How to locate your Android smartphone when it’s lost

For Android smartphones(opens in new tab) If it’s lost or stolen, there are multiple ways to track it. Google offers an app called Find My Device and his website. With this app, you can find and protect your missing Android and wipe all data. Samsung devices have an additional feature called Find My Mobile that allows you to track your lost device. Here’s how to use Find My Device and Find My Mobile to track your missing phone.

Can’t find your smartphone?here are some tips(opens in new tab)courtesy of Lance Whitney of PCMag.

Google’s Find My Device

Google’s Find My Device service is available as an Android app(opens in new tab) Standalone web pages and(opens in new tab) Works on any Android device. If you’re already signed in to your Google account, you’ll see a map with all your registered devices automatically displayed.From here you can select the image of the device you want to find and track its location(opens in new tab) on the map.

You can then play a sound to ping the device, lock the device to display a message on the screen, or wipe all personal data. Google has additional information(opens in new tab) You can refer to it when you need to find, lock or erase your Android phone.

If you think your device is within hearing range, make a sound Ping your phone or tablet. You can then track the sound to your device. Even if the device is not nearby, ping may alert Good Samaritan that it has found it. Once done, stop the sound button.

If you can’t find your device or you’re not nearby, you can lock it so no one can access it. You can also add a message and a phone number so the person you find can contact you.

Tap secure device, add a message and phone number to display on the lock screen.Tap secure device Finalize and lock your phone. Your missing phone will be locked with your message and phone number displayed.

If your device is lost or stolen, you can wipe it clean(opens in new tab) As a last resort.Tap Erasing the device Tap again to end this action. Be sure to read the information about what happens to your phone here, as it cannot be undone.

You may be asked if you want to verify your Google Account. Tap. security diagnosis Link to perform security procedures. If you change your mind about erasing your device, dissolution.

Samsung’s Find My Mobile

If you have a Samsung phone, you can also track your lost device with a special feature called Find My Mobile.Set this up on your phone by going to Settings > Biometrics & Security and turn on find my phonePlease note that this feature requires a Samsung account.

Open Find My Mobile settings and turn it on remote unlock Unlock your phone so you can control it remotely.turn on the option for send last location Receive the last known location of the phone if the battery drops below a certain level.valid offline search You can find your phone even if it is offline.

Once enabled, use the SmartThings Find website(opens in new tab) or app(opens in new tab) Track Samsung devices connected to the same Samsung account. The service is required to display the location of Samsung mobile phones on a map. It contains other controls to support missing devices.

choose ring Press start Ping the phone. It will start ringing to help track you down if you’re nearby or so someone else can notice it. can also be selected. rock Option to set a PIN to unlock the device, enter a contact phone number, and add a message to be displayed on the lock screen.

If you think your phone has been moved to another location, you can choose to either track location Get an updated view of your phone’s current location every 15 minutes.You can also wipe your phone clean if you’re worried about someone accessing your data. erase data Icon for resetting the phone to factory settings(opens in new tab).

If you plan to erase your phone, or if you think you won’t be able to get it back, you can remotely back up your data.click back up Click the icon, then set up multi-factor authentication(opens in new tab), if you haven’t already. Click the website link in the notification to receive backup codes that you can use to sign in if your phone is lost or stolen.

Select all the data points you want to back up, such as messages and contacts, back up Send data to save to Samsung Cloud(opens in new tab) service.

If you have important messages or voicemails on your phone, Call/Message retrieval optionsThis allows you to see and listen to up to 50 recent calls and messages.

If you forget your PIN to unlock your phone, you can always open it from Find SmartThings.(opens in new tab) choose a website unlock button.To extend the battery life of your mobile phone(opens in new tab)choose extend battery life Selecting the option will turn on the maximum power saving mode your phone offers, giving you extra time to find your device before it turns off.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.(opens in new tab), Mashable’s sibling site. PCMag.com(opens in new tab) A technology authority, providing lab-based independent reviews of the latest products and services.