LOCATE MY LOST ANDROID DEVICE: ANDROID DEVICE MANAGER

If you lost your Android device it’s not only about the burden of having to replace the phone. Your privacy and security are at risk. Your phone can reveal tons of information about you and those who are close to you.

Here we will discuss about measures we can take to recover your lost Android device. You have three options.

1.  Android device manager 
2. Using Google Map
3. Using apps like AirDroid

Like AirDroid there is a number of phone recovery or anti-theft apps are available on the Google Play Store.

If you haven’t installed any phone recovery app before it lost still there are a few ways to remote control and track your phone.

Android Device Manager:

If your device is running on Android 2.2 or above you can use Android Device Manager to find your device. You also will need to be signed into your Google Account.

How to use the Android Device Manager

First of all you will have to make sure that the Android Device Manager is enabled as a device administrator. You can do it by going to Settings >> Security and Screen Lock >> Device Administrators on your Android device. If your devices menus are different, then use your user manual to find it and select the box that says “Android Device Manager.” Well done it’s over.

Now, update the location settings of your device. Actually, GPS is not necessary to locate your device, if enabled it will make the readings more accurate so enable GPS services. Please don’t worry about the battery it will drain your battery only when it’s actively being used.

Now, select the “Google Settings” App and select Android Device Manager from the list and select the boxes named “Remotely locate this device” and “Allow remote lock and factory reset.” Done, you have enabled the Android Device Manager.

Go to https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager the Android Device Manager has very simple and user friendly dashboard. Using it you can:

1        Locate your device: You can see the location of your Android device on the map with the name of the place and also the time it was last used and located. You can spot out the exact location by zooming in.

2        You can ring your device: This feature will be useful when your phone is misplaced in your own home or office. You are trying to ring your phone from another phone to find it, but it is silent or vibrate mode this will help you. Ring your device using Android Device Manager; it will ring for 5 minutes at the highest volume.

3        Lock your device: Lockup your device remotely will be helpful if you wish to lock your Android device; therefore, no one will access your sensitive private information. You can click on the Lock button of Android Device Manager to lock your device. The device manager will ask you to enter a new password twice and the device will be locked.

4        Erase Device: Using this option you can factory reset your device. This will erase all your content and settings from your device. After the reset you will not be able to track your device using Android Device Manager. Erase Device may not erase your personal data on external SD cards.

For using the above said options:

Your device must be connected with your Google account and must have access to the internet.

How to use Google Maps to find a lost phone:

If you want to use Google Maps to find your phone, then location Reporting and Location History of your device should be activated. You can do this using the Google Settings app on your device. The Location History feature of Google Maps is not intended find out a lost device, but you can use it to locate your phone.

Simply, go to the Google Maps Location History and select the current date on the calendar. Then click on “Show timestamps” and scroll down to find out the latest timestamp, then click on to see the last available location. Google Maps location history is less accurate since it uses cell tower IDs and Wi-Fi location detection to collect location data.

To use this method:

 Your device should be connected with your Google account and must have access to the internet.

Using third party apps like AirDroid, Lookout, etc.

Using one of the third party apps is another alternative. These apps offers features like lock, locate, wipe, sound the alarm and take photos of whoever tries to unlock the device etc.

Unfortunately these apps are all paid ones and you do have to pay for a premium subscription if you want to use advanced features like remotely lock and wipe the device, take the picture of the person who try to unlock the device etc.

Important: If you think that your device has been stolen then the first thing you should do is to contact police for help.