No matter if you lost your Android device while traveling, or if someone stole it, it is a major inconvenience. How to locate your phone? And if it’s not possible to retrieve the device, how to wipe your device’s data remotely?
By using the Android Device Manager (ADM – Not to be mistaken for Advanced Download Manager) to do exactly these two things. You can use Android Device Manager to locate and/or wipe your phone and fortunately it is not something you will have to install (not necessarily) since it is built into your Android smartphone.
Requirements for Android Device Manager to work
- Android Device Manager should be activated as one of the device administrators. In order to check, navigate through Settings->Security->Device administrators and verify whether ADM has been listed as a device administrator or not.
- Make sure location access is ON
- The device must be signed into your Google Account
- Android device should have an active Internet connection (Mobile data or WiFi)
- Your device should not be switched off
- Even if you have a device without a SIM, ensure that the Google account is still active.
If you miss one of the requirements mentioned, you will not be able to wipe the device’s data but with the help of legal authorities, you still have the chances to locate it. Fortunately, a wireless carrier would be able to track the location of your device by measuring its radio signal. Also, the device location can be tracked and pinpointed using a Wi-Fi signal.
As we know – “Prevention is better than cure”, so you need to fulfill the above-mentioned requirements to be able to locate the device using the ADM and preserve water (human tears!).
Overall, there are two easy ways of utilizing Android Device Manager to locate or wipe your phone, which can be listed as follows:
- Through Android Device Manager website
- Using the Android Device Manager app
Steps to use Android Device Manager Web to locate or wipe your phone
Step #1: You can directly head to the Android Device Manager’s website or you can tell Google to launch the Android Device Manager typing in the search terms – “find my phone” or similar to get the ADM as a search widget (as shown in the image below).
However, when using search terms, you would not be able to lock and erase your device, but instead, you will be able to sign out from your phone and locate the device.
Method 1: Perform a Google Search
Step #1: If you used the search terms to locate your phone, you will get quick action buttons to “Ring” or “Recover” the device. If you are sure that your device is nearby and it just needs to ring in order to be found, click on “Ring”. It can alarm the thief as well, and help you spot him/her if nearby. The phone will ring even if the sound is turned OFF, and it will do so at maximum volume for 5 minutes.
Step #2: Similarly, when you click on “Recover” using the Google search method, you will get four options to help locate your device but you cannot wipe your data. You will have to click on the arrow head to see four of the options.
Step #3: As you can see in the image below, you can try four of the consecutive steps in order to locate the device. You just need to keep clicking “Next” and complete those to try finding your device.
Method 2: Using the Android Device Manager website
Step #1: After you have logged into the web page, you will observe two options under the device description box, namely, “Ring” and “Enable Lock & Erase”.
Step #2: When you click on “Ring”, it would simply sound the alarm notifying you of the location. It is usually helpful when the device is somewhere near.
Step #3: If you want to prevent your data to be accessed by someone else, you can click on “Enable Lock & Erase”. Further selecting the option, you will have to decide whether you want to enforce a password lock, or completely wipe the device data (a factory reset would take place).
Steps to the Android Device Manager app to locate your device
Step #1: Download and install Android Device Manager app on the smartphone which you would be using to locate your device.
Step #2: Sign into your Google account.
Step #3: Upon starting, you will find the current device stated as “In your Hand”. Now, you need to swipe along the bottom to see the list of devices connected to your account and select the device you need to find. Similar to the web version, you can now tap on “Ring” or “Setup Lock & Erase” as required.
Conclusion
To locate or wipe your phone, you need to use Android Device Manager. Of course, there are other 3rd Party security applications which may turn out to be predominant than ADM. But, ADM provides the easiest way to locate an Android device.
Do you rely on Android device manager to locate your device? If not, what “Anti-Theft” applications do you use?
Tell us about your thoughts in the comments below to let us know about better solutions to help locate an Android device.
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