Losing your smartphone, whether due to having forgotten it somewhere or being stolen on the street, is one of anyone’s biggest fears, since, in addition to being used for calls, it stores passwords, banking applications, work emails and other important data.
Faced with this risk, acting quickly is the most important point to avoid headaches with invasions or theft of money. Before you despair or rush to cancel cards, the computer may be the quickest way to solve the problem.
Both Google (responsible for ) and Apple (creator of ) have excellent systems for tracking the device over the internet. This means that the user does not need to have downloaded any security application before losing their cell phone, as the technology is ready from the factory.
In this guide, the CNN Brazil explains the definitive step-by-step guide on how to act immediately after noticing the device’s absence, ensuring that you can locate your lost cell phone on your computer as accurately as possible.
The step by step for Android users
If your device is a Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi or any other device that uses the Google system, the tool to be accessed is called “Find My Device”. For the search to work well, your cell phone needs to be turned on, with internet access (Wi-Fi or 4G/5G), with location activated and logged into your Google account.
The process is very simple. Using the computer’s browser, access and log in with the same email and password that are on the lost device. At the same time, the website will try to connect with your smartphone.
If successful, a map will appear on the screen showing where it is now or the last location where it had a signal. The screen also informs the battery and the connected Wi-Fi network, which helps a lot to understand if the cell phone was just forgotten at work or if it is traveling around the city.
How to Track iPhone Using iCloud
For those who have an iPhone, the search system is in iCloud and in the “Search” application. Apple has a very interesting advantage: even if the lost cell phone is without internet or turned off (in newer models), it can still send signals via email. Other Apple devices that pass by pick up this signal and send the location to the system anonymously, helping you find your cell phone.
To locate your lost cell phone on your computer, open the internet and access . Enter your Apple email and password (your ID). One good thing is that, to access this page, the system does not ask for that security code that is usually sent via SMS to the cell phone, after all, the platform knows that the user is without their phone at that moment.
On the screen, click “All Devices” and choose your iPhone. The map will show the location in real time so you can decide what to do.
Tap, block or delete: what to do?
As soon as the cell phone appears on the map, both Google and Apple provide three remote control options. The choice will largely depend on how the device was lost:
- Play sound: If the map shows that the cell phone is at the same address as you (at your home or office), choose that option. It will play at full volume for about five minutes, even if the physical button is on silent.
- Protect device (Lost Mode): ideal if you forgot your device in a restaurant or app car. This locks the screen with your password, closes access to registered credit cards, and allows you to place a message on the screen with an alternative phone number so that whoever finds it can call.
- Turn off device: It is the most extreme measure, used in cases of theft, theft or when there is no chance of recovering the device. This command formats everything remotely, deleting photos, accounts and applications. It’s a guarantee that your bank details won’t fall into the wrong hands.
Prevention and blocking on the operator
Security professionals warn that the best defense starts before the problem. Leaving location enabled on a daily basis, using difficult passwords on the lock screen and having photo backups always updated in the cloud are basic precautions nowadays.
Furthermore, if the device was truly stolen, deleting the data does not end the story. You need to call the telephone operator, provide the IMEI number (the device’s identity record, which is found in the box or on the invoice) to block the line and the phone, and register a police report.
