, you must:
After activating the function, small changes will occur in the control panel, separate tabs "Lock" and "Clear" will appear;
Photo: the appearance of additional tabs
Talklog - tracking device
Talklog is a program from the developer of the same name that allows you to track the location of the gadget, view SMS messages, listen to incoming and outgoing calls and much more.
Important! The program has a trial period of 12 hours, during which time you can use the full functionality of the program for free.
Program features:
- view incoming and outgoing SMS messages;
- determine the location of the smartphone;
- view data on all calls made;
- log on and off the gadget;
- tracking the installation of any kind of applications.
Program installation:
Important! Talklog works in a hidden mode on the device and has no functional effect on other applications.
How to locate the device:
The program determines the location of the gadget by GPS and GSM. Talklog will help you determine the coordinates of your smartphone, taking into account longitude, latitude, altitude and other parameters. To determine the location you need:
This article has looked at ways to locate a lost or stolen Android device.
Is it possible to find the lost android - an important question, so here the methods are analyzed in detail and instructions are given on how to find a lost android phone or tablet.
In the article we will analyze how to find an android phone or tablet if you have already lost it and how to pre-configure an android device to increase the chances and simplify the search in case of possible loss.
The instructions will be reviewed based on the Avast antivirus, if you chose another - it's okay, all the steps are done in almost the same way. After installing the antivirus, be sure to go to the settings (press the functions, select the Settings) and put a check mark on the Pin-code protection (enter your pin, which must be remembered) and another check on the Protection against deletion - if the attacker sees the antivirus - no pin-code it will not be able to delete it, so we will have more time to search.
After installing the antivirus, go to avast! Anti-Theft and you will be prompted to install the application we need from Play Market.
In addition to installing the application itself, you need to spend a little time and use the instructions below to configure the operation of this program.
We will configure the android so that an attacker or a person who finds the phone cannot perform any actions with the phone or tablet (delete, reboot, etc.)
Now you need to create an avast account. To do this, go through the browser to the site id.avast.com and press Create account now, enter your email and come up with a password.
Now launch the installed avast! Anti-Theft:
- Enter the name
- PIN code for accessing functions (without knowing the PIN, an attacker will not be able to change the application settings).
- Enter the phone number to which you will receive a message about changing the SIM card with a new number.
- Click the account setting, enter the account, enter the phone number and password
We have linked the account to our android device
All actions that you can perform with your phone after theft occur on the avast.com website in your account. More details about these actions will be written after setting up the application..
Configuring the avast! Anti-Theft in an android device
We go to the point Advanced settings and set up protection against theft by points:
1. Protective actions - what the phone will do if you put it into mode "Lost"... You need to check the boxes opposite the following items:
- block phone - in case of loss, the phone is blocked, further actions only after entering the pin code;
- alarm - it may not be worth enabling this function, as this will greatly attract the attention of the thief, and he will want to pull out the battery;
- without access to phone settings - access to phone settings and, accordingly, to uninstall applications is blocked (but you can still restart the phone and access the uninstallation, so read on);
- low battery notification.
2. Text lock, GPS, erase
Enter text, which will be displayed on the unlock screen if the device is entered into the "Lost" mode, for example, "Return for a reward and phone number."
Device administrator
In the parameters, put a tick in front of avast! Anti-Theft - then in Lost Mode an attacker cannot even turn off an android devicewithout removing the battery.
Now your android device is as secure as possible!
How to find your lost android phone or tablet
Internet on your lost android turned on
You will find out after sending any request from the site. If they write you that you cannot send a request to the device, then the Internet is turned off, then read the next paragraph.
We go from any device, including a PC to the avast.com website in the account. Go to the My devices tab, click View data, in the Select command column, do the following:
1. We need to find out where the phone is
To do this, select the "Find" item - a request is sent to search for a device. Click on the icon in the Actions column (screenshot) and in the window that opens, select the Position on the map.
2. "Call" - we can secretly call from a lost device and hear what is happening around. The call is only displayed on the notification screen.
3. "Lost" - all the actions that we configured on the android take place, namely:
phone blocked without the possibility of rebooting and further use
if the alarm is turned on, the phone starts "shout" and it cannot be turned off without removing the battery (if possible) or until it is discharged
Here are the most effective actions, the rest you can start at your will or situation by selecting the appropriate command in the tab (for example, see the last calls or SMS, erase all data, etc.)
Lost android internet is off
In this case, we use SMS requests.
After changing the SIM card to the numbers that you added to paragraph Friends SMS will come with the phone number of the new SIM card. To this number you send special sMS requests, after which the android will perform the appropriate actions.
SMS must be sent from the numbers that you added in Friends
All commands in the form: Pin-code space "command". Take PIN 12345 as an example:
12345 LOST - marks the phone as lost
12345 FOUND - marks the phone as found
12345 LOCK - locks the phone
12345 UNLOCK - unlocks the device
12345 SIREN ON - turns on the siren
12345 SIREN OFF - turns off the siren
12345 LOCATE - detects device
12345 LOCATE 5 - detects device every 5 minutes
12345 LOCATE STOP - stop tracking
Actions that will occur after requests are identical to those described in the previous paragraph.
These are the main requests we need. If you need additional ones (last sms, calls, make a call, etc.), write in the comments.
- Leave always connected internet to access these features in case of phone theft
- Put
- Do
So, we have sorted it out how to find a lost android phone or tablet with and without software preconfiguration. By the way, you can also take out theft insurance along with the purchase of a new device.
It took 3 days to check all the actions and write the article, and as a rule, even people who pay $ 200 for setting up in the store (as well as those who do it :)) do not possess such information, so we will be very grateful if you tell about this article to your friends. This can be done using the social media buttons below the article. Be sure they will thank you for this information.
Let's consider how to find a phone through Google account in a few minutes.
For such cases, the company created the Find My Phone service, with which you can quickly find out the location of your smartphone.
Let's consider in more detail what you need to work with the site and how.
Content:
Today, theft or even short-term loss of a gadget has serious consequences. Many people store all their personal data, phone numbers, passwords, important correspondence and photos in it.
In addition, a stranger with Android in his hands can reset the lock password quickly enough.
With the help of the resource, users can track all smartphones linked to their account, view their position on the map and even influence their work.
What does it take to track successfully?
Before proceeding to the search procedure, you should pay attention to what conditions must be met.
First of all, in order to remotely detect a smartphone, a number of functions must be activated on it:
- Connection to Device Manager service;
- GPS module;
- Internet connection (2G, 3G or Wi-Fi networks).
There is no need to install third-party applications, but you must check the correctness.
Follow the instructions to connect Device Manager:
- Go to the main menu;
- Now click on the "Google Settings" item - do not confuse it with the usual settings. The application is standard and is installed on all Android;
- In the window that opens, select the "Services" tab, and then click on the Android Device Manager. So you can allow the remote resource to access information for blocking or deletion;
- Activate the "Remotely Locate Device" slider. Also, enable remote memory wipe.
For the site to work, you will also need to activate the localization detection services. This can be done as follows:
- Go to settings;
- Will open a tab "Locating" and in the window that opens, put a checkmark in front of the card work item;
- Open the tab Location Access and enable the function of regularly receiving information about the location of the device. To do this, just activate the corresponding slider.
You only need to complete the above steps once to use Find your device anywhere in the world smoothly.
Please note that the ability to find a device is available only for gadgets with firmware version 2.2 and higher. Older Android gadgets will appear in your account, but you won't be able to connect to them.
Tracking
Your efforts will be successful if all of the above requirements and settings are met. To search for a smartphone, go link and follow these steps:
- Go through authorization using your original account;
- Browse the list of available devices (upper left part of the window) and click on the desired name;
- Wait for the transition to the Find page of the gadget and click on the arrow to update the information;
- The service will automatically determine and indicate a point on the map.
You can call your smartphone - the gadget will start beeping for 5 minutes. During this time, you will be able to determine its location if the map indicates that it is somewhere nearby.
Allows you to restrict access to its content. This will keep your data safe from potential intruders.
Function "Erase data" allows you to get rid of all content. Use it if you can't find your phone, but don't want your files to fall into the hands of strangers.
How to find Samsung
If you are a user of the line, in addition to the standard search service from Google, you can also use the third-party Find My Mobile service.
This resource is also linked to the account information, thus creating an account in the Samsung system. This action is performed automatically during the page anchor step.
Basically, it works exactly the same as its Google counterpart, only it is a more advanced version of the online assistant. The location data is first read from Google.
Also, users can block it.
With this function, you can increase the chances of returning the gadget, because the person who found it will not be able to unlock it, and by calling it from a trusted phone, you can agree on the return of the item.
To do this, follow the instructions:
- Go to the site and log in with your Google login and password. If you changed your login on the network at the stage of linking your account, enter other input;
- After successful authorization, a window for tracking all devices will appear. To select a gadget, click on it at the top left of the web page;
- Now in the main menu click on the item "Locate My Phone";
- Wait for the map to load and on top of it click on "Locate mobile" and on "Start Tracking";
- After a few seconds, a mark will appear on the map about the estimated location of the device.
Other service functions:
- Send a message or call;
- Locating by sound... If you lost your phone at home, click on the "Ring My Phone" button for the gadget to start beeping;
- Data cleansing - with this function you can quickly clear your smartphone of all user information. No one will be able to use your correspondence, photos, notes and other information;
- Blocking - installation of an access key to a smartphone at a remote distance.
A feature of the extended service from Samsung is not only work with all data, but also the ability to track the movement of the gadget in real time (information is automatically updated every 15 minutes).
Remember! You can also find your Samsung device using the standard method from Google, so do not be discouraged if for some reason the service cannot find your gadget.
Outcome
Remember, the search should start as early as possible.
This will increase the likelihood that no one has found the item yet, and you can safely pick it up when you reach a certain location.
Also, you should remember about the error of maps on the territory of the CIS. If you came to the point indicated on the map and did not find anything, look around.
As a rule, in reality, a smartphone is often located within 5-10 meters from the mark indicated in Google.
Thematic videos:
Statistics say that about 80% of smartphone owners around the world asked this question. If you are one of them, we will tell you what you can do in such a situation. Those lucky ones who have never experienced this will also find it useful to learn how to prepare a mobile device in case it is lost or stolen.
If you have an Android, iOS or Windows Phone device, the first thing you should do if you lose it is to use the services of Google, Apple and Microsoft to find your gadgets. All three companies offer their own solutions, which, in their essence, do not differ from each other, but have some nuances. And first of all, it is necessary to take into account three rules, under which the search for a phone will be effective:
- the device is signed in to your account, depending on the operating system used: Google (Android), iCloud (iOS, watchOS, macOS), Microsoft (Windows Phone, Windows 10 Mobile);
- the device is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi;
- geolocation services (GPS) included.
How to find an Android phone or tablet
The simplest tool from Google to find a smartphone or tablet is called Android Remote Control ... Today, almost all modern devices on Android 4.4 and higher have a pre-installed service of this service in the system. But just in case, we recommend that you make sure that this service is enabled on your device, since quite often it can be disabled by default.
In case of loss of the device, you must go to the service page and re-enter the data from your account. Once you've signed in to your account, the search page will load and Google will immediately try to locate your phone. If you have multiple devices, select the one you need from the drop-down list. On the Android device manager page, you can do the following:
Call the phone.
When you perform this action, a command is sent to the mobile device, which makes it ring at maximum volume for 5 minutes, even if the silent mode is enabled. This feature can be useful if you have lost your smartphone somewhere close to where you are.
Lock your phone.
This option allows you to lock your phone with a password and add an arbitrary message with a phone number that you can call directly from the lock screen.
Delete data.
The ultimate and final security function, after which contact with the lost phone completely disappears. You can act in this way only in exceptional cases, and also if you are sure that you will not find it already. By deleting data, you can do a complete erasure of data by formatting the memory card.
Google recently updated its Android Remote Control service to enable users to track their gadgets right in search results. This means you can quickly locate any Android device registered to your account using search phrases: "Where is my phone", "How to find a smartphone" and other variations. When requested, Google will display a snippet of the map above the search results and try to find your phone. From here you can go to the appropriate section of the security settings, where you will receive recommendations for taking step-by-step actions in case you lose your phone.
The Android Remote Control service is good because it can be used not only on a computer with Internet access, but also on any other mobile device. In case you want to track your gadget from someone else's smartphone or tablet, you will need to log out of its owner's account and log into your account. But this is not always convenient, so there is another option - which allows you to use guest mode. The app works the same way, all instructions above apply here too.
How to find your iPhone or iPad
A similar service from Apple "Find iPhone", despite its name, is designed to find a wider range of devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch and Mac. Find My iPhone first appeared in iOS 5.0 as a standalone application, and later became part of the iCloud cloud service functionality. In order for the service to recognize your device and be able to detect it, the first step is to enable this service directly on your gadget. To do this, go to Settings\u003e iCloudand move the slider to the "ON" position opposite the "Find iPhone" option. At the same time, we allow the service to use the location of your device.
After the performed operations, we log in to iCloud via the web interface and launch "Find iPhone". In the app, you can locate the device on a map, play a signal on it, use Lost Mode to lock and track, and remotely clear data completely.
We should also dwell on the "loss mode". This mode (available on iOS 6 and higher) locks the lost device with a password and displays a message on its screen along with a phone number. It's worth praising Apple here for a cleverly thought-out feature that can force geolocation. Also, in this mode, the device does not display alerts and does not play ringing tones, messages, notifications and alarms.
Another useful option is that the Find iPhone service can send email notifications in case a missing device is “spotted” on the network.
Like Google, you can also track your iPhone using the app of the same name installed on another device.
How to find a smartphone on Windows Phone
Owners of devices running Windows Phone 8.1 and higher were also lucky enough to use Microsoft's service to search and remotely control their smartphone. Previously, the "Find phone" function was available on the website windowsphone.com... Now, after the release of Windows 10 and the unification of the main services for desktop and mobile devices, the function is available in your personal account after authorization on the Microsoft website.
So, pre-activate all the options in the "phone search" section in the settings of your mobile device.
On any computer, go to your Microsoft account and go to the "Your devices" section. All desktop and mobile gadgets with Windows 8.1+ and Windows Phone 8.1+ operating systems installed with Microsoft account are located here. In front of your smartphone, you will see an active option for locating. Then you can act according to the already known algorithm: call the phone, block and clear the data.
Google maps
Location history can also play into your hands when searching for your smartphone. Using this method, you can easily find your mobile device even if the location is not accurate. Thus, there is a high probability of tracking the trajectory and determining the places where your smartphone or tablet is located. Before using this method, you must enable the recording of your location history in the Google settings on your mobile device.
Now let's go directly to viewing the location history:
Using timestamps, you will see the places where your smartphone has been registered multiple times. You can easily track whether your phone "travels" or stays in one place.
Unlike Android Remote Control, Google Maps uses Wi-Fi and Cell Tower ID to locate your location, so accuracy may vary slightly. But the advantage of this tool is that you can monitor the location of the device over a period of time. This method works for all mobile devices on which you are logged into your Google account.
Google Photos and other cloud services
It turns out that services with the automatic uploading of photos and videos to the cloud enabled can also be used to find a phone. Anyone who uses your lost (or stolen) phone may not even know that all the photos end up in your cloud storage. In this case, you will not get its exact location, but there is a high probability of seeing the "new owner" of your smartphone. Such a curious incident happened to one blogger whose phone was stolen. The thief had no idea that he became an "Internet star" when the blogger published a series of articles with his photographs entitled "The Life of the Stranger Who Stole My Phone." This method can help identify the area and the person involved in the theft of the smartphone.Possible difficulties
As mentioned above, for the effective operation of phone tracking services, several conditions must be met. In addition, the device itself must be prepared accordingly. Of course, other reasons can cause difficulties in searching. This may be the specificity of the firmware, for example, some Chinese phones lack Google services or work incorrectly.Another commonplace obstacle is two-factor authentication for your Google, iCloud and Microsoft account, which will require you to enter a six-digit code for authorization. In this case, you can advise in advance to add a backup phone number to which you have access or provide for other additional methods of authorization confirmation. For example, Google offers fallback codes as an option for the second stage of two-factor authentication. They can be saved or printed and always at hand.
