Misplaced, lost or stolen? There are a ton of apps on the Play store for that. Way too many to list here, but I’ve chosen a few which I think can help you get your Droid back when it’s gone. Provided you install one, before it’s gone!
Losing your Android is bad. Losing your Android device that has no password or security pin set is even worse. Your personal info and data can be far more valuable than say the price of replacing a phone or a tablet. Whoever took it now has access to all your personal info. They can read or post on your Facebook, read your email and use the control they have of your mail box to reset other passwords, your twitter account for instance. It’s always a good idea to use a pattern lock or code to lock your device, which obviously helps prevent your electronic life being exposed when your device goes A.W.O.L.
Lets have a look at some of the apps available to help you track an Android device:
Where’s My Droid [Free]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alienmanfc6.wheresmyandroid
The free version of this app is as basic they come. It allows you to send a command via sms which can make the phone ring (even in silent mode) or send you it’s current GPS coordinates.
If the sim is removed, you’ll be able to access the same basic features over the internet. The paid option allows pictures to be taken with the camera, remote lock or wipe.
Plan B [Free]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb
Another super simple app is Plan B. It can help you find your device using either cell towers, GPS or both. It also has a ping tracking option which updates you with the current location every 10 minutes via email. It automatically switches to SMS if no 3G or WiFi is available. Which is pretty cool.
Android Lost Free [Free]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androidlost
Very awesome and slightly more advanced app, Apart the usual location and remote wipe, you can also do things like remotely enable or disable WiFi and 3G. I cant see why you would want to do this, but you can. It either uses SMS or data connection, depending on whatever is available. Another really cool feature is the ability to send you the call history. Plus you can take mug shots of the perps using the cameras. Probably the least useful but most fun would be the ability to make the phone speak text out loud using Androids text-speech engine.
SeekDroid [Free to download / $2.99 subscription]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.gtmedia.seekdroid.lite&feature
This one is very similar to Android Lost Free, but the paid version allows you to set a virtual GPS fence and alert you when the phone moves out of a pre-defined area on Google maps. The paid service offers in depth tracking history and support across multiple devices. Worth checking out.
AntiDroidTheft [Free]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.antidroidtheft&feature
Here’s another free and simple one. This one managed to help the owner to not only find his phone, but his car at the same time! It offers all the basics, but also lets you remotely view the photo gallery. Check the clip out.
Could one track another device even if not stolen, I could just ask Kurt but seems more appropiate this way….
Hi Rob, if it is your device you could just use this: https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager If it is someone elses device you would need to install one of the tracking apps on it, with their permission of coarse.
Thanks, quick response time, I like……
Awesome, always used Prey before but it’s good to have a few selected to look for through the masses on play store!
Thanks!