Losing your smartphone can cause a panic due to the personal information it holds and the addiction you may have to it. But there are reliable ways to find your iPhone or Android device, whether it’s an expensive model like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or a more modest one like the Google Pixel 7a.
Finding lost smartphones
If you lose your iOS or Android smartphone, both Apple and Google offer built-in phone retrieval technology through Google and iCloud accounts. You can remotely lock, wipe, or make your phone ring to find it. Exercise caution when communicating with those who find your phone to protect your personal information.
How to find a lost Android phone with ‘Find My Device’
The easiest way to locate a lost Android handset is to use the Find My Device feature, which is built into your Android smartphone through Google Play Services. Make sure to enable this feature on your device for easier tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find someone else’s lost phone?
If you use Find My, you can add another device to your list to locate a lost phone. Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My web portals are useful for tracking lost devices.
Does my phone need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data to find it?
It’s helpful to have an internet connection to find your smartphone, but recent models use Bluetooth and crowdsourced location reporting for tracking even when disconnected from Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Can you track a phone that is off?
Recent smartphones can be located even if powered off or with a dead battery using advanced technologies like Ultra Wideband or crowdsourced networks.
Losing your smartphone can be a stressful experience, but using built-in features and third-party apps can help you retrieve it. Ensure to activate these features to have peace of mind in case of loss or theft.
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