Finding a lost Android phone is usually quite easy with some apps and methods, but what if the phone is turned off? Although it is difficult, tracking a lost device that is turned off is not impossible. Therefore, in our guide “How to Find a Lost Android Phone When It’s Off,” we will discuss a few options you can use to locate your lost or stolen Android phone.
In essence, yes, but it depends on your phone, how long it has been turned off and where you live.
When your lost Android phone is turned off, it loses access to cellular connections and stops reporting its location. Fortunately, Google’s Find My Device network can help locate the phone even when it’s offline, allowing you to track it for a few hours after it has been turned off.
Samsung Galaxy series phones also have a similar feature and can report their last known location before being turned off.
While these features are helpful, the most crucial factor when trying to track a stolen or lost Android phone that is turned off is time. First, you should find your phone’s IMEI number and file a police report, as this can facilitate the recovery of your device.
Google’s Find My Device service allows you to track any Android phone linked to a Google account. This service works similarly to Apple’s Find My app and enables you not only to send notifications to your lost Android phone but also to lock the phone and erase everything on it.
An important point to mention is that Google’s Find My Device tool supports offline tracking, but currently, it only works with the Pixel 8 series. However, Google states that offline functionality will be available worldwide by the end of 2024.
If your phone is assumed to be turned off, you’ll only be able to view its last known location where it last notified Google. If your phone is lost rather than stolen, this may suffice. In the event someone finds and powers on your phone, you can easily send notifications, lock, or factory reset it using the Find My Device feature.
Additionally, you can sign in to the Find My Device app on your friend’s Android phone with your Google account and track your lost and turned off phone from there.
In addition to Google’s Find My Device feature, Samsung phones come with the company’s own phone tracking feature called SmartThings Find.
While Google’s offline finding feature is limited to Pixel 8 at this stage, Samsung’s phone finding tool works offline on almost all mid-range and premium Galaxy devices. You just need to ensure that you have signed in to your Samsung account on the device and that you have previously enabled the feature.
Keep in mind that the device’s offline tracking capability operates only for a few hours after it has been powered off. If you can see your phone’s location, use the “Track Location” option in SmartThings Find to receive notifications every 15 minutes about where it is.
You can check if offline phone finding is enabled on your Galaxy model phone by going to Settings > Security and Privacy > Find My Device Protection.
Another way to find your lost Android phone is by using the Google Maps Timeline feature. As long as you have enabled Location History in Google Maps on your phone, Google Maps can have a detailed history of where your phone has been.
Google Maps Timeline shows every route you’ve taken and every store you’ve visited. While its intended use may not be for finding lost or misplaced Android phones, it’s still a great way to do so. Keep in mind that Location History is disabled by default, so you’ll need to have enabled this feature beforehand to use it.
To use Google Maps Timeline:
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So, what methods have you previously tried for your lost or stolen phone? Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences with us, dear readers of geek.com.tr, through the comments section below.
