The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Don’t think it can’t happen to you. You reach for your phone then realize it isn’t where you left it. Worry may set in as you start your search for your phone. Unless you find your phone immediately, you’ll probably begin to panic a bit.
If only you had downloaded an app to find your phone…
Good news for Android phone owners. You can now locate your lost phone using an app you already have:
That’s right, now when you lose your Android phone you can enlist Google’s help in locating it. Google search will show you where your phone is on a Google map so you can see its location. You can also use Google to make your Android phone ring for five minutes (or until you find your phone).
[tip] iPhone owner? Don’t miss The New iPhone Setting You Should Change Right Now! to learn how you can find your iPhone even after the battery dies. [/tip]
How to Use Google Search to Find Your Android Phone
Go to Google.com and type “find my phone”. Google will show you on Google Maps where your phone is located. You can also use voice search by clicking the microphone icon and telling Google to “find my phone.”
If you still can’t find your phone, no worries, you can use this feature to make your phone ring. Click the link for Ring to make your Android phone ring at top volume for up to five minutes. When you find your phone you can turn off the ringer by pressing the Power button on your phone.
What Else You Should Know
• You must have the latest updated version of the Google app on your Android phone to be able to find your phone using Google search. The app was updated on Wednesday, April 15:
Google app in Google Play store
• You must be logged into both your Android phone and your computer using the same Google ID to find your phone.
• Google search does not work to find lost iPhones. To find your iPhone, be sure to check out Find My iPhone – The Very First App You Should Get.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever lost your Android phone? Have you used Google search to get it back? Do you like this new feature from Google? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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Treat for Beatles Fans
Google has a special treat for Beatles fans. Check out Inside Abbey Road to take a tour of the recording studio made famous by the Beatles.
[warning] Clicking the link causes the Inside Abbey Road sound to auto-play so proceed with caution or press your mute button first. [/warning]
This interactive website lets you navigate through the studio, exploring different rooms. Click on objects to hear more about them and watch videos of famous artists recording in the studio. A blueprint of the studio helps guide you around or you can have fun getting immersed in the experience.
Learn about music mastering and see how the pros do it, both in Abbey Road’s Mastering Studio and online.
Click on the three stacked bars in the upper right corner to show a guide of what can be found in each room. Interactive features are color-coded so you can easily find your favorites.
Who knows? This tour may inspire you to record in Abbey Studios someday!
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Note to Subscribers
Please accept my sincere apology if you have not been receiving email notifications of new articles being published at The Wonder of Tech. After many hours spent trying to troubleshoot the issue with experts, I believe that the issue is fixed as of today.
As part of the resolution of the matter, I had to reconfirm subscriptions for many email addresses. If you received an email from me yesterday asking you to reconfirm your email subscription, please do so in order to remain a subscriber to The Wonder of Tech.
Unless, of course, you no longer wish to be a subscriber to The Wonder of Tech. But that would just be silly.
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* Phone on a towel image (edited) courtesy of Daniel Kulinski via Flickr and Creative Commons
Hi Carolyn,
This app might be useful. Google drives me nuts, this morning I wanted an app and it sent me a text as part of 2 part verification, which I turn off every chance I get. It wastes my time signing in and then the app said I didn’t have enough memory to install it. I have no idea how much memory the SD card has, but I suppose I’ll have to buy a bigger one. I need one for my new in car camcorder. I had to take the one out of my tablet for it.
I haven’t been getting the emails for new posts, but I don’t think I’ve been getting the Facebook notifications either. I got a facebook notification for this though, so that’s OK. Nevermind, I’ll look around while I’m here. I’ve been a bit busy just lately, I’m admin of our history page on facebook now. All my students have graduated so it’ll give me something to do. I think I’ll be photographing a St George’s day parade on Sunday; the biggest in the UK. That should be colourful.
Hi Mike, Yes, you can only move certain files to your memory card so you should try to manage to free up as much space on your phone as possible. Make sure you have the latest version of Google on your phone to be able to take advantage of this feature.
Unfortunately, I have been spending so much time trying to sort out this email issue that I haven’t had a chance to go to other blogs for a while. Believe me when I tell you that I’d rather be visiting your blog than dealing with customer service!
According to my emails logs you should have received an email notification of this article. Please check your Spam folder to make sure it isn’t hiding there.
Hi Carolyn,
This is interesting indeed 🙂
I never knew Google could help us find our phone! Google search adds another feather to it’s cap and shows us where our phone is on a Google map and we can find its location – how cool is that. I must let my kids know of this too.
And please don’t worry – your email notification came in perfectly and all is working well once again, and I am liking the new subscription boxes around too 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend 🙂
Hi Harleena, That’s great news that you received an email notice today. I really appreciate you letting me know and for alerting me when you weren’t receiving email notifications. Your information helped me understand there was a problem so I could get to work trying to resolve the issue. I’m hoping that this problem is over once and for all. Solving it took way too many phone calls, emails and work behind the scenes. I’d rather be writing articles and visiting blogs!
Yes, this new feature of Google’s is very exciting. Android users who lose their phones can just Google the location. Very handy!
Thanks for spreading the word, Harleena. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead.
WOW this feature is fabulous, I just tried and its very cool. I think we can easily find our phone if its missing somewhere.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Samantha, Thanks for checking it out. Yes, this is very cool. Another handy, free service from Google!
Carolyn, thanks! Just tried it, and it works. Although it said last logged on 4/16, and it’s 4/17. I should try to remember Where’s My Droid as well. Luckily, never have had to use it, but I have no idea what password I set for that.
Hi Leora, Yes, I know some people mean to download an app such as Where’s My Droid but never get around to it. It’s great that this comes with Google, which is already on Android phones. So long as you’ve got the latest version of the Google app on your phone you’re good to go.
Hey Carolyn,
This is a very useful post. I have not lost my Android phone before but I think this is the right time to get it set should that happen in the future.
Quite useful for Android users 😉
Have a wonderful weekend dear friend
Hi Enstine, Yes, you’re exactly right. You never know when you may need to find your phone, probably when you least expect it. Make sure that you have the latest version of the Google app on your Android phone and you’ll be all set.
I had literally no idea! Just tried it and it worked!
Hi Logan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you discovered this cool new feature here and that it works well for you. I hope you never need to use it, but it’s good to know about just in case…
I have never thought that Google could help us when our android lost. It’s useful info. But I hope my android will never lose hehe 🙂
Hi Andy, Yes, I hope no one ever needs this feature, but chances are you’ll lose your phone at some point. Knowing you can locate it using Google should bring you peace of mind, even if you never need it.
Ahhhh! I was always thought of this service and I think its live from google. Well I must say there few of my friends who lost their mobile phones and I guess using this service will surely helpful.
Thanks
Hi Arpan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, this service is live now so we can use it without a problem. I’m sure nearly everyone has misplaced their phone at some point so this free and easy service should be very helpful to many people.
Yes Google has provided the service for finding the phone. For this there should be one thing most important to be in the lost phone i.e. Internet should be ON. This will help google to track easily.
Hi Swapnil, Yes, you’re right. Your Android phone must be connected to the Internet in order for Google to find it. Good point!
Hi Carolyn,
This is such a surprising feature I didn’t know about. I will be updating my Android phone to the latest Google app. I haven’t lost my handset so far, but there are those occasions when you have it in your room and you don’t know where it is. This feature can however be a great security feature!
Thanks for this info. I will surely respond to the subscription confirmation email, if I receive it.
Have a great day!
Hi Nisha, Yes, you’re right. No one plans to lose their smart phone but it does happen. Being prepared for the worst is never a bad idea. Now that you know you can find your phone easily by using Google you can be prepared!