The Find My Device app, also known as "Find My Device" in Spanish, is the tool that Google offers you to find your lost or stolen phones. It is a very useful tool that you have to activate in advance for it to work 100%. Today I am going to teach you how to find your smartphone and everything you need to know about Find My Device.
What is Find My Device?
Although Google offers online search services with Google or Google Maps, "Find My Device" is a functionality that focuses exclusively on the security and location of mobile devices. This makes it a essential tool for many users concerned about the security of their data or forgetful users.
Specifically, this app is used to find your mobile devices at any time, yes, You will have to activate this option previously to be able to find your devices.
You can access this tool from your computer's browser. To install it on your mobile you can go to its own Google Store page, which you can download from the link below.
What can you do with Find My Device?
This app is not only a location tool that helps you find your mobile device if you have left it in a jacket inside your house. It also serves to increase your security since it is capable of helping you protect your data if your cell phone has been stolen.
But let's see what this free app that Google offers you is capable of.
- find the detailed location of your mobile on a map.
- Ring your device so you can hear it if you are close.
- Lock your device until further notice so that no one else can use it.
- Change the key or pattern of your mobile lock screen from a distance.
- Clear all data from your device remotely.
Now, as I have told you about this tool has some requirements to function correctly. Let's see what are the requirements to take into account.
Aspects to take into account when finding a lost mobile phone
even though they exist third-party tools to find the device using GPS, It is advisable to use the native Google tool to protect your location data at all times. Of course, before using it you will have to ensure certain requirements that improve the chances of finding your cell phone in case of loss or theft.
Let's see what you need to increase your chances of finding a lost cell phone.
Keep your location and data rate on
Keeping location and data activated is essential as Google records the position of your location to give you a point on the map, as exact as possible, where you lost your cell phone. If you did not have mobile data or location activated, this search process will be much more difficult or almost impossible.
So whenever you are going to leave the house, go out to party or go on a trip, activate the location and data or WiFi network if possible and stay safe.
Activate "Device Search"
Due to data privacy laws, you must be the one to activate this functionality after purchasing a mobile phone or restoring it from the factory. So in order to activate this functionality we will simply have to go to the adjustments of our Android mobile and search for the “Security” or “Google” option depending on your device and find the option "Find my device".
If you have found this option, click on it and the first thing you will see is an activatable button for the "Device Search" function to start collecting data. You also have access to both the web portal and the app of the same name, but you just have to press the button that you will see in the middle of the screen.
Sign in with Google and have Google Play installed
Having the Google account on your Android device is necessary, however, having Google Play installed is not, but gives you advantages.
This is because if you lose your device you can use Find My Device to install other apps on the device remotely. For example, install Find My Device itself. If you do not have Google Play downloaded you will not be able to use the remote application download function.
Get a two-step verification backup code
This is very important and necessary because two-step verification usually depends on the mobile terminal. If your device is lost or stolen and you find yourself without the backup code for two-step verification, chances are you need to contact technical service so they can send you another SIM card.
Avoid these inconveniences by requesting that code right now. To request it you simply have to access your account settings from your Google account and touch where it says "Security". Now you will see a text that says "Sign in to Google" just below it appears "Two-step verification" give it there.
Now in this menu, you will be able to see the Backup Codes option. Tap on the option and follow the instructions, This way you will receive the code that will allow you to connect with your device once you have lost it or it has been stolen.
All the steps I have given you are recommended to gain chances of finding your mobile device again. Plus, in the worst case scenario, you can keep your photos and personal data safe by deleting them with just one drastic but safe button.
I always activate this function for my terminal and that of my entire family, although luckily I have not had to actually use the application. And you, Have you ever lost your cell phone? Have you been able to find it remotely? I read you in comments.
