Fix issues with Find My Device

You can fix problems with Find My Device if it doesn’t find your device or accessory or work correctly on your Android device.

Device location is unavailable

Find My Device may be unable to locate your device if:

• It doesn’t have power or has been turned off.
• It doesn’t have cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • This could be due to poor signal strength or the device's location.
  • The device's SIM card may have been removed.
• It was damaged.
• It was put in Airplane mode or Wi-Fi was turned off.

Get help from a friend

1. On another device, like a friend’s phone, sign in to Find My Device.
   • You can either do this with Guest Mode on a friend’s device or on the web.
2. Select the device.
3. Tap Mark as lost.
   • If the device comes online: You can either select Secure Device or Erase device.
   • If you believe your device can’t be found: Contact your mobile provider, if possible, to have the device deactivated.
     • You may need your IMEI number. Learn how to find your Android device’s IMEI number.

Can’t access location

Find My Device says “Sync recent location”

Find My Device may be unable to access the recent location of a device or accessory due to location encryption being out of sync.

1. Tap Find My Device .
2. Select the device you want to find.
3. Tap Sync recent location.
   • For your security, to show the most recent location of your device, you may be asked to enter the screen lock of one of your Android devices, or to sign in to your Google Account.
   • Usually, the “Sync recent location” message disappears and you receive a recent location for the device or accessory if it’s available.
   • If you receive the message, “Can’t sync location,” follow the instructions below for “If your recent location didn’t sync.”

If your recent location didn’t sync for an Android device

1. On the Android device where you received the “Can’t sync location” message, check for an “Account action required” notification.
2. Under the ”Account action required” notification, tap Account action required.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Go back to Find my Device .
5. Refresh your device list.
   • If you still find “Sync recent location:”
     1. Tap Sync recent location. 
     2. Sign in or enter your screen lock if asked.

If the Android device status is still “Can’t access location:”

1. Access the Android device where you received the “Can’t sync location” message. 
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Google All Services (if tabs exist) Find My Device.
4. Tap Find your offline devices. 
5. Note the current setting that is selected so that you can reactivate it.
6. To temporarily turn off offline finding, tap Off.
7. To re-initialize set-up of your device, tap on the originally selected setting noted in step 5, such as With network in high-traffic areas.
   • You may be asked to sign in or enter the screen lock of one of your Android devices. 
8. Go back to Find My Device . 
9. Refresh your device list.
   • If you still find “Sync recent location:” 
     1. Tap Sync recent location.
     2. Sign in or enter your screen lock if asked.

Instructions for Android 8.0 and below

For Android 8.0 and below, 

1. On your device, open Settings.
2. Tap Google  All Services (if tabs exist) Find My Device.
3. Turn Store recent location off.
4. Turn Store recent location on. 
   • When “Store recent location” is on, your account stores your encrypted recent locations so you can find offline devices and accessories.

If your recent location didn’t sync for an accessory

1. Factory reset your accessory with the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Reconnect the accessory to your Android device.
3. Go back to Find My Device . 
4. Reload your device list.

Accessory or device out of sync

If you get an email that one of your accessories or devices is out of sync and can’t be found with the Find My Device app:

1. On an Android device signed in to your Google Account, open Find My Device .
2. From the device list, select the device or accessory mentioned in the email.
3. Tap Sync recent location.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. 

Tip: If you don’t have a device connected to the shared Google Account, the problem should automatically resolve when you connect an Android device to your lost device’s account.

Related resources

• Be ready to find a lost Android device
• Find, lock, or erase a lost device
• How Find My Device protects your data
• Find My Device acceptable use policy