Stolen, forgotten, or simply misplaced, a lost phone can be a very stressful experience. Whether you use an Android or an Apple device, fortunately, there are effective tools for remotely locating your phone.
In this article, we'll explain step by step how to do it, and we'll also discuss useful apps for tracking the location of your loved ones if necessary.
Prerequisites for locating a phone
Before even talking about location tracking, you need to make sure that certain conditions are met. These settings are often enabled by default, but it's best to double-check. Here's what you absolutely must have enabled to hope to remotely find a phone, whether it's Android or iOS:
Location enabled on the device
To be able to geolocate a phone, the location service must be enabled in the system settings.
- On Android: Settings > Security & Location > Location
- On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. If location is turned off at the time of loss, it will be impossible to track the device in real time.
A connection to the mobile network or Wi-Fi
Most location tracking tools require an internet connection to work. Without a network (data or Wi-Fi), you won't be able to get the device's current location—but some options allow you to see the last known location, which can help.
A configured Google or Apple account
- For Android, you must be logged into a Google account and have activated the “Find my device” function.
- For iPhones, you need an Apple ID (iCloud) associated with the phone, with the “Find My iPhone” option enabled.
Locate an Android phone with Google
If you're using an Android smartphone, you can locate it using Google's built-in "Find My Device" feature. This free service lets you track your phone's location remotely and interact with it if necessary.
Enable the “Find My Device” feature
By default, this feature is enabled on recent Android devices, provided you use a Google account. To check or enable this option:
- Open your phone's Settings
- Go to Security & Privacy, then Find My Device
- Make sure the switch is turned on. It's also recommended to turn on Google Location History, which allows you to access the phone's last known location if it's offline. For more information, you can visit Google's official device location page.
Locate the device from another device or computer
If you lose your phone, here's how to locate it:
- Go to google.com/android/find
- Sign in with the same Google account associated with the phone
- Select the device in question (if you have more than one) and Google will show you the phone's current location on a map, or its last known location if it's turned off or offline. From this interface, you can also:
- Make the device ring, even if it is in silent mode
- Secure the device
- Restore the device to factory settings
These actions are useful in case of theft or loss in a public place, especially if you have stored sensitive data on your smartphone.
Locate an iPhone with the “Find My” app
On iOS, Apple offers a native feature called “Find My.” It not only lets you locate a lost iPhone, but also lets you remotely protect your data. This feature can be accessed from another Apple device or through the iCloud website.
Enable the “Find My iPhone” feature
For location tracking to work, this option must be enabled in your iPhone's settings. Here's how to check:
- Open Settings
- Tap your name (at the top of the screen), then tap “Find My”
- Select Find My iPhone
- Enable the following options:
- Find My iPhone
- Locate Network (useful even if the device is offline)
- Send last location.
These settings allow the device to be located even if it is turned off or disconnected, provided that it was still powered on at the time of the last sync. Apple offers a complete guide on this topic on its help page: support.apple.com
Locate iPhone from another device or via iCloud
In case of loss, you can use:
- The “Find My" app on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac to sign in to the same Apple ID
- The icloud.com website from a browser
Once logged in, you will access a map displaying:
- The current position of the iPhone
- Or its last known position
From this interface, several actions are possible:
- Make the device ring
- Mark as lost: This locks the screen and displays a personalized message
- Erase iPhone: As a last resort, to remotely delete all data
Prevention is better than cure
It's better to anticipate a loss than to have to deal with everything in a hurry. Here are some useful precautions you can take today to strengthen your phone's security and make it easier to recover.
- Check account recovery options: In the event of a loss, your Google or Apple account becomes your entry point. Make sure your recovery information is up to date (secondary email address, emergency number, security questions). This will allow you to easily log back in remotely.
- Clearly identify your device: On both Android and iOS, you can add your contact information to your lock screen or wallpaper. If you lose your phone, a legitimate person can contact you even without unlocking it.
- Note down your phone's IMEI number: The IMEI is a unique identifier. In case of theft, it can be communicated to the operator or law enforcement. To retrieve it: type *#06# into the phone's keypad, or check the original box. Remember to save it somewhere other than the phone.
- Know the right reflexes in case of loss: Always act quickly when you lose your phone. Sign in to your Google or Apple account from another device. Locate it, lock it, or erase data if necessary. Notify your operator to suspend the line if necessary
Stay in control, even when the unexpected happens
A lost phone doesn't necessarily mean lost data or a stolen device. Provided you've enabled the right settings, you can act quickly, limit risks, and sometimes even find your smartphone where you least expected it.
Set up ‘Find My Phone’ now, and you'll be ready to face any inconvenient situation without panic.
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