Find, lock, or erase your lost Android device

If you lose an Android phone or tablet, or Wear OS watch, you can find, lock, or erase it. If you've added a Google Account to your device, Find My Device is automatically turned on.

Tip: To find, lock, or erase your Wear OS device, connect it to WiFi or mobile data.

Learn about how to find an Android device.

To find an Android device, make sure that device:

  • Is signed in to a Google Account
  • Has Location turned on
  • Has Find My Device turned on
  • Has power and is connected to mobile data or WiFi.
  • Is visible on Google Play

To lock or erase an Android device, make sure that device:

  • Has power
  • Is connected to mobile data or WiFi
  • Is signed in to a Google Account
  • Has Find My Device turned on
  • Is visible on Google Play
If you use 2-step Verification, go to 2-step Verification backups.

Find, secure, or erase your device remotely

Important: If you find your device after you erase it, to use your device again, you need your Google Account password. Learn about device protection.

  1. On a browser, go to android.com/find.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account.
    • If you have more than one device: At the top of the sidebar, select the lost device.
    • If your lost device has more than one user profile: Sign in with a Google Account that's on the main or personal profile.
  3. The lost device gets a notification.
  4. On the map, you'll get info about where the device is.
    • The location is approximate and may not be accurate.
    • If your device can't be found, you may find its last known location, if available.
  5. If you get a prompt, tap Enable lock & erase.
  6. Select what you want to do:
    • Play sound: Rings your device at full volume for 5 minutes, even if it's set to silent or vibrate.
    • Secure device: Locks your device with your PIN or password. If you don't have a lock, you can set one. To help someone return your device to you, you can add a message or device number to the lock screen.
    • Erase device: Permanently deletes all data on your device, but may not delete SD cards. After you erase, Find My Device won't work on the device.
Use Find My Device app
  1. On another Android phone or tablet, open the Find My Device app .
  2. Sign in.
    • If your own device is lost: Tap Continue as [your name].
    • If you're helping a friend: Tap Sign in as guest and let your friend sign in.
  3. From the listed devices, select the device you want to locate. 
    • You’ll find the same options listed in the above steps.
  4. You may be prompted to provide the lock screen PIN for the Android device you want to locate. This applies to Android 9 or higher. If the device you want to find doesn’t use a PIN, or runs Android 8 or lower, you may be prompted for your Google password.
  5. Follow the same steps on find, lock, or erase a device remotely.
Find your device with your Wear OS watch

If you lose your Android phone or tablet that’s connected to a Wear OS smartwatch, you can find it with your watch. Learn how to find your phone with your watch.

Find your Android device's IMEI number

To disable the device, your mobile service provider can utilize your device's IMEI number. You can find your device's IMEI number in your phone's settings or with Find My Device.

To locate your device's IMEI with the Find My Device app:

  1. Open the Find My Device App .
  2. Select the device you want to locate.
  3. Tap the gear icon .

To locate your device's IMEI on a web browser:

  1. Go to android.com/find.
  2. Next to the device, tap the icon.

How Find My Device handles your data

To help you find a lost Android device, Google collects certain info. Some of this functionality uses Google Play services. For example, Find My Device collects:

  • Approximate and precise locations or other identifiers for service functionality purposes.
  • Personal identifiers for service functionality, fraud prevention, security, and compliance purposes. We use these identifiers to associate your Android devices to your account.

Other data that Find My Device collects is encrypted in transit. You can delete all devices and their locations through the Find My Device app.

Watch a video about finding your device

Find My Device

Get more help

If you can’t find your lost or stolen device, learn more about how to secure your Google Account.

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Learn how to use your Android device and get the most out of Google. Get step-by-step guides and instructional videos on how to set up your phone, customize your settings, and use apps.

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