Losing your phone is a nightmare. But what if it’s not just misplaced, but actually turned off? That could mean someone intentionally turned it off to keep you from tracking it, or worse, it could be dead. Finding a turned-off Android phone can seem like an impossible task, but don’t panic just yet. With a few tricks up your sleeve, you might just be able to locate your missing device.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some methods you can use to find your Android phone when it’s turned off. We’ll explore different scenarios where your phone might be turned off, and give you tips to help you locate it in each situation. So the next time you lose your phone, you’ll know exactly what to do.
1. Use Google’s Find My Device Service
The most effective way to locate your Android phone when it’s turned off is by using Google’s Find My Device service. This feature is automatically enabled on most devices running Android 8.0 and above, but it never hurts to double-check that it’s enabled on your device as well.
Enable Find My Device on Your Android Phone
To make sure Find My Device is enabled on your Android device, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap on Security & Location.
- Look for the Find My Device option and tap on it.
- Make sure the toggle next to Use Find My Device is turned on.
Once you’ve enabled Find My Device on your phone, you’re all set to use it to locate your missing device. Keep reading to find out how.
How to Locate Your Turned-Off Android Phone Using Find My Device
- Open a web browser on your computer or another device and go to android.com/find.
- Sign in with the Google account associated with your missing phone.
- You’ll see a map with the location of your device (if it’s turned on) and some options below it.
- If your phone is turned off, click on Play Sound. This will make your phone ring at full volume, even if it’s on silent mode. This may help you locate your phone if it’s nearby.
- If you believe your phone has been stolen, click on Secure Device. This will lock your phone, display a custom message on the lock screen, and let you track its location until it’s turned back on.
- If you think you won’t be able to retrieve your phone, you can also click on Erase Device to remotely wipe all data from your device.
Keep in mind that these features will only work if your phone is connected to the internet. If it’s not, try the next method.
2. Use Your Phone Carrier’s Tracking Service
If you’re unable to locate your Android phone using Google’s Find My Device service, your next best option is to turn to your phone carrier for help. Many carriers offer their own tracking services that allow you to locate your phone even when it’s turned off.
To use this feature, you’ll need to have previously set up an account with your carrier and enabled tracking on your device. Check with your carrier to see if they offer this service and how to enable it. Once set up, you should be able to log in to your carrier’s website or app to track your device’s location.
3. Use Third-Party Tracking Apps
If you didn’t have any luck with the first two methods, don’t worry. There are also many third-party apps you can use to track your Android phone when it’s turned off. Some of these apps even have additional features like remote locking and data wiping, similar to Google’s Find My Device service.
Some popular tracking apps for Android include Prey, Cerberus, and Where’s My Droid. These apps offer a range of features and work in different ways, so be sure to do some research and choose the one that best fits your needs. Most of these apps require you to install them on your device before it goes missing, so it’s a good idea to have one of these apps set up on your phone as a precaution.
4. Use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Scanning
If your phone is out of battery or has been turned off for a long time, using the methods mentioned above may not yield any results. In this case, you might have to get a little creative. One way to locate your phone is by using the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning feature on your Android device.
When you turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning in your device’s location settings, it will periodically scan for nearby devices and networks and send this information back to Google to improve location accuracy. Although this feature may not give you an exact location of your device, it could help narrow down the search area and give you a better idea of where your phone might be.
To turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning on your Android device, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap on Location.
- Turn on the toggle next to Bluetooth Scanning and Wi-Fi Scanning.
Once you’ve enabled these settings, keep an eye out for any updates on your missing device’s location in Google’s Find My Device service.
5. Use IMEI Tracking
If all else fails, you can use your device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number to track its location. Every phone has a unique IMEI number that can be found by dialing `*
06#` on your device or by checking the original packaging.
Once you have your device’s IMEI number, you can report it as missing to your carrier, who can then use it to track the device’s location. However, this method can be time-consuming and may require a police report if the phone was stolen. You can also try using IMEI tracking websites and apps, but these may not always be reliable.
6. Use Other Phones in Your Household
If you’ve misplaced your phone at home and it’s turned off, you can enlist the help of other phones in your household. If you’ve set up Google Assistant on your Android device, you can use another device to say “Hey Google, find my phone” and your missing device should start ringing at full volume.
Another option is to call your phone from another device. Even if it’s turned off, it might still ring and help you locate it. This will only work if you haven’t turned off your phone’s ringer.
Conclusion
Losing a turned-off Android phone can be stressful, but don’t give up hope just yet. With the methods mentioned in this article, you’ll have a good chance of locating your missing device. Remember to stay calm and try out each method until you find your phone. And in the future, take precautions such as setting up tracking services and keeping your phone ringer on to make the search easier.
