These days your phone has lots of sensitive apps and data including your messages, social media, banking apps, and even personal photos. This is why losing it is more than just a mere inconvenience but a security risk too. But did you know that Android has this powerful built-in tool called Lost Mode that can help you track, lock, and protect your phone? This ensures that all of your data stays secure. In this quick guide, we will walk you through what lost mode Android is all about and how to enable and use the feature.
If you’re wondering what lost mode Android is then it’s simply a security feature available that now allows enterprises to lock, locate and secure their Android device when it’s misplaced or stolen.
In most Android devices this feature is known as Find My Device or Theft Protection. When enabled, lost mode allows you to:
Lock and Secure your device: Lock Mode prevents unauthorized access to your phone by displaying a custom message with your contact number.
Locate your Device: Lock Mode tracks your device’s location in real time using GPS whether it is lost or stolen allowing easy retrieval and consequently your personal data protection.
Play a Sound: Additionally, you could play a loud sound on the phone even if it is on silent mode to locate it within your vicinity.
Displays your Contact Information: This is super helpful allowing anyone who finds your phone to locate you with ease.
Part 2. How to Enable Lost Mode on Android?
Losing your Android device can be a stressful experience. Luckily, you can easily recover your phone with Android Lost Mode.
There are a bunch of ways you can enable this feature to secure your device. Let’s look into some of the best options to do so.
1Using the Google Find My Device App
This is the simplest and most widely used method. The beauty is that this option works across all Android devices linked to a Google account. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1.Download and open the Find My Device app from the Google Playstore. If you already have the app, simply launch it.
Step 2.Sign in with the same Google account connected to your lost phone using a friend’s or your backup phone.
Step 3.From the list of devices select the name of the lost device.
Step 4.Tap on Secure Device to lock and secure your phone.
Step 5.Create a message and your Contact number that will be displayed on the phone’s screen to make it easier for someone who found it to return it to you.
Upon activation of Android phone lost mode, your phone will be locked automatically and its location can be tracked in real-time and easily if it's online. In addition, if it is within proximity say your house, you could set a loud tune that will ease the search.
2Built-in System
Some phone manufacturers like Xiaomi and Samsung provide their own in-built tracking and security systems to add an extra layer of security to features like Google’s Find My Device.
For instance, if you’re using a Xiaomi phone here is how to enable Android lost mode:
Step 1.Go to Mi Cloud and sign in to your Xiaomi account.
Step 2.Click on Find My Device and select on your lost phone.
Step 3.Select Lock Mode to lock and secure your phone.
Step 4.Type a custom message that will be displayed on the lock screen of your lost phone. Also when your phone is online its location can be tracked.
3With an MDM Solution
You can also use a dedicated Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution like Android Business to enable Android phone lost mode for your company-owned devices. An MDM is simply a tool that companies use to manage devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones that their employees use for work.
In this case, if your company’s Android device is lost or stolen, your IT administrators can simply use the MDM software to remotely enable the Lost Mode remotely with one click. In addition, they can also lock the device and wipe all data to prevent unauthorized access and a possible data breach easily.
Here I am using AirDroid Business as an example to show you how to enable the "Lost Mode" with an MDM solution:
Step 1.Click the following button to have a free trial, and then log into the AirDroid Business dashboard.
Step 2.Select the device that you need to enable the lost mode.
Step 3.Lastly, find out the lost mode feature and eable it with ease.
Part 3. When You Need To Enable Lost Mode?
Again, remember that phones are nowadays more than just gadgets we use to make calls. You likely have sensitive apps and data like those personal goofy photos that you do not want anyone to see. You might also have some important work emails and data that you definitely don’t want falling into the wrong hands.
You definitely want to have a way to retrieve or lock your phone to ensure your safety and this is where enabling android lost mode comes in handy.
Imagine this, you are visiting a relative and when all the excitement subsides you reach for your phone either to take pictures or call someone only to discover that you don’t have it. This is where panic sets in when you remember that you left it on the bus or the taxi seat.
Luckily, you can use another phone to log in to your google account and enable lost mode. Here you can set a custom message on the locked screen-something like “ Have you found my phone? Please call me via a given number”. This can help a good Samaritan trace you if they found the phone.
It could even help with trying to track the lost phone. If the phone isn’t already locked with a password, then Android lost mode will force it to be secured with a PIN, password, or pattern lock. If you can’t find the phone then you are able to remotely lock it to secure your data.
Summary
Losing your phone should not be a life or death ordeal, with Android lost mode you are able to recover your phone or at least protect the data in it. It doesn't get easier than that and the best part is it is free and easily accessible using security features like Android Lost Mode. This is a simple yet powerful tool to help you protect your personal data and track or recover your device in case it’s lost or stolen. You can use it to try and trace the lost phone while preventing anyone from accessing sensitive information.
FAQs
What happens when you put a phone in lost mode?
Maverick
Android phone lost mode automatically locks your phone and enables you to also track the phone’s location. When locked, a custom message with your number is displayed on the screen meaning no one has access to your personal information.
Also when you are in close proximity to your phone, you can set a tune to enable you to trace it best for when you misplace it around the house.
What data will be wiped when Android lost mode is activated?
Maverick
When activated, lost mode Android does not prompt any data to be wiped. Instead, the phone is simply locked, preventing any unauthorized access by displaying your contact number on the lock screen. If anything, your personal information and data are preserved.
Can people access your phone on lost mode?
Maverick
No, when your phone is in lost mode, people cannot access your phone’s data because it becomes locked. Locking prevents unwanted access to the information stored in your phone, so no need to panic. The only thing that can be visible is a custom message with your contact number which you set when you enabled Android phone lost mode.
For more than 8 years, Maverick has dig deep into IT and mobile device management. He delivers practical MDM solution tips and strategies for various endpoints management.
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