Need to learn how to track your Android smartphone or other mobile device? Here are three great options, each of which can help you pinpoint your device.
Losing your smartphone can be an absolute nightmare. Not only does your smartphone have all of your most precious photos, videos, and chats saved on it, but it may have information of a more sensitive nature too (like banking apps). That’s a big part of the reason why we all experience that familiar skipped heartbeat when we realize our phone isn’t where we expect it to be. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can keep track of all of your smart devices, whether phones or tablets, and even smartwatches.
There are a couple of built-in ways to track your devices, including Google’s Find My Device app that’s built into Android, and Samsung’s SmartThings Find service. But there are a lot more options than just that, and there’s a thriving marketplace of third-party tracking apps as well.
But before we start, a note on using tracking apps: these apps should only ever be used to track your own devices, and never to track other people without their consent.How to track any Android phone or device
The best and easiest way to track any Android is through Google’s built-in tools. Find My Device is Google’s own tracking software, and the best part about it is it’s automatically turned on when you sign into your Google account on any device. That means you don’t need to worry about setting it up, and can simply turn to it when needed. Find My Device is available on all Android devices from Android 8.0 Oreo and newer.
If you want to find a device using another one, then you’ll need to download the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store. However, you don’t need this app downloaded on the device you’re trying to find, thankfully.
Step 1: If you want to make sure it’s turned on, then you can do so by heading to Settings > Security & privacy > Find My Device. Make sure Use Find My Device is toggled on.
Step 2: When you need to find your device, you can either access Find My Device through the website, or the app on another device.Using the Find My Device website
Using the website is the best option if you don’t have another device on you, as it can be used from any computer with web access. Don’t forget to sign out of your Google account if you’re using a public device, though. The list of options will vary depending on device.
Step 1: Head to the Find My Device website.
Step 2: When you’re signed into your Google account, you’ll see a list of your devices, along with location, battery level, any connected Wi-Fi networks, and the last time they were seen online.
