How to determine the location of a smartphone on Android or iPhone and increase the success of independently searching for a lost phone, what IMEI is, what applications and services will help you find a mobile phone - read about all this in our material.
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Where to look for your phone if it’s not in your usual place? Did you hurry up and leave it at work? Accidentally dropped it while drinking coffee on a park bench? You put it somewhere at home, and your smartphone is on silent mode? Did it fall out of your pocket and lie under the seat in the car? Did you drop it on the way to the store when you bent down to tie your shoelace? There are many places where your smartphone could end up. Or maybe it was stolen? If such questions often arise in your head, this is a reason to prepare in advance for losing your phone.
How to protect yourself from losing your phone?
- Don't carry your phone in shallow pockets. It is better to carry it in pockets that zip up.
- Check your phone's location before changing your location. Train yourself to put it in the same place in your bag, and not in a random section or pocket.
- Store all important information, contacts and favorite photos in the cloud (for example, iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Yandex.Disk, Mail.ru Cloud and the like). This way you will have access to them in any case. Synchronize regularly.
- To avoid theft, do not show your phone, especially an expensive one, to others unless necessary. Do not leave your phone in a visible place unattended: on a table in a cafe, in a gym locker room, in an open car, or even in your workplace (especially if others can get into it). Teach your child not to leave his phone unattended on his desk at school or university.
- Set up a screen lock. Do not use the same PIN/password for different applications and services. Don't store passwords in your phone case.
- Many smartphones allow you to indicate contact information on the screen when the lock is turned on in case of loss. Place your e-mail or phone number of a loved one there.
- It is not recommended to purchase expensive mobile phones for minor children.
- Keep the documents on your phone or the box containing the device identification number for as long as possible.
- Just in case, save a screenshot of the identification numbers in the cloud. IMEI will come in handy if you have to contact the police. Information can also be found on your phone in the Settings section. Or, dial the code *#06# and make a call (works from any phone) .
- If you decide to go into the forest to pick mushrooms, go hiking, or go to a place where there is not a connection everywhere (let alone the Internet), try to put your phone down so that it does not fall out. Otherwise, no tricks will help.
- Install the application for the most accurate geolocation (we'll talk about them below).
Tips on how to protect yourself from theft or loss of your phone
To protect your phone from theft or loss, we recommend the following steps:
- Set a password and pattern. If it's an iPhone, you can choose to unlock using your fingerprint or FaceID.
- Launch pre-installed programs for searching for a lost smartphone or download new ones. Google and Apple are combining all mobile equipment registered to one person under a single account. This makes it easier to find lost devices from other devices.
- Enable the search option from your mobile operator (if provided for in the list of services provided).
- Install the SIM Alarm application on your smartphone. This program sends messages immediately after the SIM card is removed from the device.
In addition, to protect personal data, it is recommended:
- Check the functionality of the device's remote locking function.
- Set up data backups at least once a week.
- Store important information in a cloud service.
- Copy the IMEI into a notepad or other location.
Before installing a third-party application that supports finding a lost device, you need to check whether this program is able to communicate directly with Google Maps. Otherwise, you should download other developments. The fact is that if the program does not support the specified function, then if the gadget is lost, the application will not give the exact location coordinates.
How to find an Android phone
For a long time, Android did not have a built-in ability to track a phone, but now the Android Device Manager system has been developed, which runs on the Android 2.2 operating system and higher. To do this, the phone must be connected to a Google account. It is noted that all functions of the service will definitely work on devices with Android 8.0 and higher. We tested the service on Android 7.1.2 and came to the conclusion that the functions below are quite functional. If you have an earlier version on your phone, we advise you to test the service yourself and not rely on chance. Tracker apps may be more suitable for your protection.
For Android's built-in search to work, be sure to turn on Find My Device.
How to do it?
- Go to "Settings"
- Go to the “Google” section (it may be located in the “Location and Security” or “System and Device” block (the name of the block may differ depending on the version of the operating system and manufacturer)
- If the Find My Device function is not activated, turn it on.
- If the "Location" function is not activated, turn it on
- There, check whether location history is saved for ease of finding your smartphone.
The lost phone must be connected to the network or within Wi-Fi range. If you turn off network search to prevent the battery from draining, you won’t be able to find out the phone’s position.
Looking for a phone
- Go through an Internet browser (from a computer or other smartphone) to android.com/find
- Activate your Google profile
- If you use several devices from one profile, select the one you need to find.
On the screen you will see the remaining charge of the device, the network to which it is connected and the approximate location of the phone (by the way, in the phone settings in the same “Google” section, you can select the method of determining the location).
There is an option at android.com/find
- Call your lost device. The call will be continuous and loud (you can only turn it off from the website). You can search for your phone while cheerfully hooting for as long as 5 minutes. This option is very convenient if you have lost your phone within the apartment.
- Lock your device and set a screen lock using a PIN, pattern, or password (if you haven't added one in advance). And also add text or phone number to the locked screen.
- Completely erase data from the device. Important: after deleting your Google account from your phone, it will be impossible to track your device through the website. But if there is no hope of returning the phone, this item will be the right choice. If the device is offline, the data will be deleted the next time you connect.
You can track the movement history of your Android phone using Google Maps if you configure the “Chronology” section.
Phone search services by subscriber number and IMEI
Let's look at working and non-working ways to find a lost phone. Some of the above services are fraudulent.
SNDeep.Info
This portal is not suitable for finding a lost phone. It is informational:
- Shows the smartphone model by IMEI;
- Shows the status - stolen or lost (if the handset was stolen, enter its IMEI in the form and add a list of lost or stolen);
- It may show a discrepancy between the smartphone and its IMEI number (if it has been reflashed).
It does not show the location of the device.
PLNET (Phone-Location.net)
The creators of the service claim that they can find a lost device by phone number. In fact, it doesn’t work - cellular operators do not transfer location data to third parties and services. The service is fraudulent, it was created to profit from gullible users.
We conducted an experiment - we used the service despite Yandex’s warning. Enter the number of a telephone that is currently switched off. The system showed the connection was established and correctly displayed the region - this is publicly available information. The city was determined - erroneously, during the experiment the tube was in another city. Wi-Fi was detected to be turned on - erroneously, since this is a simple phone. A few seconds later, the service allegedly identified the location, demanding registration and money. PLNET is not looking for anything - which is what needed to be proven.
There are plenty of such services - they only show the operator and regional affiliation (this is open data). They will not be able to determine the location.
OM-TEL
Another service similar to PLNET. It doesn't work, don't experiment. More precisely, it works - after registering with a phone number, money disappears from the account. PLNET works in a similar way. Remember, services that search for phones by SIM card, IMEI number and other parameters do not work.
How to find iPhone
The search feature for Apple devices appeared on iOS much earlier than on Android. Now it works on any iPhone.
If you didn't turn on Find My iPhone when you first set up your device, you can do so at any time in iCloud (Settings → username → iCloud).
Also activate the detection of the last geoposition when the battery is low - it will help you find a lost item with a dead battery.
If you lose your iPhone:
- Go to https://www.icloud.com/#find or the Find My iPhone app on another paired device.
- Select All Devices.
- You will be able to find not only the iPhone, but also, for example, the Apple Watch and AirPods headphones linked to your account. If the dot next to the device name in the list is green, then the device is online and its current location is displayed. If the dot is gray, it shows the time when the device was last detected by the system, as well as the location of the last connection. If the phone has not been connected to the network for more than 24 hours, the “Offline” status is displayed.
The service allows you to check the “Notify me about a find” checkbox and request that a notification be sent by email when your device connects to the Internet, if it is not currently active.
As with Android, you can remotely “Play Sound” on an Apple phone. If the search is unsuccessful, you can block access to your information and tell whoever finds your iPhone in the future your contacts. The last resort is to completely clean the smartphone. This can be done remotely even when the phone is turned off or the battery is low. The changes will take effect immediately upon switching on.
Please note that, unlike smartphones of other brands, the iPhone cannot be used after “wiping”.
And one more tip: if you are afraid of losing your iPhone, you will need the Medical Card feature in the Health app (available starting in iOS 8).
It allows you to display important information in case of incidents (for example, blood type, list of allergens, etc.). The function will also help if you lose your phone. In the “Medcard” you can register “Contacts in case of emergency”
and turn on the “On Lock Screen” option - then the kind person who found your phone will be able to contact you.
How to find a phone on Windows
Modern Microsoft products also have their own information-accumulating service. The website account.microsoft.com/devices will help you put your devices together. If you have a Microsoft account, you can easily access it.
Please note that older models of Windows devices cannot be linked. But there will be no problems with Windows Phone phones.
And, of course, there is a general disadvantage of cloud search services: the device cannot send information about its current location if it is not connected to the Internet or the battery is low.
To search Windows Phone:
- Select your device at account.microsoft.com/devices and click Search for Device.
- The device's position will be displayed on the map.
Be sure to check the “Phone was last seen” timestamp. It may take some time for the device position to update. - To remotely block, select “Blocking” and click “Next”. You can create a lock screen message for the person who found your phone. Click the "Block" button. You can also use “Reset Password” for greater security (a random person, even if he manages to unlock the device, will not be able to use it through your account).
Find My Device
The program is designed with Android devices in mind. In the application interface, a map with the current location of the smartphone is drawn, and the functions of ringing the device, blocking it, and remotely erasing data are available. The downside is that there are built-in advertisements.
| Find My Device is a popular app for locating missing Android devices. |
How to find your phone on BlackBerry
For BlackBerry phones, there is a service called BlackBerry Protect. It is built-in on the BlackBerry 10 operating system; it can be downloaded on lower series. BlackBerry Protect and Location Services must be turned on in Settings on your phone.
The system's home search engine site https://protect.blackberry.com/protect/mydevice must work through a BlackBerry ID (the site is blocked in Russia).
Through the site you can:
- turn on the sound on the device for 60 seconds
- send a message to the device for the person who found the phone
- set a password to lock the device
- erase all data from the device.
Alternative search methods
Some people use the newly released top model from the flagship line of a well-known manufacturer, while others are used to an old push-button phone and are not eager to part with it. Losing any phone is a sad event for the owner. Let's see what owners of “non-smartphones” can do to prevent loss (by the way, others can try these methods too).
Method 1
Almost every cellular operator in Russia (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Tele2) has its own geolocation service. Until recently, such a service from any operator could be used (for a fee) by owners of non-smartphones. Now, for example, MTS requires an application to call a service. But most operators still have versions for simple dialers.
Please note: the phone must have your SIM card. The phone must be within the coverage area of mobile operators. A one-time consent of the phone owner is required for tracking (which means you need to enable the service before it is lost). The error is up to 1 km.
Some operators allow you to track multiple numbers, including numbers from other operators. More information about operator services can be found at the following links:
| "Beeline-Coordinates" | https://coordinates.beeline.ru/ |
| "Locator" from Beeline | https://locator.beeline.ru/#/landing |
| MTS SEARCH | https://poisk.mts.ru/mts-poisk-authorise/#/ (you need to download the application) |
| "Radar" (Megafon) | https://radar.megafon.ru |
| "Geosearch" from Tele2 | https://perm.tele2.ru/option/geosearch |
Method 2
If the services are not connected, simply ringing the phone has no effect, you can’t find the phone where you last saw it, find the box and documents from the device, if there is no box, take with you the IMEI previously written out on a piece of paper ( we remind you that you can find out by dialing *#06# on your phone ) and contact the police. Don't forget to block your SIM card. Fraudsters can use it for evil purposes, and you will have to pay. By the way, you should contact the police if you couldn’t find your smartphone. This does not at all guarantee the return of the device, but suddenly a miracle happens and your mobile phone is found.
Before buying my first iPhone, I was faced with the situation of irretrievably losing my phone many times. The method of contacting the police practically does not work. Even combined with information from tracker applications. I still receive email notifications about numbers of subscribers who use my lost phone, but the police have not found it. A year ago I had the opportunity to try Apple's service, and I was very pleased. We immediately blocked the phone through my husband’s phone and wrote a message for those who found it. It was at a big festival, and people thought they were lucky to find someone else's phone. But then, apparently, someone from the younger generation made it clear that iPhones “don’t reset” and you won’t be able to use a locked device. A couple of hours later they returned the phone to the cafe where I left it.
— Lily
If your phone is still lost, here is your action plan
If your phone is lost or stolen, you need to try to protect your personal data. And here's what you need to do:
Lock your phone
All applications that are responsible for finding your device have a “Block” function. It allows you to block all actions on the phone and display only messages from its user, that is, from you. In this message you must indicate how you can be contacted.
You should not use the “Erase device” function, as with this action you will lose the ability to track the location of your gadget.
Unfortunately, these steps can only be performed if your lost phone is turned on and connected to the mobile Internet.
Once you find your phone, you will need to enter your PIN to unlock it.
Back up your data
As long as your phone has enough charge to communicate with your Google account, you need to back up your phone data. If you can't find it, at least you'll still have your important files and app data.
Contact the police
If you realize that you didn’t just leave your phone somewhere, but that it was stolen, but you can still track its location, don’t try to go looking for it yourself. You may be in danger, as the thief may do worse than just steal. The phone is not worth it - it is better to contact law enforcement agencies.
Have you contacted the police to find your phone?
Yes, the police helped me find my phone
100%
No, the police are powerless in these matters.
0%
Voted: 1
Change your passwords
If you were unable to remotely block access to your phone, then you urgently need to change passwords and access to your electronic wallets, mail, social networks and other important applications that store your personal data.
Contact your mobile operator
If it becomes clear that you cannot quickly return your phone, contact your carrier and report it as lost or stolen. It will block your number so that attackers cannot use your funds in your account. To submit such an application, be prepared to provide the contract number or access code.
Tracker apps for finding phones
If for some reason the built-in search systems do not work on your smartphone or you consider such protection insufficient, tracker applications will come to the rescue.
It is easier to find a phone on which a tracker application was previously installed, since such applications use several search methods and broader functionality. Let's look at some of the most popular offers and their capabilities.
If you lose your phone at home, you can install the “Find phone by clap” or “Find phone by whistling” applications. If you add them to the exceptions in the energy saving settings, you can search for the device around the apartment while clapping or whistling your favorite tune.
But let's move on to more functional direction finders.
Where's My Droid
The Where's My Droid application, even in the free version, has a wide range of capabilities. True, the interface cannot be called friendly.
Those who are encountering such an application for the first time and are not technically savvy will have to do a little digging to enable administration access for the application, understand what is being configured in which section and how this or that function will work if the phone is lost.
And not all versions of Android allow you to change the screen lock. Free version:
- Getting GPS geolocation
- Geolocation message when battery is low
- Remote playback of phone sound or vibration (activation from the site https://commander.wheresmydroid.com/)
- Setting a passcode to prevent unauthorized changes to the application
- Notification about changing SIM card or phone number
- Stealth mode (the application is hidden on the phone)
- The application uses almost no battery power
Advanced security components (paid version):
- Ability to take pictures using the device's camera (for example, if you want to see who has taken over your phone)
- Remote device lock
- Remotely erase data from phone and SD card
- Preventing deletion
- Option to hide application shortcut
Cost: $0.99/month or $8.99/year
Website: https://wheresmydroid.com/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/
Cerberus anti theft
Cerberus has a more user-friendly interface and helps you quickly get used to the application.
The program allows you to remotely control your phone from the website or via SMS (convenient if you only have an old “non-smartphone” at hand or the lost device does not have access to the Internet). The application can send photos, report SIM card replacement, “become invisible” on the phone, and much more. But the free version is only valid for a week. If you want to test it, please note that some users complain that the screen lock that the application makes can be removed on some phone models with a long press. With the Cerberus application you can:
- Find and track your phone on the map
- Lock your phone with a secret code
- Sound a loud alarm even if the phone is in silent mode
- Display a message on the screen and also play it on your phone
- Take photos, screenshots and even record videos to identify the thief
- Get location history to see where your device has been
- Erase internal memory and SD cards to protect your personal data
- Secretly record audio from a microphone
- Get information about the phone and WiFi network to which the device is connected, and nearby WiFi networks
- Receive an email/SMS notification if the SIM card is changed, and a photo of the intruder if the blocking code is entered incorrectly. You can set up your own work rules. In the extended version, you can even find out the new SIM card number when replacing it.
Cost: 5 €/year for 1 device (if there are more devices, it is more profitable to buy).
Website: https://www.cerberusapp.com
Google Play: https://play.google.com/
Prey Anti Theft
Prey is a free app if you want to protect up to 3 devices.
You have to pay for the advanced version, but it has useful features. The creators promise to work on almost any software: Android, Chromebooks, iOS, Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, or MAC. So you can put it on a laptop. The main disadvantage is that the application is in English. There is also no built-in function for uninstalling the program itself (to understand how to do this, you need to read the FAQ in English). The application makes reports that display everything from the location of the device and photos from the phone to the network to which it is connected and changes made to the lost device.
For users in the US, this feature is in demand as reports are sent to the police. In Russian realities they are not so useful. However, the position of the phone can be tracked. There is a stealth mode and the ability to contact the person who found the phone.
In the paid version, you can specifically delete information from devices and even urgently get the necessary file from the device (that same photo with a kitten that you forgot to upload to the cloud or the coursework that you took to your supervisor and lost along with your phone along the way)
Functional:
- Detailed reports on device status and location
- GPS coordinates in each report and points on the map.
- Security alarm (will be)
- Remote blocking
- Shooting from front and rear cameras
- Stealth mode (invisible on the phone)
- Display a message for the person who found the phone
- Remote access to information
Cost: $5.00 per month for 3 devices (if you have more devices or buy annual service, discounts apply)
Website: https://preyproject.com
Google Play: https://play.google.com/
Search by satellite
This search option is possible due to the fact that smartphones use SIM cards for communication, to which mobile operators can send a special signal. After this, the exact coordinates of the location of the lost device appear.
To find a lost phone, you need to go to the nearest branch of the mobile operator with your passport and submit the appropriate application. The time during which the search is conducted depends on technical capabilities. But this usually takes several hours.
This method is suitable for cases where the phone was lost and not stolen. Immediately after the device is in their hands, the attackers remove the SIM card, without which the mobile operator will not be able to send a signal and, as a result, receive the coordinates of the gadget’s location.
Child loses phones
Sending a child to school without a phone is exciting. But when a child constantly loses a device (leaves it on windowsills, desks, in the locker room or who knows where) it’s time to sound the alarm.
According to statistics, between the ages of 6 and 15, every fifth child loses their phone on average once every two months. Therefore, there is no reason to think that your “bungler” is unique. First of all, try to calmly understand why these constant losses occur. Maybe the child simply doesn’t understand the value of the phone and doesn’t consider it his thing? Maybe the student is too busy and distracted, or maybe he wants a more expensive model? Perhaps the high school students simply took the phone away, and the child is afraid to confess. Try to discuss the problem and find a solution. But in order to prevent the loss from happening again, prepare your child’s phone for searching.
You can search for your child’s smartphone through installed family tracker apps. Moreover, they combine “two in one” - they allow you to reduce your anxiety for the student (in case of danger, the child can send an “SOS” signal) and, if something happens, find the missing smartphone.
Is it possible to find a phone if it is turned off?
A modern mobile device can be found in several ways. The main thing to remember is: the sooner you take action, the greater the likelihood of finding the loss as soon as possible.
But first you need to make sure that the phone was not accidentally left in your jacket pocket, purse or inside the car. If the loss happened in a public place, most likely it was stolen.
Important! If your phone is lost within your home, the way to find it is very simple. To find a switched off phone at home, you just need to wait for the alarm to ring - it goes off even if the gadget is turned off.
You can try to find a lost phone in a shopping center or office building by reporting it to the security service. If by chance it was left somewhere and falls into the hands of conscientious citizens, they will hand over the equipment to the building administration.
