How to Find an Android Phone That's Lost or Stolen

Track your Android phone when you misplace it

By
Christina Wood
Christina Wood
Christina Wood
Writer
Christina Wood has been covering technology for 15+ years. She has contributed to Family Circle, PC World, PC Magazine, CIO, Yahoo and many other publications.
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Updated on December 2, 2021

What to Know

  • Search "find my phone" on Google. If you're logged in to your Google account, your device's location shows up on a map.
  • If the phone is nearby, select Ring below the map, and Google turns the ringer on even if it's on silent.
  • If you have a Google Home device and a linked Google account, you can say, "Hey Google, where's my phone?"

Google offers an easy way to locate a lost Android phone. If your phone is connected to your Google account, you can find your Android phone using Google.com and its Find my phone feature.

How to Locate Android Phone Using Google.com

  1. Go to Google.com and type “Find my phone” into the search engine. 

    Find my phone in the Google search engine

  2. If you're logged into your Google account from your web browser, and your phone is turned on and connected to the internet, it will show up on a map. 

    Android phone location on Google Maps

  3. If you have a smartwatch, a tablet, or another phone that's also connected to the internet and logged into your Google account, Google can find it as well. Select the drop-down menu below the map to choose the lost Android device you're trying to locate.

    Connected devices on Google Maps

How to Find an Android Phone Using Its Ringer

If your phone is nearby, and you simply can't see it, Google can help you find it by turning on the ringer. Just select Ring below the map and Google will ring your phone at full volume, even if the ringer on your phone is set to silent. When you hear the ring, pick up your phone and hit the power button to stop the ringing.

Ring on Google Maps

Once you recover your lost phone, you might want to consider installing a tracker app that lets you track your phone in real time.

Locate Android Phone Using Google Home

If you have a Google Home device, and your Google account is linked to it, you don't need a computer to find your lost phone. Instead, say, “Hey Google! Where's my phone?” Google Home will then ring your phone, even if the ringer is set to silent.

What if Your Phone Is Still Lost or Stolen?

If your phone isn't nearby, and you're unable to locate it on the map or ring it, Google has additional tools to help secure your personal information until you get the phone back.

From the map that located your phone, select Recover. This will take you to several options that will allow you to call your phone, lock it, put a phone number to call on the lock screen, reach out to your carrier, or erase the phone.

Recover on Google Maps

If you can't find your phone after all this, it might be time to get a new Android. Don't rush to the store, though; sometimes phones have a way of reappearing when you least expect them.

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