How to Locate Your Lost and Powerless Phone

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If you’ve misplaced your phone, try not to worry. Whether it’s an Android or an iPhone, both operating systems offer features designed to assist you in finding your lost device. However, locating an Android becomes trickier if the phone has been powered down. Even so, assistance comes courtesy of Eric Florence, a
cybersecurity
analyst who knows just

how to locate a missing phone that’s powered off

off

Continue reading to discover what steps to take if it occurs to you.

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Ways to Locate a Missing iPhone

The Find My iPhone feature is the most effective and simplest method for locating your missing iPhone, even when it’s turned off or has a depleted battery. (Emphasized part remains unchanged)
your
—It’s against the law to track another person’s phone without their permission. To use the feature, you must visit the Find My iPhone section on iCloud.com after signing in.
iCloud
, tap on “All Devices.” Choose your missing phone from the displayed list. A map will then show up on the screen indicating the location of your phone.

Ways to locate a missing Android device

With an Android device, you can use the Android Device Manager to locate it. Just visit the Find My Device website and sign in with the Google account linked to your phone. Should you own multiple phones, select the missing one from the dropdown list at the top of the page. The position of your phone should then show up on the map.

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Should the map indicate that your phone is close by, tap “Play Sound.” For the following five minutes, the device will chime continuously, bypassing the silent setting, aiding you in pinpointing its whereabouts.

Is it possible to trace a phone when it’s switched off?

If your iPhone is powered down, it may still be located using these methods. Should your device go offline, the displayed map will indicate where the phone was prior to losing connection. You’ll receive an email via the service once your phone powers back up. Simply select “Notify me when found” within the interface for updates.

Sadly, for Android devices to be locatable using the aforementioned steps, they need to remain powered on.

What steps should I take to secure my missing phone?

A lock screen on your smartphone is among the most effective methods to
keep your phone secure
Florence recommends enabling Lost Mode on an iPhone or using the “Lock My Phone” feature via Android Device Manager to secure your device from prying eyes, theft, or
hackers
unable to gain entry to your confidential photographs, banking applications, or other personal data.

Should your iPhone go missing, you’re able to secure it from afar with a remote lock feature, regardless of whether you’ve chosen to use a passcode or not. Follow these steps for assistance:

Navigate to Find My iPhone.
Log in.
Tap the device options located at the upper part of the screen.
Choose your lost iPhone.
Click “Lost Mode.”
Choose a contact number.
Click “Next.”
Compose a note for anyone who might come across your lost phone.
Click “Done.”

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For Android devices, the Find My Device feature can secure your phone by locking it and allowing you to create a password, PIN, or pattern if you do not currently have one set. Follow these instructions:

Navigate to Find My Device.
Sign in utilizing the Google account linked to your mobile device.
If you own multiple phones, select the desired device from the menu located at the top of your screen.
Click on “Secure Device.”
Compose a message along with a contact telephone number so others can reach you if they come across your lost phone.
Click “Secure Device.”

About the experts

Eric Florence

serves as a security analyst and contributing author for CyberInsider, a leading source of news related to cybersecurity and technological advancements. With deep expertise in digital privacy, antivirus solutions, and professional writing, they have gained recognition on various tech and career-oriented websites like Digital Guardian and OwlGuru.

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