There are several ways to track a mobile phone in case of loss or theft. The main methods include:
- Monitoring your device using your Google Account
- positioning by GPS navigator;
- connection to icloud service;
- IMEI tracking
- search by phone number.
Using several methods at once will surely find the phone even when it is turned off or when changing a card. You can test various ways to determine how best to track your phone. The monitoring method can be selected depending on the city or settlement, namely the number of communication towers, models and software of the device.
Linking to a Google account allows you to search for a device by GPS and wi-fi even if the phone is turned off or the card is replaced. An additional useful feature will be remote control, which allows you to completely clear the device of all data, thereby preserving the user's confidential personal information.
The icloud service makes it possible for iPhone owners to track a missing mobile phone using the service, using the loss mode, and also block it in remote access.
Location Definition Example
Ways to search by phone number
If you want to track a phone number, you can use several options:
- get information from the mobile network operator;
- install a beacon;
- determine the location using special programs;
- track the individual device number.
Next, we consider the algorithm of actions in each of the cases.
You can monitor the device remote from another device
Getting information from the operator
If the device is lost or stolen, you can always contact the mobile network operator whose services you used and write a statement about determining the last location of the device using the GPS navigator. As a rule, such a service is provided if the device is turned on or calls were made from it or incoming calls were received. Any operator can provide information on the movement of the telephone from the moment of loss or theft to the moment it is turned on.
When contacting a mobile network operator with a statement on the provision of data on the location of the device, it will definitely need to indicate:
- Last date of account replenishment;
- more than two numbers to which calls were most often made;
- additional data that can confirm ownership of the specified phone number if it is not personified.
To improve this method, it is recommended to additionally connect GPS tracking and install programs that allow monitoring the location of the device and its complete blocking, for example, "Android Remote Control"," Mom knows. "
This method will be informative only when the SIM card has not been replaced, and in this way it will not be possible to track the switched off phone.
Additionally, some operators provide tracking in GPS mode. As a rule, this option is paid and is connected in addition to the package. Thus, you can monitor the location of the device online even without the knowledge of the owner of the phone, but it will not be available if it is turned off.
In some programs, only the radius is determined, not a specific address
Search for a device by a special code
If you contact law enforcement agencies, the most reliable way to find a lost or stolen device is to search by a special code IMEI via the Internet, for example, on windowsphone.com and icloud.com. This code is unique to any device; it cannot be changed or overwritten. It allows you to search even if the device is turned off.
In order to determine if you have a phone, you need to dial * # 06 * and press the call. This code can be found under the battery of the device, in the passport and on the box.
The method is very often used by specialists not only to find a stolen phone, but also to identify it. Indeed, often for sale devices without documents and boxes are brought.
To search in special programs, law enforcement agencies need a check, box and warranty card, as well as a statement indicating the circumstances of the loss.
There are many programs, services that make it possible to track the location by phone number, but they are available only for iOS and Android. After installation on a computer or tablet, the program makes it possible to determine the approximate radius in which the device was last located and the frequency of its movement, for example, Location History, Navixy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of GPS Search
Significant advantages of finding a phone by GPS are the speed and free service. If there is a connected service, this can be done independently, without waiting for a request from law enforcement agencies.
To do this, you will need to dial a certain combination, depending on the mobile operator, the phone number that has been stolen or lost, after which its last registered location will be displayed on the card:
- Beeline offers the Latitude service, to enable it you need to send a message without text to 5166. After that, the Latitude application needs to be installed on the phone.
- MTS offers the Latitude service, in order to use it, you need to dial * 111 * 788 # on the phone.
- The TELE operator offers the Geopoisk service, to use it you need to dial * 119 * 01 #. To connect a tracking number, dial * 119 * 1 * 7xxxxxxxxxx #. To track the number, dial * 119 * 2 * 7xxxxxxxxxx #.
A significant drawback of this method is not completely informative and inaccurate, since the distance between the towers is uneven and in small towns it will be extremely difficult to determine the exact address, since the tower can disperse the service area up to several hundred meters.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that for reliable protection and for the ability to track and find your phone, it is better to install special software and connect the monitoring service that each mobile operator offers on a paid or free basis. It is also recommended to store documents from the device so that you can easily determine its IMEI code and search on it.
