Find my device

Find My Device is Google's Android service for locating, ringing, locking or erasing a lost phone from another phone or computer.

Find my device: Find My Device is a Google service on Android that helps you locate a lost phone on a map, make it ring, lock it with a message or erase it. It needs a Google account on the phone, location and internet to be on, and the feature switched on.

Many people set it up only after they lose their phone, when it is too late. Check now that it is enabled in your Google settings and that location is on. Without a connection or with the phone switched off, you may only see the last known place, and a determined thief can switch the phone off at once. Keep another way in too, such as a second phone number for recovery, since the finder needs your sign-in.

Other layers add to it. A phone lock, a strong PIN and a recovery email stop thieves from using the phone. No tool helps if the thief keeps the phone switched off, so act quickly and change your passwords. Test the finder once a year by ringing your own phone. Write down the steps now, because stress makes them hard to remember later.

Tips

• Open Google settings today and confirm Find My Device is on and location is allowed.
• Keep a strong screen lock, so a thief cannot simply switch off the feature.
• Know your Google password and keep another device ready to sign in to the finder.

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