Google, through its Google Maps platform, offers you the possibility of finding your lost Android smartphone. Additionally, this function can be used in case you have lost your Android tablet or your Wear OS watch.
The possibility of losing one of your Android devices will always be latent. So it doesn’t hurt to prepare yourself for this possibility. Even more so considering that in our devices we protect important information, and that they represent an asset with a certain economic value.
In this article we will be detailing the steps you must follow so that you can find your lost Android smartphone in Google Maps.
Requirements to meet to find your lost Android device
In order for you to have the ability to find your lost device, you must ensure that you meet certain requirements. These requirements are necessary for the “Find my device” function to find your smartphone.
One aspect that you should keep in mind is that these requirements can only be met by devices with Android 8.0 or higher versions.
Validate that “Find my device” is activated
- Enter the “Settings” application of your device.
- Select the option “Security” and then “Find my device”. In case you do not see the “Security” option, select “Security and location” or “Google” and then “Security”.
- Validate that the “Find my device” service is active.
- Confirm that the “Location” is activated
- Enter the “Settings” application of your device.
- Select the “Location” option. In case you do not see the “Location” option, go to the support website of your phone manufacturer to receive the respective support.
- Finally, activate the “Location” function.
Make sure Google Play visibility is turned on
- Go to play.google.com/settings.
- In the “Visibility” option, choose your smartphone.
You must bear in mind that if you hide your cell phone in Google Play, it will not be displayed in “Find my device”.
Activate 2-Step Verification backups
- Login to your Google Account.
- Select “Security”.
- Go to the “Access Google” panel, then select “Two-Step Verification.”
- Choose one of these alternatives:
- Backup codes.
- Alternative phone.
Keep in mind that if you choose to use 2-Step Verification for your account, you must have a backup code or an alternate phone. These options allow you to regain your access to the account in case you forget your password, or lose your smartphone.
Check if you can find your Android device
- Go to android.com/find.
- Login to your Google Account. If your Android device has more than one user profile, you must log in with the Google Account configured in the main profile.
- If you have more than one device, select the device in question at the top of the screen.
Find your lost Android smartphone on Google Maps
To proceed to find your Android cell phone from Google Maps, the following conditions must be met:
- Your device must be on.
- You must have a Google Account.
- The device must be connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile data network.
- Your smartphone Android must be visible on Google Play.
- Must have location enabled.
- The “Find my device” function must be activated on the phone.
Once the aspects described are met, you can proceed to find your phone on Google Maps.
Find, erase and lock your smartphone
- Go to android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account.
- In case you have more than one cell phone, select the one you have lost. You can locate it at the top of the screen.
- If the lost smartphone has more than one user profile, you must log in with the Google Account configured in the main profile.
- Your lost cell phone will receive a notification.
- For your part, you will receive information about the location of the phone on the map.
- Remember that the location is approximate and may not be exact.
- If you cannot find the smartphone, you can view its last location, if available.
- At this point you can choose to block and erase the information on the phone. Select the option “Enable lock and erase functions”, to have access to the following functions:
- Play sound: this function will make your phone ring at maximum volume for five minutes, regardless of whether it is in silent or vibrate mode.
- Lock device: with this alternative you will lock your phone with your password, PIN, or pattern. In case you haven’t configured the blocking parameter, you can do it.
- Delete device: when selecting this function will proceed to permanently erase all the data on your phone (you should consider that the content of the SD cards may not be erased). Once you delete the data, “Find my device” will not work on your smartphone.
If you find your Android device after erasing the data, you may need to enter your Google Account password in order to use it again.
How to find your smartphone with an app
- On another Android device, be it a cell phone or a tablet, go to the “Find my device App” app from “Find my device”.
- In case the device you are using does not have the app, you can download it from Google Play.
- Enter the application once downloaded and installed.
- If the lost phone is yours, select “Continue as (your name)”.
- If the lost device belongs to a friend, press “Access as a guest and allow him to access”.
- From this point you must follow the steps that we describe in the section “Find, erase and lock your smartphone”.