Short Tutorial/FAQ – How Can I Find a Lost Smartphone?

Question: When I've called my lost smartphone but can't hear it ring, what should I do next to find it?

Answer: Since we depend so much on our smartphones — and they contain lots of personal information — it's easy to see why panic can set in when we lose them. This is especially true if we fear our smartphone could be miles away.

Fortunately, the tech industry offers easy and reliable ways to track down your lost smartphone. Both Apple and Google feature built-in phone retrieval technology as part of the native software package that works via your device account — iCloud for your iPhone and Google for your Android account. Both allow you to remotely lock and wipe your phone, make it ring, and set up special messages to alert whoever finds it.

Here's where to learn more:

Apple Support

Google Support

Exercise caution when communicating with the person who has found your smartphone. Don't reveal personal information, such as your home address. Stick with sending phone numbers or email addresses to communicate how a finder can safely return your phone.