If you have an Andriod or iphone cell phone and its lost or stolen what can you do?
If you’ve added a Google Account to your Android device, then Find My Device will be enabled automatically.
Apple has a proprietary app called Find My iPhone that is dedicated to helping you find a misplaced or lost iPhone. The app comes installed on every iOS device and can display your missing device on a map to help you easily locate and manage it.
Your don't need to download anything to find your Andriod or iPhone because both already contain native apps to find your cell phone.
If you want to go to the trouble of installing the Find My Device App or Find My iPhone App you can but why would you do this when both the Andriod and iPhone already contain these native apps?
Keep reading and find out how to use the Andriod Find My Device feature and Find My iPhone Feature built into your Andriod or iPhone.
The easiest way to locate a lost Android handset is to use the Find My Device feature, which is built into your Android smartphone through Google Play Services
Enable Find My Device on your Android smartphone.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Security. Alternatively, you can also go to Google. Both methods will take you to the next step.
Step 2: Tap Find my device. Alternately, you can also open Settings and type "find my device" in the search box. When the setting appears, tap on it.
Step 3: Toggle on the Find My Device setting. It should always be on. Then, tap to open either the web app or a phone or tablet app. These utilities will show you where your phone is on a map.
Step 4: See your device location pinpointed on a map using Find My Device in a web browser.
If you can’t recover your smartphone, you can always wipe it to prevent sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands. Your device will need an internet connection and enough juice to communicate with you.
With Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google introduced Factory Reset Protection (FRP). It’s designed to prevent thieves from using or selling a stolen phone. If you factory reset a phone with FRP enabled and someone tries to set it up as a new phone, they will be prompted to enter the username and password for the last Google account registered on the device. If they can’t, then the phone remains locked with your data protected.
Apple has a proprietary app called Find My iPhone that is dedicated to helping you find a misplaced or lost iPhone. The app comes installed on every iOS device and can display your missing device on a map to help you easily locate and manage it.
Step 1: Select Settings > Your Apple ID (name).
Step 2: Select Find My > Find My iPhone. Make sure that the toggle for Find My iPhone is always left On (green).
Step 3: Toggle on the Find my network and Send last location switches. Those help you pinpoint where you last left your phone in case internet services are currently off.
Step 4: Launch the Find My Find Devices , in a web browser, then select Devices from the bottom tab.
Step 5: Select your iPhone or iPad that you want to view the location for.
Step 6: You can also play a sound to locate your device, get directions to locate your device, set up notifications when the device is left behind, mark a device as lost, or remotely wipe the device.
Your iPhone maintains a high level of security in case of robbery by using an Activation Lock.
Enabled by default, the Activation Lock requires that you tap in your Apple ID and password before you can disable Find My iPhone, wipe your device, or reactivate it.
With simple cell phones, there aren’t as many programmatic or app-based options available to assist you in finding a lost handset. However, there’s always a basic protocol to follow when you lose your phone. Try doing the following.
Step 1: Call your cell phone. Listen for the ring or vibration, and try to locate your phone through tried-and-true human detection. If your phone is truly lost and in someone else’s hands, then they’re likely to answer — if they intend to return the phone.
Step 2: Retrace your steps. Do a full-fledged visual search. If you couldn’t hear a ring or vibration when you called it, don’t immediately assume that your phone is located far away — the battery could simply be dead.
Step 3: Text your phone. If you believe someone has stolen or possibly found your phone, then send a text message to your phone with your contact info and a reward offer if you choose to do so.
Step 4: Alert your service provider. If you’ve lost hope of finding it, then call your wireless carrier and let them know your phone is lost. Ask if they offer a GPS locating service. If they don't, ask them to suspend service to your phone to avoid any fraudulent charges. Carriers have differing policies about this, but it’s always worth a try, even for a smartphone. This FCC page has a handy list of numbers.
Step 5: Register your lost phone. If you know your phone’s IMEI number or have it written down somewhere.
Step 6: Prepare for the next time you lose your phone. Maybe you’re one of those people who’s always losing their phone.
Losing your smartphone is definitely a scary experience, though sometimes it's just been simply misplaced somewhere around the house.
Thankfully, pretty much every smartphone has a built-in feature for locating it if lost or stolen, and it's pretty easy to activate it.
It's highly recommended to turn that "find device" feature on once you get a new phone or tablet and leave it on.
You may not ever need it, but it'll be there if something happens — better safe than sorry!
Also you need to keep this in mind.
Unless you have shared your Apple ID with someone or your Apple ID has been compromised, no one else can be using Find My iPhone to find your phone.
Keep reading below to find out how you can make a BIG mistake and compromise your Apple Id and Password.
People stealing iPhones is absolutely nothing new, unfortunately. But people using Find My to disable their devices is usually a good port of call because it prevents them from being accessed or set up anew. A new trick shared by one unfortunate iPhone owner shows that thieves are finding new ways to get around things like Find My — and it's all too easy.
After few days go by and it is assumed that all hope was lost to find your iPhone your receive an SMS suggesting the iPhone had been found and that tapping a link would display the location.
The link may look legit because it contained 'icloud' and 'findmy,' but it isn't.
Then you receive another text message.
You received a message with your number saying, 'Your lost iPhone 12 Blue' or whatever the name of your phone is, has been found and temporarily switched ON. View location.
Along with a message, there was an iCloud link provided.
The link is designed in such a way that no matter how technologically sound you are, you are bound to fall for it.
The link that is sent to is not shortened using the link shortening website, bit.ly.
On the contrary, it will contain phrases like "iCloud", "find my", which could trick anyone into believing that the message was sent from Apple.
After tapping the link you are asked to log in, which if you do, will give the new owner of the iPhone your Apple ID and password.
To avoid this BIG MISTAKE -
Check and double check links before accessing them and consider using a password manager that will alert you if you're entering details into a site other than the one you saved them from.
Let me repeat that.
Check and double check links in text messages before accessing them.
This applies for ANY text messages you receive along with ANY emails you receive.
AnyCalculator.com
StreamZones.com (List of Roku Channels).