Stolen or Lost Android phone? Here’s How to Find Stolen or Lost Android phone Quickly. Just read the article carefully. Here I have explained in details what to do if your smartphone is lost.
People are often confused as to what to do after a Smartphone is stolen or misplaced. Then they start thinking of how to get the phone back, how to trace the phone or recover their important phone’s data.
There are a lot of queries revolving in your mind after you lose your phone. Where is my phone? Will I ever get it back? Will the person who found my phone be able to access its contents including photos, videos, messages and personal data?
Unfortunately, there are very small or negligible chances of getting the lost phone back. However, if you take the right steps after losing your mobile, then you may increase the chances of keeping your contents in the phone safe and can also get your phone back if possible.
Some people simply issue a second SIM when their phone is stolen and then forget the about old phone. But this habit of yours can hurt you a lot, because if anyone will do something wrong, illegal activity or misuse your stolen/misplaced Smartphone, then you will be penalized for that. And this can cause you a lot of difficulties.
In such a situation, today we are telling you what should be done first if your mobile phone is stolen or misplaced, which will help you to increase the chances of getting the lost phone back and securing its data.
Contents
Step 1 : Block Your SIM Card
Mostly, after stealing your phone, a thief would quickly turn off the device or take out the SIM card. But there are also some thieves/people who might utilize your SIM card for fraudulent and other illegal purposes, and if the person is a technical expert then he/she could compromise your credit/debit cards details and even bank accounts which can result you in financial loss.
So it is highly recommended that whenever your smartphone is stolen/lost, quickly connect with your network operator and immediately get the SIM card of that smartphone blocked. This will prevent the misuse of your mobile number by the thief.
Also Read: Want To Protect Your Mobile From Hackers, Then Follow These Tips
Step 2 : Change Account Passwords Immediately
Most people store their important account details like banking information, social media account details, email id details, and much more in their smartphone. If, somehow someone gets access to that information and data, then he/she can easily misuse your accounts & details.
So, after losing your mobile phone, you must quickly change the password of all of your accounts and apps installed on that mobile. This will somehow keep your contents safe and secure and the thief will not be able to access it easily.
Step 3 : File FIR of Lost Phone
If your phone is stolen, then you must have to file a FIR report regarding the loss of your Smartphone to the police or concerned authority. FIR can also be filed through online mode, which will generate the FIR number of the stolen Smartphone. After registering an FIR, you will not be legally held responsible if someone misuse your phone for any kind of illegal activity.
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Step 4 : Trace & Block Your Phone Remotely
Now after completing the above steps you can try yourself to trace and remote block your smartphone. Even you can remotely erase its data.
Phone Tracing & remote blocking can be done by two methods.
The first method works better than second method. Because whether your mobile if switched ON or OFF, it will trace your phone using the IMEI number.
However, in the second method, your phone must be in ON condition. Also, your Location/GPS & Google Find My Device is ON in the settings and your google account must be signed In.
How to Find Stolen or Lost Android phone Quickly?
Method 1 :
Government of India has released a website for stolen and lost Smartphones.
The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a website launched by the Department of Telecommunication, is specifically for detecting stolen mobiles.
With the help of this CEIR website, the stolen Smartphone can be blocked and unblocked, as well as the location of the phone can be traced. In CEIR directory, the model, SIM card number and IMEI number of the mobile of each and every citizen of the country is present. This makes it easier for CEIR to find a stolen mobile.
Also Read: What is Pegasus Spyware? How it Works?
Steps to be followed to Trace Stolen Mobile Through CEIR Website:
1. First of all, you have to visit the CEIR website after the FIR report is filed for lost phone.
2. Now, here you will see 3 options
3. If the stolen mobile phone is found back, then click on Un-Block Found Mobile option.
4. If the mobile is stolen, then click on Block / Lost Mobile.
5. Then a page will open, where you have to enter your mobile number. Also, you have to provide the information about the IMEI number and the brand of the Smartphone that you are using. Also, you have to enter the device model and mobile bill is to be uploaded.
6. After this, the place of losing the mobile phone, district, state and police station, and FIR number, date of losing the phone will have to be entered there.
7. After entering all the required information, you will have to enter your personal information like address, mobile number etc. Then an OTP will come on your second mobile number which you have provided for further communication. After entering the OTP, you have to click on the final submit option.
8. After this, your stolen mobile search will start. Additionally, they will be able to trace the stolen mobile. It might take some time to correctly trace your phone’s location.
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Method 2 :
If you lose an Android phone or tablet, or Wear OS watch, you can find, lock, or erase it easily using Google. If you’ve created and added your Google Account to your device, then you can trace and remotely access your device with the help of “Find My Device”.
But to trace and remotely access your smartphone through “Find My Device”, there are certain criteria which have to be fulfilled, otherwise you won’t be able to get through it.
To find, lock, or erase an Android phone, that phone must :
- Be turned ON
- Be signed in to a Google Account
- Be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi
- Be visible on Google Play
- Have Location turned ON
- Have Find My Device turned ON
If you used your lost phone for 2-step verification, you must have a backup phone or backup code.
Steps To Be Followed to use Find My Device:
1. Go to android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account.
2. If you have more than one phone, click the Lost Android phone at the top of the screen.
3. If your lost phone has more than one user profile, sign in with a Google Account that’s on the main profile.
4. The lost phone gets a notification.
5. On the map, you’ll get info about where the phone is but the location is approximate and might not be accurate.
6. If your phone can’t be found, you’ll see its last known location, if available.
7. Choose what you want to do. If needed, click on Enable lock & erase to completely wipe the data.
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Options which can be used Remotely:
Play sound: When this option is selected, it rings your phone at full volume for 5 minutes, even if it’s set to silent or vibrate.
Secure device: This option Locks your phone with your PIN, pattern, or password. If you don’t have a lock, you can set one. To help someone return your phone to you, you can add a message or phone number to the lock screen.
Erase device: When this option is selected, it permanently deletes all data available on your phone’s internal memory (but might not delete SD/memory cards). After erasing the data, Find My Device won’t work on that phone.
Final Thoughts
If accidently you lost your smartphone, then don’t get panic. Keep your mind cool and just follow the above-mentioned steps. You will definitely be able to trace your device and can also erase your data remotely & can secure your sensitive information from getting leaked.
Hope this article will help you to find your Lost Android phone.
Thanks for Reading.