Losing your phone can induce instant panic. After all, our phones contain sensitive personal information, precious memories, and provide access to our digital lives. So what should you do if your Samsung phone goes missing? Follow this expert guide on foolproof ways to track down your device and secure your data.
Why Being Able to Track Your Phone Matters
Our phones store massive amounts of private data – think banking info, IDs, photos. They also provide access to emails, social media accounts and more.
So losing your phone isn‘t just losing a device – it‘s potentially handing the keys to your digital life over to whoever ends up with your phone. This makes being able to track and secure your device vital.
Fortunately, Samsung provides powerful tools to locate and remotely lock lost or stolen phones. Whether left behind in a cab or pickpocketed on the bus, this guide will teach you how to track down your Samsung.
Method 1: Use Samsung‘s Find My Mobile Service
Samsung‘s proprietary Find My Mobile service, part of SmartThings Find, allows tracking your Samsung device anywhere. But first, some setup is required for it to work properly when needed:
Enable Find My Mobile
Dive into Settings > Biometrics and Security > Find My Mobile and toggle on. Can also access via Settings > Samsung Account > Find My Mobile. This allows tracking devices even when offline.
Set Up Remote Controls
Under Find My Mobile settings, enable options for Remote Unlock, Send Last Location and Offline Finding. This is crucial for tracking and controlling device if battery dies or it goes offline.
Log Into Samsung Account on Computer
Once set up on your phone, visit findmymobile.samsung.com and sign into your Samsung account on a computer or another device. This grants access for tracking tools.
Use Map to Locate Lost Phone
Under the Devices tab, select your phone. A map pops up showing the phone‘s last known location. If not accurate, location access may not have been enabled previously.
Make Your Phone Ring
Even if on silent, you can make your lost Samsung ring loudly for 1 minute by selecting Ring from the menu. This helps find it under couch cushions or in a friend‘s car.
Remotely Lock Your Phone
Worried it was swiped? Remotely lock by choosing Lock Device and creating a secure new PIN. Add emergency contact details for good Samaritans. This blocks anyone from accessing private data.
Erase Data as a Last Resort
If confident it can‘t be retrieved, erase all data as a precaution. Note this deletes everything permanently unless you have backup. Recommend only using if device location is untraceable.
Method 2: Use Android Device Manager
All Androids, including Samsung, can be tracked via Google‘s Android Device Manager online portal. It works similarly to Find My Mobile:
Access Android Device Manager
On a computer or other device, visit android.com/find. Easy! No app download required.
Sign Into Google Account
Input credentials for the Google account linked to your Samsung phone. Make sure to use account set up on lost phone.
Locate Phone on Map
A map pops up indicating your device‘s last known location. For accuracy, location services needed to be enabled on the phone beforehand.
Remotely Ring, Lock or Erase
Like Find My Mobile, Android Device Manager lets you ring, lock or erase your Samsung if missing. Select these options from the navigation menu.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Tracking App
For additional tracking capabilities, various third-party apps help locate and secure lost Samsung devices:
Cerberus Anti-Theft
Cerberus offers robust location tracking paired with plenty of security features. These include stealth camera capture, recording surrounding audio and keeping an activities log. One of the most powerful options.
Prey Anti-Theft
Prey leverages automatic daily location check-ins to monitor device. If phone goes missing, you can track via GPS plus remotely gather info like WiFi networks in area or snap pics.
Where‘s My Droid
Where‘s My Droid differentiates itself with radar-style mapping that shows proximity to lost phone using loud ringer. Also lets user remotely change lock screen to show "call me" message.
Note these apps require downloading to Samsung device first. Subscription fees may apply for full functionality.
What To Do If All Else Fails
If you can‘t locate device through any above tracking methods, take the following last resort actions:
Contact Carrier
Report lost or stolen Samsung phone to carrier immediately. Provide phone number, IMEI and model details. They can disable device, prevent fraudulent charges and try to recover it.
File Police Report
Give authorities any identifying details on your phone make, model and appearance. Also provide IMEI or serial number connected to device. The more unique details the better to identify it.
And for peace of mind if phone isn‘t located, most carriers allow remote wipe and disabling of phones reported lost or stolen.
Pro Tips for Protecting Your Phone
Set yourself up for phone-finding success with these handy preparatory tips:
Enable Location Settings
For accurate tracking via Find My Mobile or Android Device Manager, switch on location services on your phone. This allows mapping your position.
Back Up Your Data
Routinely back up contacts, photos and other data to Samsung Cloud or via third-party cloud storage apps. This lets you restore info to a replacement device if original can‘t be recovered.
Record Identifiers
Note the IMEI/serial number and make/model details for your Samsung and keep in a safe place. This aids reporting lost phone to authorities or carriers.
Add Lock Screen Message
Display owner info like your phone number or address on the Galaxy phone‘s lock screen. Note you can also show a custom message for anyone who finds your device.
So don‘t panic if your Samsung goes MIA. Follow the expert techniques outlined above to smoothly track down and secure your phone, along with the invaluable personal data inside. Stay calm and track on!
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about tracking down lost Samsung phones:
Can I track my Samsung if it‘s powered off?
Unfortunately Find My Mobile and Android Device Manager cannot locate phones that are turned off. But having Offline Finding enabled will allow tracking location history next time it comes online.
I lost my phone before I set up any tracking apps – now what?
First, try reaching it by dialing your number. If no response, contact your carrier to disable service and protect data. Also file a police report citing phone details in case it was stolen and surfaces later.
If I lost my Samsung, can I track it using my friend‘s Samsung?
Yes, just log into your Samsung/Google account on their phone to access Find My Mobile, Android Device Manager or a third-party app and attempt to track your phone that way.
What should I do if my phone was stolen?
Start by changing passwords on accounts accessed via phone. File a police report citing identifying details on the device model, IMEI number, etc. Also notify carrier to disable service. Remotely wiping via tracking tools above provides extra security.
