Use Google Find My Mobile to locate your Android phone
If you have a Google account linked to your Android phone, you can find it from any web browser by going to google.com/android/find. Sign in with the same Google account you use on your phone. The map will show your phone's location in real time if it is powered on and connected to the internet.
This works even if your phone is on silent or vibrate. You do not need to install anything extra — this feature comes built into Android. If your phone is offline, Google will show you its last known location before it went offline, which can still help you narrow down where to search.
From the Find My Mobile page, you can also ring your phone at full volume, lock it remotely, or erase all data on it if you believe it has been stolen. These options appear on the left side of the screen once your phone is located.
Key Takeaways
- Google Find My Mobile works through any web browser at google.com/android/find and shows your phone's location on a map in real time.
- Your phone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for the location to update; if it is offline, you see the last known location.
- You can ring your phone at full volume, lock it remotely, or erase its data from the same page if you cannot find it physically.
- Samsung phones have a separate Find My Mobile service at findmymobile.samsung.com that works the same way for Samsung accounts.
- Location Services must be turned on in your phone's settings for Find My Mobile to work accurately.
What you need before you can locate your phone
Your phone must have Location Services enabled in its settings. Go to Settings > Location and turn on the toggle. Some phones call this "Location Services" or "GPS" depending on the Android version. Without this on, Find My Mobile will not be able to pinpoint your phone's exact location.
Your Google account must be signed in on the phone. If you set up your Android phone normally, this happened automatically during setup. You can check by going to Settings > Accounts and looking for your Google account in the list.
Your phone needs to be connected to the internet — either Wi-Fi or mobile data. If your phone is completely offline, Find My Mobile cannot track it in real time, but it will show you where it was last connected.
Step-by-step: Finding your phone through Google
Open a web browser on any computer or another phone and go to google.com/android/find. You do not need to use your own device.
Sign in with the Google account that is linked to your missing phone. If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure you sign in with the one you use on the Android phone you are looking for.
Wait a few seconds for the map to load. Your phone will appear as a blue dot on the map. The address or neighborhood will show below the map. If your phone is in a building, the map may show the building's location but not the exact room.
If you see your phone's location, you can now search that area physically. If the location seems wrong or your phone does not appear, check that Location Services is turned on in your phone's settings (if you can access it another way) or try again in a few minutes — the location updates every time your phone connects to the internet.
Using the ring, lock, and erase options
Once your phone appears on the map, three buttons appear on the left side of the screen: Ring, Lock, and Erase. The Ring button makes your phone play a loud sound for five minutes, even if it is on silent. Use this if you think your phone is nearby but you cannot see it.
The Lock button lets you set a new PIN or password on your phone remotely. This prevents someone else from using it if it has been stolen. You can also add a message to the lock screen, such as your phone number or "Please call me."
The Erase button deletes all data on your phone — contacts, photos, messages, everything. Use this only if you are certain your phone is lost and you do not want someone else to access your personal information. Once you erase a phone, you cannot undo it, and you will not be able to locate it anymore.
Samsung phones: Using Find My Mobile instead
If you have a Samsung Android phone, you can also use Samsung Find My Mobile at findmymobile.samsung.com. This works the same way as Google Find My Mobile but uses your Samsung account instead of your Google account. You can use either service — they both work on Samsung phones.
To use Samsung Find My Mobile, sign in with the Samsung account you created during phone setup. If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you can reset it on the Samsung website. The map will show your phone's location once you sign in.
Samsung's version also lets you ring, lock, and erase your phone. Some Samsung phones also have a physical Find My Mobile button in the settings that you can press to send a signal to Samsung's servers, which can help locate your phone even if it is offline.
What to do if your phone does not appear on the map
If your phone does not show up on Find My Mobile, it is likely powered off, out of battery, or not connected to the internet. Check that you are signed in with the correct Google account — if you use multiple accounts, you may be looking at the wrong one.
If you believe your phone has been stolen, contact your mobile carrier and ask them to suspend your account. This prevents someone from using your phone number to make calls or send messages. You can also file a police report, which may help if you need to claim the phone on insurance.
If your phone is truly lost and you cannot find it, you may want to use the Erase option to protect your data. After erasing, you can set up a new phone and restore your data from a Google backup if you had one turned on.
Keeping your phone easier to find in the future
Turn on Location Services now, before you need it. Go to Settings > Location and make sure the toggle is on. Some phones also let you turn on "Improve Location Accuracy," which uses Wi-Fi networks to pinpoint your location more precisely.
Make sure your Google account is signed in on your phone. You can check this in Settings > Accounts. If you ever reset your phone or switch to a new one, sign in with the same Google account so Find My Mobile will work.
Consider turning on Google's automatic backup. Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security and look for "Find My Device." Make sure it is turned on. This ensures your phone can be located even if you forget to check the settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my Android phone if it is turned off?
No, Find My Mobile only works if your phone is powered on and connected to the internet. However, it will show you the last location where your phone was online, which can help you search that area. Some newer Android phones have a feature that lets them send a location signal even when powered off, but this is not standard across all devices.
Does my phone have to be connected to Wi-Fi, or does mobile data work?
Either one works. Your phone just needs to be connected to the internet in some way — Wi-Fi or mobile data from your carrier. If your phone is connected to either, Find My Mobile will update its location in real time.
What if someone else has my phone and turns off Location Services?
Once Location Services is turned off, Find My Mobile cannot track your phone. This is why turning it on now, before you need it, matters. If you suspect theft, contact your mobile carrier to suspend your account and file a police report.
Can I find my phone if I do not remember my Google password?
You will need to sign in to your Google account to use Find My Mobile. If you do not remember your password, go to google.com/accounts/recovery and follow the steps to reset it. You can use your phone number or a recovery email address to verify your identity.
Will Find My Mobile work if my phone is in airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile data. Your phone will not be able to send its location to Google. Make sure Location Services and internet connectivity are both on for Find My Mobile to work.