Track Lost Or Stolen Mobile

How to Track Lost Device with Android Device Manager

The best thing about owning a mobile device is the mobility it provides; the worst thing is that being mobile raises the chances of you losing your devices in unimaginable ways. In circumstances where you actually lose a device, there are many third-party apps that can be used to track lost or stolen devices, but there are also dedicated tools for iOS and Android users.

For iOS devices, owners can track their iPhone, iPad or Mac with the Find my iPhone app. For Android users, the lesser-known equivalent is the Android Device Manager. Android Device Manager or ADM has been available in the Play Store since December 2013. In newer Android devices, ADM is pre-installed into your device.

We’re going to take a look at the features and functions of ADM that every Android user should know:

• How to track location of lost device with ADM
• How to bypass lock screen with ADM
• How to ring your device remotely with ADM
• How to erase data via ADM

NOTE:ADM requires Android 2.3 and above to function.

Setting up ADM

Use the Android Device Manager website

1. Sign in to your Google Account on android.com/devicemanager.
2. If you have more than one device, click the arrow next to the device name to select a different device.
3. Android Device Manager will show you the approximate location of the device selected.

Use the Android Device Manager app

If you have another mobile device, you can use the Android Device Manager app to locate your lost device. You need to have the Android Device Manager app installed on the device that you plan to use.

1. On the device that you have with you, open the Android Device Manager app .
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. Change the device displayed:
   • On your phone: Swipe along the bottom of the screen to see your devices.
   • On your tablet: Touch the arrow next to the device to select a device.
4. Android Device Manager will show you the approximate location of the device selected.

Use your Android Wear device

For Android Wear users, you can also use your watch to find your device if it's connected by Bluetooth.

Once you locate your device, you can remotely ring, lock, or erase it using Android Device Manager.

NOTE: Android Device Manager doesn't collect and store location history. It requests your device's approximate location when you first sign in, and this location data is deleted when you sign out of the device manager.

Remotely ring, lock, or erase a lost device

If you or a friend has lost a device, you can use Android Device Manager to remotely ring, lock, or erase the device if it's signed in to a Google Account. When Android Device Manager interacts with the device, it'll get a notification. You can also use Android Device Manager to show your device's location.

Important: Android Device Manager won't work for devices that are turned off or that don't have a Wi-Fi connection or mobile data connection with an active SIM card.

Remotely ring, lock, or erase a lost device

Tip: If you've linked your phone to Google, you can locate or ring it by searching for find my phone on www.google.com

Use the Android Device Manager website

Before erasing your device: Remotely erasing a device performs a factory reset, which removes all data from the device. While any data stored in your Google Account will be restored, all apps and their associated data will be uninstalled.

1. Sign in to your Google Account on android.com/devicemanager. If you're helping a friend with their lost device, we recommend opening an incognito tab in Chrome and having them sign in to the Google Account they use on their mobile device.
2. Click the arrow next to the device name to select the lost device. Android Device Manager will show the location of that device.
3. Select from the following options. You may need to enable Lock & Erase first.
   • Ring: Rings your device at full volume for 5 minutes — even if it's set to silent or vibrate.
   • Lock: Locks your device with a password if you don't already have one set.
   • Erase: Permanently deletes all of your data. Android Device Manager may not be able to wipe the content of an SD card in the device. After you erase the device, Android Device Manager will no longer work on it.
4. If you're helping a friend, they can sign out when they're finished by touching Sign out at the top of the screen. If they don't sign out, they'll be automatically signed out after 5 minutes of inactivity on the website.

Use the Android Device Manager app

If you have another mobile device or are using a friend's device, you can use the Android Device Manager app to remotely ring, lock, or erase the lost device. You need to have the Android Device Manager app installed on the device you plan to use.

Before erasing your device: Remotely erasing a device performs a factory reset, which removes all data from the device. While any data stored in your Google Account will be restored, all apps and their associated data will be uninstalled.

1. On the device, open the Android Device Manager app .
2. Sign in to your Google Account or if you're helping a friend, touch Device Manager at the top of the screen and touch Guest to have your friend sign in to the Google Account they use on their mobile device.
3. Click the arrow next to the device name to select the lost device. Android Device Manager will show the location of that device.
4. Select from the following options. You may need to enable Lock & Erase first.
   • Ring: Rings your device at full volume for 5 minutes — even if it's set to silent or vibrate.
   • Lock: Locks your device with a password if you don't already have one set.
   • Erase: Permanently deletes all of the data on the device. Android Device Manager may not be able to wipe the content of an SD card in the device. After you erase the device, Android Device Manager will no longer work on it.
5. If you're helping a friend, they can sign out when they're finished by touching Sign out at the top of the screen. If they don't sign out, they'll be automatically signed out after 5 minutes of inactivity in the app.