Losing an Android phone can feel like losing part of ourselves, with its vast collection of personal memories, conversations, and sensitive banking details stored therein. Thoughts of it being lost send chills down one’s spine – however there are ways technology provides protections to ensure our digital companions never truly disappear – this guide will cover various ways Android tracking apps exist as well as emphasizing ethical use practices when tracking Android devices.
Built-in Android Tracking Features
Android users have several native services at their disposal for device tracking: Google’s Find My Device service is seamlessly integrated into Android ecosystem, making locating misplaced gadgets straightforward; for Samsung fans there’s SmartThings Find, which provides more functionalities tailored to Samsung products; these built-in services represent just the tip of the iceberg; there are additional third-party applications with more specialized features that might also come in handy.
Utilizing Google’s Find My Device
Google Find My Device has become the cornerstone of Android tracking solutions, thanks to its straightforward setup process and automatic activation upon signing into any Google account on any device running Android 8.0 Oreo or later. Offering peace of mind without manual setup steps.
Getting Started with Find My Device
To activate Find My Device, navigate to Settings > Security & privacy > Find My Device and turn the option on. Whenever necessary, this service can be accessed using its dedicated website or app on another device.
Via the Find My Device Website
Web-based interface is ideal when an alternative device isn’t readily accessible; accessible from any computer with internet. Once logged into Google Account, devices list will show their locations, battery statuses and last seen online dates; with options like playing sound alerts or even wiping data for easier management if required.
Using the Find My Device App
This app mirrors web functionality with additional features like providing directions to where a device was last known to be and streamlining the process for wiping it off.
Tracking a Samsung Android Device
Samsung users have access to SmartThings Find service, an advanced tracking solution available through their website that features real-time location updates, remote locking capability, data erasure capability and extended battery life extension capabilities.
Setting Up SmartThings Find
Unlock Find My Mobile by going into Settings, Security & Privacy > Find My Mobile > Allow this phone to be found and clicking Allow this phone be found. When enabled, tracking can be easily accessed online through either its website or app and provides you with a detailed map showing devices as well as numerous control options for their tracking and location services.
Exploring Third-Party Tracking Apps
Outshout native solutions, the app market offers third-party apps with unique capabilities.
Life360: Live Location Sharing
Life360 was developed specifically with families in mind and provides live tracking, private messaging, driving speed monitoring for parents of teenagers and more – an all-in-one package to protect family safety that starts from $15 monthly with an impressive free tier available as part of your subscription package.
Prey: Find My Phone & Security
Prey has long been considered one of the go-to device tracking solutions, boasting features such as remote locking, map tracking and photo taking with its cameras. Once beloved before built-in features became standard, Prey now mainly caters more towards organizational requirements but remains available as an individual option (albeit through subscription fees).
Final Thoughts
Losing an Android device doesn’t need to be an immense catastrophe in today’s digital era, thanks to built-in services like Google Find My Device and Samsung SmartThings Find, along with various third-party applications for keeping track of it easier than ever before. Between native tools like Find My Device or third party applications specialized for keeping tabs on devices (Find My Device and SmartThings Find respectively) as well as third-party services available you have multiple tools at your fingertips that keep tabs on not just yourself but others’ data secure; ethical usage should never violate anyone elses’s rights, in any case of theft!
