For a modern user, a smartphone has become not just an expensive toy, but also a place of work, study, and the possibility of communication with the whole world. Therefore, for many people, its loss can bring tangible financial and personal problems.
If the gadget is still lost, you can return it with a few simple tips. You can find a phone in several ways: it is important to understand that the choice of device search option depends mainly on the operating system on which it works. It can be an Android, iOS, or Windows Mobile system.
There are many ways that you can use on all systems to find a stolen phone, even if it is not connected to the Internet.
How to return the phone: general tips
Call or send SMS
Sometimes a simple phone call may be enough. If he was not abducted or disconnected, then there is a high probability that he will be found and returned to the owner.
Lost phone
If the call is not answered, then you need to send an SMS with information about the loss and a request to call back to the specified number. Precautions should be taken when meeting with someone who discovered the phone. It could be an attacker. The meeting must be scheduled in a crowded place during daylight hours. It’s better not to come alone, but to bring another person with you.
Search phone
It often happens that a lost device can end up in a bag, car or at home. It is worth checking carefully all possible places and things in the apartment and at work, before taking active action.
Contact your mobile operator
Regardless of whether the phone is turned on or not, the operator can track his SIM card using GPS.
If this fails, the operator will block the card so that thieves cannot use it to call or withdraw funds.
Contact law enforcement
If you know for sure that the smartphone was stolen, then the first thing to do is to file a complaint with the police. It is necessary to indicate the time and place of the disappearance and signs of the thief.
To search for a device through the police, it is desirable to have the following:
- make and model of the device;
- unique identification number;
- passport;
- purchase documents (check, receipt, box);
- phone picture.
The more information about the missing gadget the employees of the department will have, the greater the chance of finding the device successfully.
Stealing a phone from a bag
To advertise
An effective way could be an advertisement in newspapers or on Internet sites with a message about the loss and phone number. This is especially important if it is turned off.
Using IMEI
IMEI is a unique device number that is located on its battery, under the case, or on the box. Also, it can be recognized by dialing the call command * # 06 # in advance. This number must be entered into one of the registers of lost devices.
On the site you can check whether the gadget was wanted earlier, file an ad for disappearance, and read useful instructions on how to find a missing or stolen phone.
Attention! Perhaps fraud.It must be remembered that such sites do not provide location services for the device by IMEI. Only a mobile operator can do this.
How to find missing Android
In addition to the above, the Android system offers its users several ways to quickly find missing devices:
With a Google Account
If the device has a Google account, then you need to go to the site, enter the account username and password and enable remote control. If the device is on the network, the system will determine its location with an accuracy of 200 meters.
Also, the Google Maps service, which displays the history of the movement of the smartphone, will help in finding the phone. To do this, the "Geolocation" function must be enabled on it.
The phone must always have the location function turned on
Using app
There are several applications for finding the device that are installed in advance, and have several useful functions. Firstly, it is an opportunity to determine the position of the phone using geolocation, and if this does not work, then block all data on it.
Popular Android search engines:
- Lost Android - the application looks like a regular notepad, so the attacker will not even guess that it is transmitting data about the location of the gadget.
- Lookout - includes a signal beacon on the map, allowing you to find a phone with geolocation enabled at the address. The program has an integrated antivirus and a detailed system scan.
- Find my device - can signal a sound about the location of the gadget, which allows you to find even a hidden device.
Even now, phone theft is a frequent occurrence.
Using device manager
On every Android smartphone, you can use data administration to protect it. To do this, in the settings you need to find the item “Device Manager”, and allow the device:
- Erase user data
- change the screen lock code;
- lock screen.
How to find a lost Android phone if it is turned off
If the device is turned off or not in the network, you need to use your account and enable the "Lost Mode" function. This will block the device and prevent attackers from taking advantage of its functions.
You can disable this mode by entering a special password in your Google Account.
How to find missing iOS
The developers of iPhone smartphones have provided its owners with a wide range of services for searching for lost and stolen gadgets:
FindMyPhone recognized as the best app for finding a missing iOS device
Using an iCloud Account
To do this, you need to go from another device to the iCloud application or website, and activate the "Lost Mode" function. This will limit free access to the gadget and display on the main screen a message about the loss of user contact information.
The iCloud function also includes deleting all user information from a smartphone. This completely blocks the device, making it unsuitable for further use without entering a special password. True, returning deleted data in case the device is found is no longer possible.
Using the application
Several useful applications will help you find a lost device:
- Find iPhone - the most popular application has the following functions: blocking data, displaying a message about the loss to the main screen, giving a sound signal;
- Tracker Plus - in addition to the above features, it allows you to build a route for moving the smartphone. For this, an Internet connection is not necessary, only the “Geolocation” function is enabled;
- Contact if found - the application allows you to display information about the owner on the desktop screen saver.
Log in to the Google app or iCloud to find your missing smartphone.
How to find a missing iOS phone if it is turned off
If the device is turned off, it is impossible to detect its current location. But, using the iCloud service, you can find out the location of the device before turning it off. To do this, you must enable the “Find my phone” and “Geolocation” functions in the settings in advance.In the future, the application will show the label of the last activity of the smartphone.
Unfortunately, this feature is only for iOS 8 and above. On earlier models, it is not supported.
How to find a missing Windows Phone
For devices on Windows, there is a search from the Microsoft website account. If the smartphone has been authorized in the system, the “Phone Search” function will show its current location.
If the phone was turned off (or discharged), then using a Microsoft account, you can block or delete personal user data.
Useful Tips
Some useful tips to protect your phone from theft and protect your personal data.
- You need to register in advance with Google and iCloud services - this is the most effective way to find the device.
- Setting a password or pattern on your phone will prevent the thief from gaining access to personal data.
- The enabled “Geolocation” function will provide constant tracking of the device on the map.
- The faster measures are taken to find the phone and block the SIM card, the more likely it is to avoid losing funds from the account and leak personal information.
