How to find a lost phone

This article has been updated. Originally published July 30, 2017.

Panic sets in: your phone is missing. You've searched everywhere, but it's vanished. The inconvenience is immense, considering our reliance on smartphones for everything from banking to social media. Losing your phone means losing contact with loved ones, jeopardizing work commitments, and disrupting travel plans. Reclaiming your device is paramount.

Fortunately, both iOS and Android offer built-in tools to help locate lost phones. However, these features require prior setup. If you're reading this after your phone has gone missing and haven't configured these tools, the only advice is to retrace your steps and ask a friend to call your number. Also, if theft is suspected, contact law enforcement immediately and provide any information your recovery app offers; do not attempt to recover it yourself.

Locating a Lost iPhone

Apple's "Find My" app, integrated into iOS, uses your Apple ID to track your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple devices. Remember your Apple ID password or store it securely in a password manager.

Setup:

1. Open your iPhone's Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top.
3. Select your iPhone from the device list.
4. Turn on "Find My iPhone" and "Send Last Location."
5. Ensure Location Services are enabled (Settings > Privacy > Location Services).

Recovery:

1. Access icloud.com/find on any computer or use the Find My app on another Apple device.
2. Log in with your Apple ID.
3. A map will display your iPhone's location.
4. Tap the location dot to see battery level and last reported time. Note: Location data is unavailable if the phone is off or has a dead battery.
5. Use "Play Sound" to locate a nearby phone.
6. Use "Mark As Lost" to remotely lock the device, display a message, and prevent Apple Pay transactions.
7. As a last resort, use "Erase This Device" to remotely wipe your phone's data. Remember to restore from a backup if you recover the device.

Locating a Lost Android Phone

Android devices utilize a similar "Find My Device" feature.

Setup:

1. Open Settings > Google > Find My Device.
2. Toggle the switch to enable the feature.
3. Ensure Location Services are enabled (Settings > Location).

Recovery:

1. Visit google.com/android/find on a web browser or use the Find My Device app on another Android device.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. A map shows your phone's last known location. (Tip: Search "where's my phone?" on Google while logged in.)
4. Use the "Play Sound" option to locate a nearby phone (rings for 5 minutes). Remember that the location shown is the last known location with an internet connection.
5. Use "Secure device" to lock your phone, sign out of your Google account, and display a message.
6. Use "Erase device" as a last resort to wipe your phone's data. Remember to back up your data beforehand.

Third-Party Options

While Apple and Google provide robust solutions, third-party apps offer additional features. Cerberus (Android) and Prey Anti-Theft (Android and iOS) allow remote camera/screenshot capture, custom lock screen messages, and more, but often require subscriptions. Google Maps' timeline might also show your phone's last known location, even without dedicated phone-finding apps enabled.

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