Is it possible to find a lost Android phone? Find my device from Google is a mobile application for finding lost devices. Call your number

Theft of a smartphone causes many problems. Basically, this is not only the loss of a gadget, but also personal information, which, in particular, is valued much higher than the smartphone itself. For some, this information is priceless. In this article I will suggest:

how to find a stolen Android phone if it is turned off;
what software to install to independently find a lost device;
how to secure personal data on a stolen gadget.

Finding a stolen, switched off phone

If your device is turned off, which is logical if it is stolen, standard actions such as making a phone call will not produce results. You need to act immediately to catch the thief in hot pursuit.

There are three ways to find your stolen device:

Contact law enforcement agencies.
Contact the operator cellular network, to determine the location of the gadget.
Use the software.

Let's specify each of the methods.

Search for a switched off smartphone by the police using IMEI code

Each phone is assigned an identifier - . It can be found under the battery of the device itself, find out using, using service code(*#06#), in the “about phone” settings, look in the smartphone’s packaging box.

When contacting the police, it is advisable to know this code. Also, take your passport, a contract for a SIM card and preferably visit the police station of the area in which the theft occurred. Write a statement detailing the theft and provide the above information.

Advice! Finding a phone by IMEI on your own is quite a difficult task. This will require access to equipment and databases of cellular operators. And in one case out of a thousand, data from free databases on the Internet can provide a real clue.

Search for a device by SIM card number

Cellular network operators can track all activity on a SIM card, down to its approximate location within the radius of a specific tower. Even if the smartphone is turned off, the SIM card will respond if it is within range of telecommunication systems.

Try to contact the operator directly, explain the situation and provide:

Device IMEI and phone number;
SIM card contract number.

Using the specified data, the operator will be able to find out information from the billing server’s memory.

Determining the location of a smartphone through the application

Almost every smartphone manufacturer offers solutions for finding a lost device in security and privacy settings. For example: Huawei - Find device, Samsung - Remote control. A popular and effective solution is software from Google:

- application for smartphone (on the page at the link you can find detailed instructions work with the program);
android.com/find- page on the Internet, login with your account.

But the problem with using programs is that preliminary configuration is required when the gadget is in your hands. Otherwise, they will be of no use in searching for a smartphone. In addition, no application will be able to remotely turn on the smartphone, especially if the battery is dead. But, programs can detect and inform the owner when the gadget becomes active.

Harsh reality

Finding a stolen smartphone will directly depend on you and your preset devices. In cities with a population of over a million, hundreds of mobile devices are lost every day. Such reports may not be a priority for the police, especially when there is little information about the loss:

IMEI not specified;
there is no sketch of the robber;
configured applications for searching for a missing smartphone, etc. are not installed.

If there is not enough information, police officers may dissuade you from writing a statement, since they know that there is practically no chance of finding the device.

The cellular network operator may refuse to provide you with billing data, saying that it does not have the right to do so without a court order, citing legislative framework, which does not regulate the work process in such cases.

If the consideration of the application is delayed, the thief can throw away the SIM card and change the IMEI code (a rather complex implementation on new devices that involves replacing the microcircuits in the smartphone. Only a technically trained specialist can do this), which makes further tracking of the smartphone in the operator’s database extremely difficult.

Anti-theft and device locator software

You won’t be able to protect yourself from possible theft, but you can reduce the risk of losing your device. Even if the device is irretrievably lost, your personal data will not fall into the hands of an attacker and can be restored. To do this, you can use the following tips and applications:

Find out and save the IMEI of your smartphone in a safe place;
Use a PIN code and a fingerprint scanner (or Face ID).
Important! If you lose your smartphone with a PIN code or fingerprint login, an attacker will not be able to access your data. To unlock the device, he will have to erase all data.
Install Find My Device or equivalent. Allows you to determine your location (if geolocation is enabled), make calls, lock the screen and delete all data. The application works through your Google profile.
Install Lookout antivirus or equivalent. Interesting because there is a function automatic saving information about the location of the smartphone when the battery charge decreases. The data is sent to the specified email.
Use paid antivirus on an ongoing basis. Good decision- Kaspersky Internet Security. The Anti-Theft function allows you to remotely turn on the siren, take a photo from the front camera, block access to the device or delete all personal data.
SIM Change Alarm. When you change the SIM card and turn on the device, the application will send two SMS to the specified number with information: IMEI of your smartphone and the number of the new one SIM cards, GPS coordinates devices.
Synchronize data that is important to you or.

I repeat, manufacturers also offer smartphone search services. Take Samsung for example. The findmymobile.samsung.com service can monitor when a smartphone is turned on, determine geolocation when it is turned off, and indicate the number new SIM card, lock your device and much more.

Advice! The article: "" analyzes trust programs that will help you find a smartphone with comprehensive capabilities, even with GPS turned off.

Personal data protection

The task is as follows:

save your data for future access;
restrict access to personal information to an attacker.

To fulfill the first rule you need to do backups(synchronize) data that is important to you. For example:

Photos can be synced with Google Photos.
Notes or important data can be stored in .
Duplicate books, videos, music in cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Mega, etc.).
Passwords can be stored in browsers' "passwords and forms" or analogs can be used (for example).

It's easy to restrict access to your data. Use a password (PIN code) on an ongoing basis, and if your device is stolen, use one of the services to delete all personal data remotely.

Unfortunately, cases of theft or loss of smartphones are not uncommon. When such a problem occurs, the question immediately arises of how to find the phone if it is turned off. Because at least you can make a call when the device is turned on. But if it is turned off, then most likely it is theft. So, let's figure out what needs to be done in such situations.

Knowing IMEI

You can find a switched off phone, be it an Android or an iPhone, using its unique code. These numbers are assigned to any device upon release; they are indicated on the case itself, battery, box or packaging.

You can also find out by typing in your phone *#06# , you will receive a service message with the equipment identification number.

This number is suitable for those who are used to being prepared in advance for any situation and, having your smartphone in hand, you enter the required combination of numbers and then write down the IMEI in a notepad.

So, no matter how, but you found out the device identifier, what to do with it?

File a police report about the theft of your gadget. Law enforcement agencies will search for him in their database. However, you should not rely too much on a quick result, since there are hundreds of similar lost mobile phones.

However, if you are very lucky, you can still find a switched off phone by IMEI.

Contacting SIM

At this point you will still need a unique identification number devices, but the trick is different. All operators mobile communications can find a switched off phone via satellite. GPS sends a signal to your SIM card. As soon as the card recognizes the signal, the nearest towers will notify about it cellular communication.

Based on their location, law enforcement agencies will be able to quickly find the mobile phone.

What is needed for this?

Go to your operator's nearest customer service center (or contact customer support by phone).
Provide your phone number and IMEI.
Enter the contract number for the SIM card.
You may also need your passport information.

This way, you can find a switched off smartphone by phone number more quickly.
In addition, knowing this, you can block your SIM card so that an attacker cannot gain access to your personal information.

Useful applications

If you are looking for how to find a switched off phone through a computer, here are some great programs for you.

When the device is turned off, both services will show its last location when it was turned on. These features include functions for ringing and blocking the phone, but they will become relevant if it is turned on.

Looking for an iPhone

On iOS devices built-in convenient function Find iPhone. Note that it must be activated before it is lost, otherwise it will be of no use. Immediately upon purchase, set up the program so that you can use it in the right situation.

With its help, you can track the location of the gadget online. If it is turned off, the program will show the last place where it was still in working mode. And he will report the coordinates when he appears online again.

The device will be searched on iCloud.com in the Find iPhone section.

In addition, Apple phones have a Lost Mode. By programming it in advance, you can specify specific text. For example, a request to call a specific number back if the device was found. This text will appear as soon as the smartphone is connected to charging.

How to protect yourself in advance

When purchasing a new device, a modern person must not only install all his favorite utilities on it, but also take care of its security, so that later he does not rack his brains about how to find it. lost phone, if it is turned off/on/discharged.

Be sure to put antivirus program avast! Mobile Security, which can be downloaded from active link or on Google Play.

After the installation is complete, go to Settings, set PIN Code Protection and Deletion Protection.

Then download from the play store avast app! Anti-Theft, this feature will protect the data on your phone from the hands of an attacker. In order for the application to work, you need to create an account with Avast. Go to id.avast.com and find Create account now. Enter your email and password.

Launch avast! Anti-Theft:
Enter a name.
Enter your PIN code
Indicate your friend's phone number to which an SMS will be sent if the SIM card in the device is changed. This feature can help you find a stolen phone. Indicate the number of your husband/wife, mother, close friend or your second contact.
Now, in Account Settings, enter your phone number and password.

This way you have linked your Avast account to your Android. Now, if your smartphone is stolen or lost, you can perform the necessary actions with it directly on the avast.com website in your account.

Search for a gadget using the application

If you are so lucky that it was not in vain that you prepared and installed the programs described above, and ended up losing your phone, you will be able to control it via SMS.

Let's say that a person inserted another SIM card into the device instead of yours. You will immediately find out about this through a message that will be sent to the number left as a backup. Now from this backup phone send commands to new number in your mobile.

Commands must be written in this form: pin code “command” (separated by a space). For example, if your pin is 111111, then the commands will look like this:

111111 LOST – reports that the phone has been lost;
111111 LOCK – device locking;
111111 UNLOCK – unlocking;
111111 SIREN ON – turn on the siren;
111111 SIREN OFF – turn off the siren;
111111 LOCATE – gadget detection.

A complete list of commands can be found on the website avast.ru/free-mobile-security-b.

Bottom line

Now you know whether you can really find your phone if it is turned off and you can navigate in an emergency situation. Searching through a Google account will be relevant when the device is turned on, so we did not consider this method.

However, before you report it missing, think about whether it is lost somewhere at home: under a pillow, in a blanket, in the bathroom, even look in the refrigerator. There are often cases when your mobile phone's battery runs out and you forget where you left it at home. And you begin to think that it was stolen.

If you are sure that this is the work of a thief, be sure to contact the police.

No one is immune from the loss of a mobile phone: some people accidentally forget it in transport or in a cafe, while others simply have their modern gadget pulled out of their purse. However, modern technologies allow you to find your phone even when it is turned off. in various ways. We suggest you figure out how to find a switched off phone if an unpleasant situation arises when it is lost or stolen.

Modern mobile device can be found in several ways. The main thing to remember: the sooner you take action, the greater the likelihood of finding the loss as quickly 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 it was accidentally left somewhere and falls into the hands of conscientious citizens, they will hand over the equipment to the building administration.

Finding a switched off phone by IMEI

An effective method for detecting a mobile phone handset is by IMEI. For this purpose, you must contact the police by writing a missing person report.

For this procedure you will need to take the following steps:

copy imei code;
find an agreement for using a SIM card;
take a copy or original of your passport;
Having collected this simple list of items, go to any police station and write a statement.

Reference. IMEI is personal code, assigned to each mobile device.

You can find out the unique number by carefully examining the packaging of the gadget. This situation is one of the reasons why you should not throw away packaging materials immediately after purchasing new equipment, be it a smartphone or other gadget.

How to find a device by SIM card

How to find your phone if it is turned off? Quick option at least determine the location of the mobile phone - call the call center of your cellular operator and ask to track down the SIM card. This is possible because the card receives the signal even when the device is turned off. Digital equipment cellular companies allows you to send a request for a specific SIM card via satellites and GPS devices. As soon as the card receives the signal, its location will be calculated.

In order for the operator to perform the necessary actions, he needs to provide his phone number, unique code from the device box and the number of the concluded contract with the cellular company.

Special program for Android phones

Another very convenient method to find an Android phone is through a computer, using a program specially designed for this. You need to download it to your device as soon as possible after purchasing it in order to link your phone number. It can be found on the Play Market.

To track the signal, you need to call your phone from your computer. If the gadget is outside the network coverage area, the program will still be useful: it can be used to delete personal information or simply block the device so that potential attackers cannot take advantage of it.

Important! The method will only work if the smartphone itself is turned on. Moreover, the Internet and GPS functions must be active on it.

How to protect yourself from theft and loss of your smartphone

Simple steps will help reduce the risk of theft and accidental loss of your mobile phone.

They are as follows:

Increase the security of data stored on your mobile device. The easiest way is to set PIN codes on the SIM card and the phone itself. The code must be a complex combination of numbers. On modern smartphones it is also possible to put graphic key, which is even more difficult to guess than a digital password.
Immediately after purchasing a new gadget, write down its unique IMEI code into a simple notepad that will always be available. Even if the phone is stolen and the packaging is lost, you will know where to get the necessary information.
Another action that needs to be performed immediately after purchasing a smartphone is installing a program with which you can increase the chance of detecting its location.
A stolen phone can be hacked by skilled scammers, so there is a risk of losing personal data. Store them in the cloud - online storage.
In public places, you should keep your phone as close to you as possible. So, if they try to pull him out, you will feel it. Carrying it in your back pocket is not the best best option. In a crowd, an attacker can easily pull out a gadget unnoticed and quickly disappear.

It is worth noting that by listening to music from your smartphone in public places, you thereby reduce the risk of it being stolen. If an attacker does risk taking out your mobile phone, you will know about it instantly.

Be careful! Make every effort to secure your phone from theft and never leave it unattended, for example in your purse, in a store or on a cafe table.

The loss or theft of a mobile phone can not only greatly upset the owner, but also cause serious problems. Often the smartphone is stored confidential information, access codes electronic wallets, personal photographs. Attackers can use this data. Modern technologies allow you to return your gadget and protect your personal information. To do this, you need to know how to find a phone through a Google account from a computer.

A quick way to find your phone

How to find a phone using Google

You can find your mobile phone using " Remote control Android”, indicating its approximate location on the map. When the satellite determines where the search object is, the smartphone will receive an alert.

To use this feature, you must first register your smartphone with your Google account and open access to geodata. “Android remote control” will only help if the mobile phone is turned on and is also in the zone Wi-Fi actions and mobile network. In addition, you need to activate this service in the Android security settings. To do this, select “device administrators” and launch remote control.

You need to start your search as early as possible, then you are more likely to return your smartphone before the battery runs out or the attackers log out of your account.

To do this, you need to follow the step-by-step guide:

On your computer, enter address bar browser link google.com/android/devicemanager
Log in to the Google account to which your gadget is authorized.

Click the arrow next to the device name and select the one you need.
After a few seconds, the location of the search object will be indicated on the map.

A window immediately opens with the functions “Ring”, “Block” and “Clear”.

It is very convenient to use the “Call” function when the smartphone is nearby. By sound signal it will be easy to detect. The call lasts 5 minutes even when silent mode is turned on.

If the device is stolen and cannot be returned, then enable a lock or erase of all data.

You should know that the Android Remote Control feature does not save the location of the gadget. The system requests its approximate coordinates from the satellite when logging into your account, and after logging out, this geodata is deleted.

How to find a phone using GPS via a computer

Monitoring mobile networks allows you to determine the current location of a mobile communication device by identifying the interaction of a GPS signal with subsequent assessment of the speed of the response signal from nearby cell towers.

To find a phone number via satellite for free from a computer, it must have a built-in or connected GPS communicator. It is important that in Android settings GPS has been activated. To enable it, you need to go to the “Location” tab.

It is recommended to use proven services for searching. The website maps-info.ru allows you to connect to satellite monitoring. To get acquainted with the service, you can (free of charge for a limited number of times) define using GPS location smartphone. There is also a free and verified GPS service GLONASS MONITORING.

To use this service you need:

Connect to satellite monitoring in the “Free monitoring” section.
Register on the website, fill out the request form, providing the necessary information.
After authorization, a field will appear for entering the lost mobile phone number. The system will immediately begin monitoring and information about the location of the device will appear on the screen.

How to locate a phone by IMEI

IMEI - international identifier mobile equipment, or individual serial number telephone number, consisting of 15 digits. IMEI can be found on the packaging box, the device case under the battery, or when entering *#06# on your phone.

It is useless to try to solve the problem in this way on your own, since it is impossible to find a lost Android phone by IMEI through a computer, even for money. By law, mobile operators cannot provide information about the location of the device. Only law enforcement agencies have the right to search for a mobile phone from a satellite using IMEI. Therefore, you need to file a police report. She makes her own requests mobile operators to determine which SIM card is installed in the phone with the desired IMEI. Only then will the operator provide access to the identifier database to authorized persons.

Knowing how to find a lost Android phone via a computer, GPS or Google account can be useful if it is stolen or lost. But even if the search is not successful, you can remotely block the device and protect personal data.

Hello dear owners modern gadgets.)) Today we’ll digress a little from the topic of website building. I'll tell you how I almost "seed" my smartphone and how to find the phone through a Google account, as well as how to protect all your data on mobile phone and how to recover lost records telephone numbers and much more. Read carefully, this article will be useful to everyone who is unlucky, like me.(((

Fortunately, or unfortunately for me, my smartphone served me faithfully for 4 years. Probably it should have been changed a long time ago, well, what a blessing it would be, but misfortune helped.

It was a pity not so much for the device itself as for the data that was on it, and this is the most valuable data for me: access to WM and Qiwi electronic wallets, access to websites and my blog, not to mention a bunch of photos and home videos...((( Of course I got scared here.

But looking ahead, I’ll say that I later found the device in the yard in the March snow, it didn’t even turn off - this made my search easier. But first things first)))

Now I’ll tell you a little about the story...

Smartphones accompany us everywhere. They are at home with us, we take them to work, but sometimes it happens that you put it down, or left it in a place like me that we can’t remember. What then? How to find a phone and is it possible? Fortunately, every mobile platform: Android, iOS or Windows Phone has functions that allow you to track the location of gadgets.

Have you lost your phone? Now you can easily take a bearing on it

A service from Google has become available - to find your smartphone through your account, and which should become an antidote to “sclerosis”.)) Unfortunately, it is not perfect, and, most likely, will not help people who have been robbed by thieves.

How to track equipment with android?

Mechanism for tracking lost smartphones or tablet running on Android designed Google service called Android Device Manager (Android device manager). Android application is a tool from Google that allows you to track or block your phone from the mobile system.

It is closely related to your Google account, which, in turn, represents the digital identification of the owner of a smartphone or tablet running Android.

But that's not all: without included software GPS cannot track the device. Thus, you must go to the location folder in Android settings and launch GPS.

How to track an Android smartphone using an app

If your smartphone has been stolen, then launch the Android application on another device with this system as quickly as possible. After that, sign in using your Google account and password. The application will display everything existing devices from Android. Now you just need to select one of them and the manager will show the approximate location.

Note: The application tracks the gadget via GPS only if it is turned on and connected to the network via 3G or Wi-Fi.

How to track an Android smartphone from a browser

In cases where we don't have another Android device, you don't have to worry. The tracking service also works from a web browser.
Just go to the website Android control via the link. You will be prompted to sign in to your Google account.

After you do this, the page will display a map with the location of devices with operating Android system.
If your smartphone is nearby but you can't see it, use the Call command. The device will start ringing high level, and will ring for five minutes.

How to block an Android smartphone

Just because you can't find your lost or stolen phone using geolocation doesn't mean everything is lost. Maybe you just forgot where you left your smartphone and it wasn't stolen.

Using the dispatcher Android devices you can block it from another Android device or from a computer using an Internet browser. Just select a function "Block".

Also you can install New Password for your gadget, which is not limited to a four-digit PIN code. In addition, you can set a message that will be displayed on the screen of a locked device. This could be your second number or the number of a friend whose courtesy you will use.

In this case, if your smartphone is in the hands of an honest person, he can call you from a locked device.

How to erase data from an Android smartphone?

If the device is not connected to the network, the information will be erased the moment it is connected.

When you no longer have any chance or hope that your device will be found, then, first of all, you need to protect your personal data stored on your smartphone. Using Android Device Manager, you can erase all data and restore it to factory settings.
Just click on the menu item "erase" and agree with the consequences of such a step.

Unfortunately, this is a rather harsh measure. By erasing data, you will lose everything: files, applications, documents, photos, music. Although the data that was intended to create an account Google posts will be restored later, other data will disappear forever.

Maps are often used for smartphones external memory(MicroSD), where various data is stored. The function of erasing information from the phone may not work on such a card.

Alternative: Lookout

Today almost every operating system for mobile devices has additional features protection.

A good example is the Lookout package. In addition to built-in antivirus and phishing detection systems and malicious applications Lookout is able to track a lost or stolen phone. To be able to use this option, you must have GPS device and the Internet is simply necessary.

If lost, you need to go to the Lookout page and the position of your phone or tablet should appear on the map. In this case, you can set an alarm and send a message to your locked screen.

The Lookout service will send a message by email about the location of the device. All features are free.

If you want to lock or erase your phone with Lookout, you must have a premium account. Within paid services There is also an option to take a photo of the person who is in at the moment holding your phone. Additionally, Lookout will send an email the moment someone tries to remove the SIM card and turn on airplane mode.

Alternative: Avira Antivirus Security

Avira Antivirus Security mainly used as antivirus scanner. However, it does have a phone tracking feature. In order to use it, you must subscribe to the Avira service.

With this application, you can quickly track your gadget from another device or browser. Simply log into Avira and it will show you the device's location. Using the browser, you can trigger an alarm or call a lost phone. Avira also has a device lock and wipe feature.

Google and its "helped me" search engine navigation,” although I roughly suspected where I could have scolded him. Therefore, after checking on Google, I realized that he was somewhere nearby. Running out of the yard and coming to the place where we played with the children, I easily found my gadget. I enjoyed it)).

Despite this, I bought another smartphone on Windows Phone 8.1. And I plan to talk about actions in case of loss of this device in my next blog, of course, if you want it, dear readers. Write in the comments.

Bye bye!

Best regards, Roman Chueshov

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