How You Can Use Google Find My Device To Locate, Lock or Wipe Your Lost Android Device

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Google Find My Device happens to be one of the GoogleAndroid apps people have forgotten about. It's a valuable little app that comes in handy for individuals who are in the habit of misplacing their phones or devices. The app helps you locate your phone if you lose it in your apartment or even if it was stolen. The Find My Device is not only a Google App; it's also a service offered by the tech giant.

With it, you can track your devices, including Android phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. Besides tracking the phone, the app can also help you secure your phone from nosy people. If you want to know more about this wonder app, please read on.

To track the location of your device with the app, you have to meet certain criteria, and these include:

• Your device must not be faulty; it must be in perfect working condition

• You must turn on your device
• You must connect or sign in the device to your Google Account
• You must connect the device to mobile data or Wi-Fi
• Your device must be visible on Google Play
• Your device must have its location turned on
• Your Find My Device service must be active
• If you used your lost phone for 2-factor authentication, you must have a backup phone or backup code.

After dotting the i's and crossing the t's, you are good to go with the Find My Device services.

How to Use The App

If you misplaced any of your registered devices, be it an Android phone, tablet or smartwatch, you can find, lock or erase them. Once all the above requirements are checked, you can easily locate the device or devices. Below is a step-by-step method to remotely locate, lock or erase your lost device.

Step 1 - Go Online

Proceed to android.com/find and sign in to Google Account

Step 2 - Search For The Device From The App

Locate the device you lost on the top of your screen, especially if you have more than one device on Find My Phone.

Step 3 - Sign In With Your Main Profile On Google

If you possess more than one user profile on your lost phone, sign in with the main profile's Google Account.

Step 4 - Your Would Receive Notification

Immediately after that is done, the lost device or phone receives a notification.

Step 5 - Check Google Map For Location Details

On the screen of the device you are using, you would see on Google map information about the location of the phone or device. Note that the location presented by the app is approximate and might not be accurate. Do note that if you could not locate the lost device or phone, its last known location will be revealed to you if available.

Step 6 - Execute Enable Lock & Erase

Select any of the options presented to you – first click Enable lock & erase.

Step 7 - Remotely Play Sound On Your Phone

You have the option to remotely play sound on your phone even if you set it to silent or vibration before the time it was misplaced. You can ring it at full volume for five whole minutes.

Step 8 - Secure Your Device

Secure your device from prying eyes. You do this by either locking it with your PIN, pattern or password. However, in the absence of a lock, you have the power to set one. To make things more interesting, you can add a message or phone number to the lock screen to encourage the finder to return it to you.

Step 9 - Erase Your Device If You Cannot Find It

You can erase your device by permanently deleting all data. This will secure the personal data that you saved on your phone. However, the erase action might not delete your SD card data. This is the last resort because the Find My Device app will stop working on your phone after deleting it. When you now find the phone after erasing, you have to use your Google Account password to use it again. This means that whoever stole the phone cannot use it.

Conclusion

Now you know the easy steps in using Find My Device to locate your phone; never again shall you be a victim of a misplaced phone. Recall that the phone's location on Google Map is not accurate but approximate, so tread softly. Furthermore, when the chips are down and you cannot locate the phone, take the last option – erase your data to keep it safe. Finally, if you thus locate the location of your phone on the map, do exercise caution by contacting the police – do not try to play the hero.

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#Google Find My Device