How to Find a Lost Phone: Android and iPhone Steps

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That sinking feeling when your pocket is empty is hard to beat. The good news is that most phones can be tracked, locked or wiped from another device. This guide explains how to find a lost phone on Android and iPhone, what to do if it was stolen and how to prepare now so you’re ready later.

Contents

First steps when your phone goes missing
How to find a lost phone on Android

Samsung SmartThings Find

How to find a lost phone on iPhone
What to do if your lost phone was stolen
How to find your IMEI number
Prepare now, before you lose your phone
Lost your phone in a taxi, bus or shop?
Frequently asked questions

Can I find a lost phone that is switched off?
Can I track a lost phone with the IMEI?
Should I erase my phone straight away?

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First steps when your phone goes missing

Stay calm and act quickly. The first hour matters most.

Call your number from another phone. It may be under a cushion or in a bag.
Retrace your steps and ask nearby people or staff.
Use the tracking tools below on a laptop or a friend’s phone.
If you believe it was stolen, lock it immediately and contact your network.

How to find a lost phone on Android

Google’s tracking service is called Find Hub, previously known as Find My Device. It works when the phone is signed in to a Google account and location is switched on.

On a computer or another phone, go to google.com/android/find.
Sign in with the Google account used on the lost phone.
Select the phone to see its last known location on a map.

From there you have three options:

Play sound: rings the phone at full volume for five minutes, even on silent.
Secure device: locks the phone and shows a message or contact number on the screen.
Factory reset device: erases everything. After this, you can no longer track it.

Samsung SmartThings Find

Samsung phones have an extra option. Visit smartthingsfind.samsung.com and sign in with your Samsung account. It can locate the phone, ring it and lock it. In some cases, it can even find phones that are offline, using nearby Galaxy devices.

How to find a lost phone on iPhone

Apple’s service is called Find My. It works if Find My iPhone was switched on before the phone went missing.

Go to icloud.com/find on any browser, or open the Find My app on another Apple device.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Select your iPhone to see it on the map.

You can then play a sound, turn on Lost Mode or erase the device. Lost Mode locks the phone, shows your message and keeps tracking it. Activation Lock also stops a thief from setting it up with their own account.

What to do if your lost phone was stolen

Do not try to recover a stolen phone yourself. Instead, take these steps:

Lock it remotely using Find Hub or Find My.
Call your network provider to block your SIM and request a replacement with the same number.
Report it to the police. Bring your IMEI number, which identifies your phone.
Change your passwords, especially email, banking apps and social media.
Alert your bank if you use mobile banking or payment apps.
Warn your contacts about possible scam messages from your accounts.

How to find your IMEI number

Your IMEI is a unique 15-digit code. You can find it in several places:

Dial *#06# on the phone (do this now, before it goes missing).
Check the phone’s original box.
Look in your Google account device list or Apple ID device list.

Write it down and store it somewhere safe. The IMEI also helps when you buy a used phone, as we explain in how to check if a phone is original.

Prepare now, before you lose your phone

Tracking only works if it’s set up in advance. Take five minutes today:

Turn on Find Hub (Android) or Find My (iPhone).
Keep location services on.
Set a strong screen lock with a PIN, fingerprint or face unlock.
Enable SIM PIN so thieves can’t use your number in another phone.
Turn on automatic backups. Our guide on how to back up your phone shows how.
Record your IMEI number.

Strong security settings also protect you if someone tries to break into your accounts. For more advice, read our phone security tips.

Lost your phone in a taxi, bus or shop?

Many phones go missing in public transport, ride-hailing cars, restaurants and markets. If you used a ride-hailing app, open the app on another device and use its lost item feature to contact the driver. Most apps keep the trip details for several days.

For buses, shops and offices, call or visit the lost property desk as soon as possible. Give a clear description, including the colour, case and lock screen wallpaper. Leave a phone number where staff can reach you.

Meanwhile, keep checking the tracking map. A phone that moves to a new address and stays there may help the police, but don’t go there alone. Let the authorities handle it.