How to Track a Stolen or Lost Android Phone and iPhone

We understand how much of a hassle it can be when you can't find your phone. In some cases, it's hidden away in plain sight. However, your phone can also be stolen or lost while away from home. Even if you aren't tech-savvy, you can still salvage the situation if you're well-prepared for such circumstances and respond quickly enough. In this article, we will share a few helpful resources on how to track a lost phone.

Before Tracking the Stolen or Lost Phone

If you misplace your phone, the best action to find it is to have someone else dial your number. You may hear your phone ring if it is not too far away. In case your phone is muted, you can ring it with the Android Device Manager or Google Home.

Keep in mind that changing your Google password and lock screens is the most sensible thing if your phone is stolen. Make sure that no one has unauthorized access to your information. Don't forget that other devices use the same credentials, so they remain connected.

Prevention, they say, is better than cure. It would be best if you add alternate contact information to your phone's lockscreen before your phone is lost. And always ensure that your phone is fully charged at all times, because the contact information added to the lock screen will only be seen if the phone is still on.

How to Track a Stolen or Lost Android Phone

There are different ways to find a lost Android phone, the most effective of which include:

1Find My Lost Phone with Android Device Manager

It's also possible to find a lost Android phone if it's connected to your Google account, has internet access, has location switched on, and ADM is configured to locate it before it disappears. ADM can show the exact position of your smartphone by default, except if you have this feature turned off in settings.

It is easy to locate your phone with ADM if you have a Google account and go to google.com/android/find. Sign in with your Google account and select the specific device.

To get a better idea of your device's position, Google provides you with different options:

The downside is that ADM can only tell you where your phone was last seen if your phone has been switched off.

2Find Lost Samsung Phone with Find My Mobile

Even if you don't have a Google account, there are still other ways to track down your lost Samsung phone.

Most Android phones have a default tracking app or some other method of finding the device if it is lost or stolen. Let's have a look at Samsung gadgets. There's a feature called Find My Mobile on Samsung phones, similar to Google's Find My Device. You can use their app or website to look up your phone's location if this setting is enabled.

Ensure that this option is enabled at all times. That way, you'll be able to get the last known location of your phone. There are a few more features that make it more user-friendly than Google. It's also possible to back up the phone, retrieve your texts and call history, and even extend the battery life with the Find My Mobile option.

3Locate Lost Phone with AirDroid Lost Phone Locator

In finding a missing Android, AirDroid Family Locator is the best lost phone locator out there. Please make sure your phone with this app installed is already paired and connected with the lost Android phone. It keeps track of the device in real time. As a result, you'd be able to pinpoint its specific location easily. You can also use remote operations to monitor the phone's surroundings.

Step 1. Download and install the AirDroid Parental Control on the first device. Create and log into your account.

Step 2. Follow the steps on the first device to install AirDroid Kids on the second device. Then, bind the two devices.

Step 3. You can tap the Location icon in AirDroid Parental Control dashboard on the first device to locate the second one.

Step 4. You can click Remote Camera to watch the phone's surroundings. The One-Way Audio function will also let you listen to what is happening around your lost phone.

4With Wireless Carrier

Many carriers have their location tracking function. If you are using T-Mobile, you may also use T-Mobile FamilyWhere to find a missing Android phone. You can report your phone as missing or stolen through your wireless carrier's website or app if you need help knowing where or how to get it back. Remotely locking or erasing your device is also possible using this method.

5Using a Smart Speaker

You can also use a smart speaker to locate a missing phone may be useful if you know it is somewhere in your home. To make it easier to locate your phone, sign in to the same account on both your mobile device and your smart speaker.

You can tell Google to find your phone by saying, "Okay, Google, find my phone," if you have a Google Home HubTM. After that, your smart speaker will confirm your request and ring the device you asked. What's the most exciting part? It will still make a noise, even if you've put your phone on mute or vibrate mode.

6Video Tutorial: How to Find a Lost or Stolen Android Mobile

How to Track a Stolen or Lost iPhone

1 Find My App on Your iPad or Mac

Apple, like Google, offers a simple way to locate a misplaced iPhone. Find My App is available for all Apple users with the latest iOS. When you turn on your Find My Network, you can use the Find My App on any device with the same Apple ID. Even if the device is offline, its last known location can be seen for up to seven days.

To locate lost iPhone with Find My App on your iPad or Mac:

2 iCloud Location Tracking

Another way to locate lost iPhones is through iCloud location tracking. Yes, not only can you use iCloud to back up all your files from all your devices (iPad, iPhone, Mac), but you can also track your missing or stolen iPhone. You may even lock the device's screen, erase data, or ring the device.

To locate a lost iPhone using iCloud location tracking;

3Using Apple Watch

Unlike Find My iPhone, the Apple Watch's search function won't trigger any iCloud emails indicating your device has been sent a noise; it's a much easier and less complex Find feature.

Here's how to use the feature:

4Find My App on Other's Device

Find My App is an app that allows iOS users to locate a lost iPhone. When activated, you can find lost iPhones using other devices too. But first, you have to turn on the app.

If you've activated the Find My app, you can find a lost phone with it on other devices.

5Google Maps

Google Maps "maps" out all location data from your iPhone. It uses this data to locate a lost iPhone. However, it only works if location reporting and history are enabled on the device.

To locate a lost iPhone on Google Maps;

Protect Privacy and Property If Your Phone Is Stolen

Losing a phone is a stressful experience. Still, if you're not careful, it can also be a major privacy and security concern. In case you have sensitive or private data on your phone, it's crucial to know how to get rid of it as soon as possible after losing the device.

To minimize the risk of unauthorized access to your data, here are the steps you can take to delete data after your phone is lost:

Step 1: Remotely Lock the Lost Phone

The lost mode locks the phone and displays a message with contact information and a call button on the screen. You can enable the lost mode for both iPhone and Android. You can enable lost mode on your iPhone through iCloud or the Find My app. If you want to enable secure device on your Android, just go to android.com/find on your web browser.

Step 2: Change Account Passwords

As an additional precaution, change the passwords for any accounts logged into your lost phone. By changing the passwords, you ensure that even if someone gains access to your accounts, they cannot continue accessing them.

Moreover, If you haven't already, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your important accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code and your Password when logging in. It can help prevent unauthorized access even if someone has your login credentials.

Step 3: Remotely Swipe Data

If you have the latest Android or iOS device paired with a Google or Apple account, you can erase all data on your phone by going to android.com/find (Android) or www.icloud.com/find (iPhone) on your web browser.

Step 4: Notify Service Providers

Contact your mobile service provider and report the loss of your phone. They can assist you in deactivating your SIM card or suspending your phone service to prevent unauthorized usage. Also, inform your device manufacturer about the situation, especially if your phone contains sensitive or confidential information.

Step 5: Alert The Police

If you think your phone is stolen, not misplaced, you should file a police report. Although it may not be considered a high-priority case, it can help in other ways. The device is added to a blocklist and wouldn't work with any carrier within the country. You can also protect your information and avoid potential theft or fraud. The police may also help you track the lost phone via the IMEI number.

FAQs

Is There a Free Way to Find a Lost Phone?

Elsa

You can find a lost phone free with Google Find My Device or Apple Find My App. Both methods are free. You only need to have a Google account or an Apple ID. Connect your device to your google account or your Apple ID. Only then can you find a lost phone for free.

Can You Track Someone's Lost Phone?

Elsa

You can track someone's lost phone on Find My Device or Find My App if they have linked their device to Google or Apple. Just sign in with their apple ID or google account on your device.

How to Find a Lost iPhone without Find My iPhone?

Elsa

You can find a lost iPhone without Find My iPhone using google timeline. Go to the google timeline website. Sign in with your Google account and scroll through the timeline to locate the lost iPhone.

Can You Find a Lost iPhone That Is Turned Off?

Elsa

Yes, you can locate a lost iPhone that is turned off if "send the last location" is activated. You can do that from Find My iPhone or Find My Network on the Find My app.

Can You Track Your Lost Android Phone without An App?

Elsa

You can track your lost Android phone without an app from the Find My Device website. Sign in to the website with your account to track your Android device.

How Can I Track My Lost Phone without the Internet?

Elsa

You can track its last location on the Find My service. If it doesn't work, report the stolen device to law enforcement so that it can be tracked even without an internet connection.