What would happen if you lost your mobile today? The first thing would be to panic, and it is that every day we carry more personal information of all kinds on our mobiles. Not only photos, but banking information, social networks, etc. At present, mobile phones have become an essential tool for day to day, and that is that they allow us to be communicated, informed and entertained, but as we say they are susceptible to being lost or even stolen, since their prices are constantly rise are high.
If, in addition to losing it or having suffered a theft, we have turned it off, or the battery ran out over time, it is in these cases when finding a turned-off mobile can be a real challenge. Next, we are going to see some strategies and tips to locate your turned off device and prevent loss situations.
Prepare your phone before you lose it
The first thing you should do is take precautions before loss, misplacement, or even theft occurs. Make sure that the phone has the tracking system configured and activated, which can vary depending on the operating system of the device. That's why we tell you how to do it according to your system, be it Android or iOS.
- Android: On Android devices, the default tool is Find my device from Google. Make sure you have a Google account linked to your phone and have enabled the feature in your security settings. This tool allows you to track, lock and erase the data on your device in case of loss.
- iOS: For Apple devices, the function is “Find my iPhone”. You must have an iCloud account linked to the device and enable the feature in iCloud settings. Similar to Android, this tool allows you to track, lock, and wipe your device's data.
Thanks to these simple tools we will have the option of finding the phone quickly, they do not give the exact location, but it is very precise and at least delimits the search radius in a large measure of the terrain.
Use third party applications
In addition to the default tools, there are third-party apps that can help you find your phone off. Some of the most popular are Cerberus, Prey, and Hammer. These apps offer similar functionality to the default tools, but may have additional features, such as the ability to take photos remotely or record audio.
Cerberus Lock Screen Protector
With recognized prestige and a wide range of options to have your mobile located and safe from foreign friends, be sure to try it and ensure not only your phone but also all the data we have on it.
Prey: Tracking and Security
Prey is a data security and mobile administration application, with more than 13 years of experience in the market and thanks to which we have mobile phones, tablets and even computers protected. It is available for Android, Chromebooks, iOS, Windows, Ubuntu, and MacOS.
With this application you will be able to manage all your equipment in the same app, from its screen you will have control of your terminals.
Locates EVEN if turned off Hammer
Another application on the subject at hand is this Smart Security app, it can work without having to act on it. It can detect emergencies without any action from you. And it can be activated without having to do anything and in case of theft the same thief will activate the alarm without realizing it.
This Hammer app is equipped with a "panic button", options such as fake shutdown, fake airplane mode, App lock with emergency pin, car accident detector, SMS with low battery and has a Web to access and manipulate the phone remotely, access to the camera, location, etc.
Track last location
If we want to find our lost phone and we know that it may already be out of battery your real-time location is more imprecise or even more complicated, but it is possible to track its last location, we can access its last known location before it was turned off. If the tracking system was activated and the phone was connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi, it is likely that it has stored this information.
The steps are simple and Depending on the system we have, you have to do the following:
- En Android: Enter the Google "Find my device" page from another device and select your phone. The page will display the last known location on a map.
- With system iOS: Access the "Search" app on another Apple device or the iCloud page from a web browser. Select your device and you can see the last known location on a map.
Other options
These are simple but necessary steps to find your phone. If we have not yet located it, now it is time to move and try more physical and common options than those mentioned so far.
Search in frequent places
If you haven't been able to find your phone using the above tools and apps, you can try searching in common places. Check bags, purses, drawers, clothing pockets or any other place Where do you usually keep your phone? Sometimes we just forget where we left it.
Ask for help from people close to you
Ask your friends, family, or co-workers to help you find your phone. Someone may have seen it or have taken it by mistake.
File a report in case of theft
If you think your phone has been stolen, it is essential to file a complaint at the nearest police station. It provides all the relevant information about the device, such as the make, model, serial number and, if possible, the last known location. The police can assist in the search and, in some cases, require the collaboration of the telephone companies to track the device.
Lock your device and protect your data
If you can't find the phone, It is important to protect your personal data. Use the tracking tools mentioned above to remotely lock the device. This will prevent anyone from accessing your data, apps, and accounts.
- Android: From Google's "Find My Device" page, sselect the “Lock” option to set a remote lock.
- iOS: In the Search app or iCloud page, select the option "Activate" under "Lost" mode. This will lock the device and display a custom message on the screen.
Besides, andIt is advisable to change the passwords of your accounts linked to the phone, such as email, social networks and messaging applications.
Wipe device data remotely
If you've already exhausted all options to find your phone and you're sure you won't get it back, pYou can choose to wipe the data remotely. This action will delete all personal information stored on the device, but it will also prevent further tracking of the device.
- Android: From Google's "Find My Device" page, select the "Erase" option to remove all data from the phone.
- iOS: In the “Find” app or iCloud page, select the “Erase iPhone” option to remove all data from the device.
Inform the telephone company
Contact your phone company to report the device as lost or stolen. The company can block the IMEI of the phone, which will prevent it from being used with another SIM card. Also, this can help protect your data and prevent unauthorized charges to your account.
Consider purchasing a new device
If you have exhausted all options to find your phone and have been unsuccessful, you may need to start thinking about buying a new device. Take this opportunity to assess your needs and select a phone that suits them.
In short, finding a mobile that is turned off can be a complicated task, but it is not impossible. The key is prevention and taking appropriate measures before the loss occurs or the robbery. Set up and activate tracking features, install third-party apps and keep your data protected at all times. By following these tips, you will increase the chances of finding your device turned off and minimize the impact in the event of a permanent loss.