How To Find a Lost Smartphone

By Tracey Dowdy

How many phone numbers do you know? I bet a lot fewer than you did 10 years ago, since they’re all stored in your Contacts and you don’t have to remember them. When was the last time you went inside a bank? I bet that’s been awhile too, since most of us now bank online. In fact, the list of what we don’t use our phones for is probably shorter.

But what happens if you lose your phone? With so much personal information accessible to whoever finds it – never mind the expense of replacing it – it’s important to find that phone as soon as possible.

Fortunately, smartphone providers are people who have probably also lost one or two things in their day, so they recognize the importance of finding your phone quickly and easily. Here’s how the three main mobile operating systems handle a lost device.

iOS

Every iPhone has “Find My” services integrated into the phone, enabling you to track your phone through iCloud. Simply enable “Find my iPhone” in your iCloud settings (Settings>iCloud>Find My iPhone) and should you lose the phone you can lock, locate, and even wipe the phone remotely.

To track the phone, use the “Find My” app or go to the iCloud website, log in with your Apple ID, and click on “Find My iPhone”. Devices are displayed on a Google Map so you can simply click on your phone’s dot to put the phone in “Lost Mode”. From there you can set a new password to prevent access or choose to enter a custom message for anyone who finds the phone. Even if the individual does a factory reset, the message remains and the phone can only be unlocked by using your original Apple ID and password. Lost Mode also activates a tracking history so you can monitor the location of your phone while you look. The Play Sound button will activate a two-minute tone on your phone, which is convenient if you know the phone is nearby but can’t remember exactly where you left it.

If all else fails and you can’t find the phone, you can remotely erase all data, leaving only your contact information and a brief message displayed for anyone who finds it.

Android

Google’s Android Device Manager allows you to track your lost phone without an app as long as the phone is powered on, connected to your Google account and has access to the Internet.

Go to Android Device Manager on your computer, log in with your Google ID and the location of your device will be displayed on a Google Map. At this point you can choose to have the phone ring or erase all data, returning it to Factory Settings.

You can also track your phone via Google Maps. Log in with your Gmail account, select the day that the phone went missing and a list of the phone’s locations for that date are displayed. Click “Show Time Stamp” at the bottom of the calendar, choose the latest time and the map will zoom in to that location.

Android users also have the option of remotely installing the “Lost Android” app if it wasn’t installed before the device was lost. Search for the app in the Google Play store, click Install, select the device and click “Okay”. Next, send a SMS with the text “androidlost register” to your phone.  Go to the “Android Lost” website and login with your Google ID. Select “View Map” and the location of the phone is displayed.

As a last resort you can erase the phone and wipe all data, resetting your phone to its original factory settings.

Windows Phone

Find My Phone is the Windows solution to tracking a lost phone. Go to the windowsphone.com website and login. In the My Phone menu, click on Find My Phone and follow the prompts in the dialog box.

If you think the phone is nearby in a pocket or stuck between sofa cushions select “Make it Ring”.

If you can’t hear it or the map displays that the phone is further away than you thought, choose “Lock”. If you don’t already have a password on your phone you’ll be instructed to set one up. You can leave a message with contact information for anyone who finds the phone, and once it’s returned, you can unlock it with the password you’ve set.

As a last resort you can erase the phone. Note: Choosing erase returns the phone to Factory Settings so you’ll no longer be able to use “Find My Phone”.

If you have your phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number you can call your service provider and ask them to track your phone. The number is unique to the phone even if the SIM card is replaced. Even if they can’t locate the phone they’ll be able to block access and prevent anyone else from using it.

Keep in mind many service providers like Verizon offer apps specifically created to help find a lost phone.  Verizon Support & Protection, an app available to Android and iOS smartphone customers who are subscribed to Verizon Total Mobile Protection is a great example.  The basic version is free for Verizon customers and the Premium version is $10 a month.

As with many situations, a good offense is the best defense. Be proactive by ensuring features like “Find My Phone” are enabled on your device and start tracking as soon as you realize your phone is missing to minimize the risk of your data and personal information being compromised.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too
    magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re
    saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you
    still take care of to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much
    more from you. This is actually a terrific site.

  2. Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hey there, You’ve performed an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.
    I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

  4. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
    Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it
    is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

  5. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply nice and i
    could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab
    your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  6. Great work! This is the kind of info that are supposed to
    be shared across the internet. Disgrace on the
    search engines for no longer positioning this publish upper!
    Come on over and talk over with my site .
    Thank you =)

    Also visit my page Xtreme Shred Review

  7. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to
    make your point. You clearly know what youre
    talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something
    enlightening to read?

  9. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems
    a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped
    off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  12. I wanted to thank you a lot more for this amazing website you have produced here.
    It truly is full of ideas for those who are seriously interested in that subject, especially this very post.
    You’re really all actually sweet in addition to thoughtful of others plus
    reading your website posts is a wonderful delight to me.
    And such a generous present! Tom and I usually have pleasure making use of
    your guidelines in what we should do in a few weeks. Our record is a
    distance long and simply put tips will definitely be put to
    beneficial use.

    My blog Green Flame CBD Gummies Review

  16. Thanks a ton for being my personal teacher on this area. My partner and i enjoyed your
    article greatly and most of all liked the way in which you handled the areas
    I considered to be controversial. You happen to be always incredibly
    kind to readers like me and assist me in my existence.
    Thank you.

    My page … http://www.nazisociopaths.org

  17. Hi there! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to
    fix this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Thanks!

    my page :: Dermal Pearle Review

  21. Good info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to
    ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to hire
    some professional writers? Thanks 🙂

    Visit my blog post Cogni 360

  24. Hurrah! At last I got a weblog from where I be capable of really take
    useful data regarding my study and knowledge.

  25. You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this matter to be really
    something which I believe I might never understand.
    It kind of feels too complicated and very wide
    for me. I’m having a look ahead on your subsequent post, I will try to get the grasp of it!

    Visit my blog post: WifiLift

  26. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it
    but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you
    might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look
    forward to seeing it develop over time.

    my web blog; comptine.biz

  28. Thanks for some other informative blog. Where else may
    I get that kind of information written in such a perfect way?
    I have a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I have
    been at the glance out for such info.

    My web page – Keto Incinerate Diet

  32. I cherished as much as you’ll obtain performed right here.
    The caricature is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    however, you command get got an nervousness over that you would like be
    handing over the following. sick indisputably come further
    until now again since exactly the similar nearly a lot incessantly within case
    you defend this increase.

    Stop by my blog: Keto Speed Review

  36. I think everything published made a ton of sense.
    But, think about this, what if you wrote a catchier post
    title? I am not saying your content isn’t solid, however what if you added something that makes
    people want more? I mean How To Find a Lost Smartphone – The Online Mom
    is a little plain. You might look at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create post titles to grab viewers interested.
    You might add a related video or a related pic or
    two to grab readers excited about what you’ve written. Just my
    opinion, it might make your website a little
    livelier.

    Also visit my homepage … cannabis seeds starts

  37. I think this is among the most important info sex tips for her me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some
    general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really great : D.
    Good job, cheers

  39. After looking into a handful of the blog articles on your site, I honestly
    appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book marked
    it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out
    my website as well and let me know what you think.

    Review my page … first time sex tips

  41. Amazing things here. I’m very glad to see your article.

    Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look forward to contact you.
    Will you please drop me a e-mail?

    my blog post; hotter sex

  42. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and
    wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    my web-site :: donkhamin.go.th

  44. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.

    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress
    posts into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

    Feel free to visit my homepage heal eczema

  47. It is usually proper opportunity to produce some desires for the upcoming. I’ve read this article and if I should, I wish to propose you handful useful recommendation.

  75. Hello, I do think your website could possibly be having browser compatibility
    problems. Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however
    when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, great
    blog!

  76. I reached out first via email, and to my surprise, they responded to my mail and they fixed a call, i was a bit late to the call but they was very understanding. I eventually provided all the details of the target phone I needed to gain access to, as they requested. In short, i was able to get access into my wife’s phone, whom I suspected was having an affair with another person. I am very pleased, especially with Levin who really took time to learn every details of the transactions. Well pleased with Vladimir Levin (hackervladimirlevin @ gmail com) for his hard work.

  82. Right here is the perfect blog for anyone who really wants to find out about this topic.
    You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been discussed for many years.
    Wonderful stuff, just excellent!

  86. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very useful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot.
    I was looking for this certain information for a very long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  87. Hi there, I discovered your website by way
    of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable topic, your website got
    here up, it seems to be good. I have bookmarked
    it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, simply turned into aware of your weblog via Google, and located that it is really informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you
    happen to continue this in future. Lots of people can be benefited out of your
    writing. Cheers!

  88. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  94. Unquestionably consider that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be at the internet
    the simplest thing to be mindful of. I say to you,
    I certainly get irked whilst other folks consider issues that they just don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , other folks can take a
    signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

  96. I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet
    I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if
    all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the
    internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  97. I constantly spent my half an hour to read this website’s articles all the
    time along with a cup of coffee.

  98. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as
    long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
    My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would genuinely
    benefit from some of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this okay with you. Many thanks!

  99. What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this paragraph
    i thought i could also create comment due to this brilliant piece of writing.

  100. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however ,
    I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
    My website covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email.

    I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!

  101. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?

    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your
    broadcast offered bright clear concept

  102. Hey There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This
    is a really smartly written article. I will be sure
    to bookmark it and return to read extra of your helpful info.
    Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

  104. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
    You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset.

    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog
    in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
    Regards!

  105. Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking a few
    minutes and actual effort to generate a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate
    a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.

  108. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s
    a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and
    visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Great work!

  113. Currently it sounds like Drupal is the top blogging
    platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

  115. Excellent weblog here! Additionally your web site rather a lot
    up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate link for your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  117. This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.

    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost
    moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.

    Too cool!

  118. It is the best time to make some plans for the future
    and it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I may I desire to counsel you few interesting issues or advice.

    Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I desire to read more things about it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

7 Essential Tips for New Smartphone Owners

8 Favorite Features from iOS 8

How To Choose a Smartphone

7 Mobile Device Security Tips

6 Useful Smartphone Travel Tips