How to Track a Stolen Phone

Losing your phone can feel like losing a part of yourself—it’s frustrating, stressful, and sometimes even scary. Whether it’s misplaced or stolen, the good news is that modern technology offers several ways to track a stolen phone. If you’re wondering how to track a stolen phone, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will lead you through simple and effective means to locate your device, whether by its phone number, IMEI number, or other means.

From using in-built features like “Find My Phone” to leveraging sophisticated tracking software, there are means to suit all situations. You’ll also learn how to track phone numbers and even use the IMEI number—a device-specific ID—to track down your device.

With these tricks, you’ll be able to take quick action and retrieve your phone without breaking a sweat. So, let’s dive in and see how you can use technology to your benefit when your phone gets stolen!

1Before Tracking the Stolen or Lost Phone

2How to Track a Stolen Phone

3How to Track a Stolen Phone through In-Built Phone Tracking Features

4How to Track a Stolen Phone With IMEI Number

5How to Track Phone Number of a Stolen Phone

6How to Find Lost Phone Using Third Party Apps

72. FamiSafe

8Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Back Your Phone

9What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Stolen Phone

10Frequently Asked Questions

11Conclusion

12References

13Recommendations

Before Tracking the Stolen or Lost Phone

If you misplace your phone, the best option to find it is to have someone else dial your number. You can listen to your phone ringing if you are not too far away. If your phone is silenced, you can call it via the Android Device Manager or Google Home.

Remember to update your Google password and lock screens if your phone has been stolen, the most logical thing to do. Make sure no one else gets access to your information. Don’t forget that the same credentials are used by your other devices and that they are always online.

Prevention is better than cure, as they say. It would be best if you add alternate contact information to the lock screen of your phone before the phone gets lost. And keep your phone charged all the time, because the contact information added to the lock screen will come in sight only if the phone is not switched off. Alright, let’s get to the topic now!

A lost phone can be an annoying experience, especially when it falls into the wrong hands. Fortunately, there are several methods for tracing a stolen phone to increase the chances of recovery.

From built-in device tracking capabilities to third-party software and assistance from cellular network operators, users of phones have several options for tracing and protecting their phones. Let’s examine these options more closely.

How to Track a Stolen Phone through In-Built Phone Tracking Features

New smartphones have in-built tracking features that allow you to find your device even without an IMEI number. However, these features must be activated in advance, and hence it is wise to configure them as soon as you get a new phone.

Find My Device on Android

On an Android phone, the “Find My Device” feature is your best hope to find your missing phone without the IMEI number. Here’s how you can activate and use it:

Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device and make sure it’s turned on.

When you lose your phone, go to android.com/find on any computer or other mobile device.

On the map, you can see your phone’s location. You can also play a sound, lock the device, or erase its data remotely.

Also Read – How to Get iOS 18 on Older iPhones

Find My iPhone on iOS Devices

For iPhone users, the “Find My” app is a useful tool for locating a lost mobile phone. Here’s how it works:

On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and switch it on.

If your iPhone is lost, open the Find My app on another iOS device or sign in at icloud.com/find on any browser.

You’ll see your iPhone’s location on a map, with options to play a sound, turn on Lost Mode or erase the device remotely.

Both Find My Device and Find My iPhone use GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular data to track your lost mobile, so they work even if the device is switched off. However, if the battery is dead or the phone is offline, you’ll only see its last known location.

How to Track a Stolen Phone With IMEI Number

Every cellular phone has a 15-digit unique number called the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. It’s your phone’s fingerprint, you can find your IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone keypad or check the sticker on the back of the battery on some phones.

If you have your phone’s IMEI number written down somewhere safe, it is simpler to locate your lost mobile. This is what you must do:

Inform the police about the theft with the IMEI number and details of your phone.

Tell your network provider and provide them with the IMEI number so that the phone is blocked. This will prevent anyone else from using your phone even with a new SIM card.

Mark your phone stolen or lost in the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) website.

Though IMEI tracking will not identify the location of your phone, it will make the device useless to potential thieves. IMEI number gives you a chance to establish ownership in case the phone is recovered or found.

How to Track Phone Number of a Stolen Phone

If you have not installed any tracking features beforehand, do not worry. You can still track your lost mobile using only the phone number. All mobile network providers offer tracking services at a fee. For example, with Airtel, you can track your lost mobile by following these steps:

Call your network customer care from any phone.

Request the “Locate My Mobile” service.

Provide your lost phone’s number and answer a couple of security questions to verify your identity.

Your network provider will then send you a message containing the estimated location of your device in case your request is approved, based on the last cell tower ping received.https://famisafe.wondershare.com/

Keep in mind that this method is less precise compared to GPS tracking and will only work if your lost phone remains on the network.

How to Find Lost Phone Using Third Party Apps

In addition to using Find My Device and Find My iPhone, you can also utilize third-party apps that are compatible on both Android and iPhones. You may use apps like Life360 or FamiSafe to find a lost phone if they have already been downloaded. Here’s how to do it:

1. Life360

Launch Life360 on another phone.
Use your Life360 account to log in.
Check where your lost phone is on the map if it is online.

2. FamiSafe

Open FamiSafe on the borrowed phone.
Log in using your account.
Locate your phone using the app.

Also Read – The Nigerian Government is Set to Track your Mobile Phones

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Back Your Phone

Here are some tips that may help you improve your chances of getting back your phone:

Always Leave Your Phone Location On: Ensure the location services are turned on in your phone. It’s simpler to locate a phone when its GPS is active.

Install Tracking Software: Software such as Life360 and FamiSafe is excellent for tracking your phone.

Lock Your Phone: In case your phone gets lost, locking it can prevent your data from being accessed.

Regularly Back Up Your Data: Back up your phone’s data to prevent losses if your phone is lost or wiped.

Save Your Phone’s IMEI Number: Save a record of your phone’s IMEI number with you in case you need to report your phone stolen.

Use a Screen Lock and SIM PIN: Use an added level of security with a screen lock and SIM PIN to prevent unauthorized use.

Report Lost or Stolen Phone Immediately: Act fast and report your stolen or lost phone to your network provider and authorities.

By following the above tips and applying the above tracking techniques, you can increase the possibilities of recovery of your phone and protecting your personal information.

What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Stolen Phone

If all these fail to work in getting your lost mobile phone back, now it’s the time for doing some damage control:

Change all your important passwords, including banks, email accounts, and social media platforms.

Call up your mobile network provider and get them to put your SIM card on hold or deactivate it in order to prevent unauthorized usage.

If you had any personal information or private data on your missing phone, watch out for identity theft in the coming weeks.

Consider buying a new phone and SIM card. You can easily and quickly get a replacement SIM with plenty of data and calling features to keep you connected from whatever network you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Free Way to Find a Lost Phone?

You can find a missing phone free of charge using Google Find My Device or Apple Find My App. Both are free. You simply need to have a Google account or an Apple ID. Connect your device to your google account or your Apple ID. You will only be able to find a lost phone free of charge after this.

Can You Find a Lost iPhone That Is Off?

Yes, you can locate a lost iPhone that’s turned off if “send the last location” is turned on. You can do that from Find My iPhone or Find My Network on the Find My app.

Can You Track Your Lost Android Phone without An App?

You are able to find your lost Android phone without an application on the Find My Device website. You can sign in to the website with your account to find your Android device.

Conclusion

Knowing how to track a stolen phone is a lifesaver. By turning on the location service, downloading tracking applications, and reporting your phone’s IMEI number, you can increase the chances that your phone can be returned.

You can also track a phone number or use IMEI tracking to locate your device. With these simple steps, you’ll be adequately equipped to protect your phone and personal data. So, act now and stay ahead of phone thieves.

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