If you ever discover that your Android smartphone or iPhone has gone missing, don’t panic! Today’s smartphones come with built-in technology that will help you locate them if they’re misplaced, and even secure them if they’re truly lost.
For Android users, the Find My Device feature is available as an app, or can be used from a web page. You’ll need to have set up a Google account, and be signed into it, to use the service. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to use the app or web page to see a map with your registered devices automatically displayed.
If your device is nearby, you can tap Play Sound to ping the phone—just follow the sound to see if it leads you to your device. Even if the device is not in your immediate area, the ping may alert a good Samaritan who can pick it up and keep it safe for you. If your device isn’t nearby, you can tap Secure Device to lock it so no one can access it, and even add a message and phone number for anyone who does find it so that person can contact you.
Those with Samsung phones have an additional option. You can also track down a lost device via a special feature called Find My Mobile. To set this up on your Samsung device, go to Settings. Tap the setting for Security or Biometrics and Security, then select the setting for Find My Mobile. Then, if your device is misplaced, you can use the website to display its location or secure it.
iPhone users who’ve updated their operating system to iOS 13 or higher can use Apple’s Find My iPhone feature, which lets you use any iOS device to track down a missing phone and protect its data. To enable it, go to Settings, then tap your name, tap Find My, and finally tap Find My iPhone. Slide the toggle switch to the right to turn the feature on.
You can use Find My Phone on any other iOS device (like an iPad) to spot your missing phone on a map, and if it’s nearby, play a sound to identify where it is. You also have the option of activating Family Sharing so you can use another family member’s Apple device to find your own. If you can’t find your phone, simply tap Activate in the section for Mark as Lost. This mode lets you lock your phone so no one else can access it, and displays your contact information in case someone finds it.
Whether your smartphone gets left under a couch cushion, in a friend’s car, or at restaurant across town, you have the tools you need to find it and keep it secure.
How do I find my Phone from a desktop or laptop computer that is not an IOS device?
Hi Randall, thanks for your question. If you go to Apple’s website here, you can access the “Find my iPhone” feature on the phone from a computer.
I had the same question, and thank you for the useful information. Should that ever happen to me hopefully I will remember to come to this page and get the info to find it.
My phone says storage is full I have deleted most apps but nothing helps.
Hi Stanley, you can review your storage on your phone by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. While some apps can use quite a bit of storage, things like photos or videos can sometimes take up more space. If that’s the case, you can back up those things to iCloud. You can find more information about storage management on Apple’s website here and here.
I am Dominick Savona and I need my PUK code as I am locked out of my phone
Hi Dominick, I see that our agents were able to get you the PUKs for your phone. If you need any further assistance, you can give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.
Can you find an iPhone if the battery is completely dead?
That’s a great question, Kim. The iPhone will need to be powered on if you are wanting to locate it using the “Find my iPhone” feature.
I lost my Samsung a50 phone quite a few months ago. The Xfinity store stopped it from working on my service. I located the device in the vicinity of an area that is about 50 miles from me. I tracked down the store it has service with which is a Verizon store. What do I do from here?
Hi Barbara, thanks for your question. If the phone is not with us for service, you will want to contact the provider. At that time, you can reach out to them to see what the process is for reinstating service with that device. If you want to use it with our network, you will need to reach out to the provider to see about unlocking it and unblacklisting it if needed.
Does the android phone have to be on MY Google account? We have 5 phones on my CC account and each have their own Google account. I want to be able to locate any phone at any given time.
Hi Tom, it’s up to you to put whichever Google account you want on the phone, but you will have to log into that specific account on Google’s website to locate the phone.
Why does my Motorola one 5ga’s show H when somebody calls instead of LTE
Hi Christopher, thank you for your question! That usually means the phone is picking up a 3G network rather than an LTE network. If you’re having trouble at all with service, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with us here for further assistnace.
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I misplaced my phone but it’s turned off. It’s a Samsung Android phone. Could you help me track it plz?
Hi Roger, thanks for your post. I’m sorry to hear about what happened with your phone, unfortunately, we don’t have a way to track your phone.
My husband’s phone was stolen a few minutes ago. How do we proceed?
Hi Kathryn, thanks for your question. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s phone. Definitely give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our agents here and we’d be happy to suspend the line while you look for the phone or while you place the order for a new one.
how would you track a flip phone?
Hi TV, thanks for your question! We don’t have an option for tracking the flip phone the same way that we can a smartphone because it doesn’t have access to those apps or things like Find my iPhone or using a Google account to try and locate it. If your phone has been lost and if you need a replacement though, you can go online to your account here to order a new one, or you can call us from a different line at 800-686-4460 and we can place the order for you.