Is it possible to find a lost phone if you know the IMEI number? And is there any point in writing a statement to the police? Searching for a turned off Android smartphone after theft: actions to suppress and protect personal data.

Useful tips

I’ll look at a pressing question today: how to find a lost Android phone, and in very cool and cool ways.

All smartphones work via Android or iOS. The iOS security system is known to everyone and is carried out using a special program that allows you to track and find your phone. But what should Android owners do? Is there protection here and is it possible to find a lost phone? Let's figure it out further.

How to find a lost android phone when the phone is lost

Unfortunately, situations often occur when a phone is stolen or lost, and the question arises of how to find a lost Android phone. Many of you will immediately go to the nearest police station with a statement, but at the same time you know that the option positive result minimum.

Now I will tell you about reliable and effective ways to find a smartphone, rather than contacting the authorities. In order for you to find your smartphone and track its location, complex actions not required. However, you must have a Google account. If your data is not entered into the phone, you will not be able to find it.

You need to independently activate the “Remote control” item, in other words, set all the parameters. To do this, go to “My location” in the smartphone settings and check the “Allow tracking coordinates” box.

As you can see, everything is easy and simple. Google takes security very seriously. personal information, therefore, by checking the box, your smartphone will always be connected in case of loss.

How to search via computer

Exists Android service Device Manager especially for searching through a computer, but if the gadget is turned off or all settings have been reset, then the capabilities are not so functional. However, no one claimed that thieves would be masters of this business, did they? To search for a device using this method, you must do the following on your computer:

Follow the special remote control link https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager.
Enter your username and password, and then log into your account. If you don’t have an account yet, be sure to create one, as it is very useful and necessary (after creation, also log into your account via your smartphone).
Next everything happens in automatic mode, and you will see a window with the following information.

As you can see in the example, here you can remotely block your smartphone through your computer by pressing the appropriate button. You can also make a call or clear all data from the device’s memory.

If your phone is lost at home

Due to forgetfulness or his own absent-mindedness, a person can easily lose his phone at home. In this case, you can call yourself using this program via the Internet.

Within a few minutes your phone will ring, and this does not depend at all on established mode. This way, even when on silent, the phone will ring loudly and you can easily find it.

Send a message to a lost or stolen phone

If you have lost a gadget, and the person who found it wants to return it to the owner, because even in our time there are responsible people among us, then this can be contributed to. You can send a message to the number that will appear on the screen lost smartphone. We use the same service and the “Configure data blocking and deletion” button.

In the window that appears, you can do the following:

Enter a password with which you can lock the device.
Write a message, after reading which the person will return the mobile phone.

If it is not possible to return the gadget, then it is recommended to protect your personal data. To do this, click the “Clear” button. In this case, everything will be deleted and the phone will go to standard factory settings.

Additional programs

Besides remote access There are many other programs with similar functionality. The best of them is Lost Android. It is installed on the phone in the same way as other programs, that is, using the Play Market.

Helpful tip: after installation, the program will appear as Personal Notes with the appearance of a regular notebook. This is done so that thieves do not suspect anything. So don't worry if you don't find this program as recorded in the Market.

After running this program, give it administrator rights. To do this, press the appropriate button. How to do this can be seen from the screenshot below.

Then go to the official website of the application and log in again via Google. Enter your username and password, and then log into your account. All available functions are listed there.

These two methods I listed, through Google and the program, allow you to find even a turned off smartphone. This is achieved by Google services record the moment when the device was turned on last time, and location accordingly.

Find a phone by imei (via satellite) and by SIM card (by mobile phone number)

Here I hasten to disappoint, none of these methods will give results even through a computer using a phone number. Only law enforcement agencies, and even then the most advanced ones, can track the imei number via a computer. Those in the provinces may not rely on this method.

Of course, through a computer using a SIM card, you can determine extremely vague data like “Your phone is located in the city of Ivanovo.” Modern search services will not provide correct and accurate information; only the police have such technologies.

By phone number, also unlikely. Because as soon as they find the phone and want to keep it, they immediately throw away the SIM card, which makes tracking more difficult. You can’t even find it through the computer if it’s turned on (phone), mobile operators They don’t bother themselves with such actions, although they are obliged to.

Do not waste time on these methods, but more about them below, at the end of the article.

Protection with avast! Anti-Theft for Android

In case of loss, you can pre-set your phone. To do this, I found a very interesting program that caught my attention. Here's what to do:

Download avast antivirus! Mobile Security and open it.
Go to the settings menu and check the “PIN code protection” and “Deletion protection” checkboxes. If a person detects an antivirus, he will not be able to get rid of it until he enters the PIN code.
Then create an avast account.
Go to the official antivirus service and click Create Account Now, set your email and enter your password.

From now on, your phone is protected.

Setting up the avast! Anti-Theft in the gadget

The advanced settings menu in this program provides the following functions:

Protective, that is, what needs to be done to the phone if it is lost. You can lock the gadget, set an alarm, block access to settings, and notify about low battery charge.
Blocking text, information deletion and GPS tracking. Here you can enter text that will be displayed on the phone screen. Your device is now completely protected.

Last method

If the previous methods did not produce results for one reason or another, for example, you forgot the login and password for your Google account or did not create an account at all, then there is one more, as they say, as a last resort.

It is impossible to find your smartphone using your phone number. But you, as a victim, can come to the police station, write a statement and attach evidence that this is really your phone. Among them are the following:

Warranty card.
Purchase receipt.
Gadget box.
IMEI code.

Advice for those who have not yet lost their phone: be sure to write down your IMEI code. You can find it out using the command *#06#.

Based on the previous text, finding a phone by imei address is not very easy, more precisely, it is 0.5%, as statistics show, and less every year. But if you decide to go with this method, then I don’t envy you, it’s very difficult, the only worthwhile means is the police.

Finally

That's all, dear friends! I have listed the most reliable methods for finding a stolen phone. In conclusion, I want to give two main and useful tips:

If possible, turn on the Internet on your smartphone to access data in case of loss.
Set a screen lock. This is done like this: security - encrypt the device - set the lock type - password or pattern.

I hope my advice will be useful to you and you will find the answer in the article to the question of how to find a lost Android phone, although it is better not to encounter this situation at all. Subscribe to my blog, leave comments and share the link on social networks.

In most cases, searching by IMEI helps.

Read our material on how to track your device and prevent repeated theft.

Modern technology, in particular, middle and higher price category, are of particular value to pickpockets.

They can steal your device and then resell it on the black market.

A logical question arises: how to track your phone in order to return it? In most cases, searching by IMEI helps.

This code is a unique 15-digit number that the manufacturer assigns to the device before sale.

It is almost impossible to change, even if you remove the SIM card. To find out the IMEI of your terminal, just dial *#06#.

Or it can be found on the box with the device.

But how do things work in practice, and will it be possible to find a device using the phone’s IMEI? The procedure is feasible, but poses a number of difficulties.

Statement to the police

Let's start with the fact that it is not possible to find the device on your own, because operators who store a list of IMEI numbers in the database will not give out the data to third parties without permission law enforcement. They simply don't have the right.

In this regard, the victim is forced to go to the police, leaving a corresponding statement, attaching to it all the accompanying documentation confirming the act of ownership:

1) box;

2) purchase receipt;

3) warranty card.

It’s worth mentioning right away that the matter is very troublesome, but if you are an influential official, and the device stores a lot of important corporate and personal data, this will significantly speed up the search.

Checking against the official database

According to the legislation of Russia and Ukraine, the law enforcement officer is obliged to go to court, convincing the judges to obtain permission to search for information about the current position of the mobile terminal.

If the go-ahead is received and required document signed, the representative of the authorities turns to the national operator with a request to provide information about the IMEI code of interest.

Important: The identifier must be “white”, i.e. officially included in legislative framework mobile devices. IfIMEI is “gray”, i.e. the device was brought illegally from abroad, you may be subject to additional fines and criminal prosecution for using contraband.

Even if the operative received all the data, this does not indicate the success of the search.

Based on the information received, investigative measures will be carried out in order to track the current location. In other words, they will try to find the phone via satellite.

In most cases, the device is still located.

Remember that modern smartphones are mini-computers with an OS on board.

Smart thieves can using software methods change the unique identifier, after which no one will be able to find the phone.

This method is very complex and is only profitable when stealing very expensive or rare specimens; moreover, only a few are taken per shift.

The second point is the same trial. Your application may not be satisfied, and then further actions will no longer be possible.

Independent search on the Internet will also not lead to anything good.

Let's start with the fact that reliable information about IMEI can only be provided by an operator who, under no circumstances, will store its database on any dubious third party resources.

If you are asked to send an SMS message of any content to receive data, this is a common scam. At best, you will lose money in your account.

Alternative search methods

To protect yourself as much as possible from theft or loss, follow the following points described below.

Fill out the business card in the device profile, indicating contact details, including an alternative phone number, email and residential address.

If a respectable citizen finds the device, he will be able to dock with you, returning the lost item.

Install additional software that will automatically send SMS to specified number, if someone changed the SIM card in the phone.

If you are the owner of a product from Apple and other services. In addition, activate the Find My iPhone service.

This will help you calculate current location gadget via the Internet.

Losing a mobile phone becomes modern man a real tragedy, because it stores contacts, correspondence, passwords to social networks, banking applications and much more. There are many ways to find lost phones, but not all of them are as effective as they should be. And some methods do not give any results at all. Many people ask: is it possible to find a phone by IMEI via satellite for free?

Let's figure out what this technique is and what its effectiveness is.

What is IMEI

IMEI is the unique identification number of a mobile phone. It consists of 15 digits and does not change when the number is changed. IMEI is flashed into the phone's memory and stored there forever, so changing it is very problematic. In some countries, this process is criminalized, which is why there is no need to experiment with changing this number. IMEI is tied directly to the phone. It is transmitted to the cellular network as one of the equipment identifiers.

If the device supports two SIM cards, then there will be two IMEI numbers, not one. Thus, cellular networks track the correspondence between IMEI and phone number. All this allows us to produce remote locks equipment and search for lost or stolen telephones.

To find out the IMEI of your mobile phone, look under the battery or dial *#06#. It is also indicated in the warranty card and on the packaging.

How to find a phone by IMEI

Searching for a phone by IMEI occurs as follows:

A request is submitted to law enforcement agencies (documents on the phone are also provided there);
Law enforcement agencies submit requests to mobile operators (together with IMEI);
Cellular operators search for the device in their databases and find out who owns the SIM card that is installed in this device;
The received data is sent to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

Thus, you can find a phone by IMEI, but satellites have absolutely nothing to do with it, since cellular has nothing to do with satellites. What will law enforcement officers do? They will find out who owns the SIM card and find who is using the phone in this moment. It is possible to find a stolen phone by IMEI, but the police most often do not do this. The exception is complex cases when the police are interested in solving the case and catching the criminal. In other cases, no one is looking for stolen phones, although technical feasibility everything is just like that.

Moreover, operators are able to block lost phones at their level, depriving them of the opportunity to register in their networks (in practice, this feature is practically not used). Is it possible to find a phone by IMEI if it is simply lost? Neither the police nor mobile operator. Searching is labor-intensive, and the police are not a lost-and-found office. Therefore, by searching lost phone you will have to study on your own, without relying on anyone’s help.

Looking for a phone on our own

Your phone was stolen and you want to find it by IMEI online? We dare to assure you that this is practically impossible. There are simply no services on the network that could show the location of the phone by its IMEI. The only way out will be the use of special tracking services that allow you to track modern smartphones by reading their approximate coordinates and transmitting them via the Internet. All other services are nothing more than fantasy.

IN Lately Services have begun to appear on the Internet that allow you to find out whether a phone with one or another IMEI is listed as missing. That is, people register their devices in these services, after which they have additional chances of finding their phones if they are lost. Naturally, there is no talk about tracking phones here - these services are purely informational. And they are not widely used, so the chances of finding a lost handset using them are still small.

Finding a phone by IMEI via satellite is nothing more than a picture from a science fiction movie. Therefore, count on the availability of such services in real life no need to.

For the modern user, the smartphone has become not just an expensive toy, but also a place of work, study, and an opportunity to communicate with the whole world. Therefore, for many people, its loss can bring tangible financial and personal problems.

If your gadget is lost, you can return it with the help of a few simple tips. You can find your phone in several ways: it is important to understand that the choice of device search option depends mainly on operating system, on which he works. It can be an Android, iOS or Windows Mobile system.

There are many methods that can be used on all systems to find a stolen phone, even if it is not connected to the Internet.

Call or send SMS

Sometimes a simple phone call may be enough. If it has not been stolen or disabled, then there is a high probability that it will be found and returned to the owner.

Lost phone

If the call is not answered, you must send an SMS with information about the loss and a request to call back to the specified number. Precautions should be taken when confronting the person who discovered the phone. It could be an intruder. The meeting must be scheduled in a public place during daylight hours. It is better not to come alone, but to take another person with you.

Search phone

It often happens that lost device may end up in your bag, car or home. It's worth checking everything carefully possible places and things in the apartment and at work before taking active steps.

Contact your mobile operator

Regardless of whether the phone is turned on or not, the operator can track its SIM card using GPS.

If this fails, the operator will block the card so that thieves cannot use it to make a call or withdraw funds.

Contact law enforcement

If you know for sure that the smartphone has been stolen, then the first thing you need to do is file a report with the police. It is necessary to indicate the time and place of the disappearance and the signs of the abductor.

To search for a device through the police, it is advisable to have the following:

device brand and model;
unique identification number;
passport;
documents for purchase (receipt, receipt, box);
phone photo.

How more information If the department employees know about the missing gadget, the greater the chance of successfully finding the device.

Stealing a phone from a bag

To advertise

An effective way may be to advertise in newspapers or on Internet sites with a message about the loss and a phone number. This is especially important if it is turned off.

Using IMEI

IMEI is unique number device, which is located on its battery, under the case or on the box. You can also find it out by dialing the call command *#06# in advance. This number must be entered into one of the lost device registries.

The most popular of them:

sndeep.info;
xinit.ru;
gsmpress.ru/passport;
MissingPhones.org.

On the site you can check whether the gadget was previously wanted, file a missing person report, and read useful instructions on how to find a missing or stolen phone.

Attention! Possible fraud. It must be remembered that such sites do not provide services for determining the location of a device by IMEI. This can only be done by the mobile operator.

How to find a missing Android

In addition to those described above, the Android system offers its users several ways to quick search missing devices:

Using a Google account

If you have a Google account on your device, then you need to go to the website, enter your account login and password and enable remote control. If the device is on the network, the system will determine its location with an accuracy of 200 meters.

The service will also help you find your phone number. Google Maps, which displays the movement history of the smartphone. To do this, the Geolocation function must be enabled on it.

Your phone's location feature should always be turned on.

Using the app

There are several applications for finding a device that are installed in advance and have several useful functions. Firstly, it is possible to determine the position of the phone using geolocation, and if this does not work, then block all data on it.

Popular search engines for Android:

Lost Android - the application looks like a regular notepad, so the attacker will not even realize that it is transmitting data about the location of the gadget.
Lookout – turns on a beacon on the map, allowing you to find a phone with geolocation enabled by address. The program has a built-in antivirus and detailed system scan.
Find my device – can signal with sound the location of the gadget, which allows you to find even a hidden device.

Even nowadays, phone theft is a common occurrence.

Using Device Manager

On every smartphone with Android system you can use data administration to protect it. To do this, you need to find the “Device Manager” item in the settings and allow the device to:

erase user data;
change screen lock code;
lock screen.

How to find a lost Android phone if it's turned off

If the device is turned off or not online, you need to use your account and turn on the Lost Mode feature. This will lock the device and prevent attackers from using its functions.

You can disable this mode by entering special password V personal account Google.

How to find a missing iOS

Developers iPhone smartphones provided its owners with a wide range of services for searching for lost and stolen gadgets:

“FindMyPhone” is recognized as the best application for finding a missing device on iOS

Using an iCloud account

To do this, you need to log in from another device to iCloud app or to the website and activate the “Lost Mode” function. This will limit free access to the gadget and will lead to main screen missing message with user contact information.

IN iCloud features This includes deleting all user information from the smartphone. This completely locks the device, making it unusable. further use without entering a special password. True, it will no longer be possible to return deleted data if the device is found.

Using the application

Several useful applications will help you locate your lost device:

Finding iPhone is the most popular app has functions: data blocking, displaying a lost message on the main screen, sound signal;
Tracker Plus - in addition to the capabilities described above, allows you to build a route for the smartphone. An Internet connection is not required for this; just the “Geolocation” function turned on is enough;
Contact if found – the application allows you to display information about the owner on the desktop screensaver.

To search for your missing smartphone, log in Google app or iCloud

How to find a missing iOS phone if it's turned off

If the device is turned off, its current location cannot be detected. But, with the help iCloud service You can find out the location of the device before turning it off. To do this, you need to enable the “Find my phone” and “Geolocation” functions in the settings in advance. In the future, the application will show the label last activity smartphone.

Unfortunately, this option is only available for iOS 8 and higher. It is not supported on earlier models.

How to find a missing Windows Phone

For Windows devices, there is a search from your account on the Microsoft website. If the smartphone has been authorized in the system, the “Find Phone” function will show its current location.

If the phone was turned off (or discharged), then using account Microsoft can block or delete a user's personal data.

Some useful tips to protect your phone from theft and protect personal data.

You need to register in advance Google services and iCloud is the most effective method to find the device.
Setting a password or graphic key on the phone will prevent the thief from gaining access to personal data.
The enabled Geolocation function will ensure constant tracking of the device on the map.
The sooner measures are taken to find the phone and block the SIM card, the greater the likelihood of avoiding loss of funds from the account and leakage of personal information.

This is done as follows:

Go to settings, then go to the “Security” menu (on some versions “Protection”), then click on “Device Administrators” appearance which is shown in Figure No. 1.

The “Device Administrators” section contains a single item called “Device Manager”. There is a checkbox next to it. Actually, all the user needs to do is check that box and exit the settings. However, after the checkbox is checked, a message will appear, the appearance of which is shown in Figure No. 2.

This message talks about what this very “Device Manager” can do, and specifically:

Delete all data from the device;
Change passwords on it;
Block your phone.

You just need to agree to this message by clicking on the “Activate” button.

Note: On all versions of Android, starting from 5.0, all the above settings do not need to be done. In them, the device manager is enabled by default.

By the way, this is the only case when a stolen or lost phone on the Android platform can be found without any actions taken before its loss - if it has operating system version 5.0 or higher. In all other cases, it is simply impossible to find him without the help of law enforcement agencies.

That's all. The process of connecting the phone, in fact, to the tracking service is completed. Now you can try to find out the location of the device. To do this, you need to follow the automatic device tracking link, which looks like this: www.google.com/android/devicemanager. Of course, you will need to log in there, if this has not been done earlier. After this, the system itself, automatically, will find the phone that is registered to this account. Again, so that the phone is tied to Google account, you need to log in to it with Google once. The look of the window itself is quite classic for similar programs.

In Figure No. 3 highlighted main panel management. As you can see, it has three buttons that allow you to do test call, block it or clear all data from the device. To carry out one of these actions, you just need to click on the appropriate button. In addition, this window has a map where you can see the real location of the phone. Even if it is now turned off, the system will show the place where the phone was during its last connection to the Internet. Thus, we can say that Google services are simply indispensable help if you have lost your phone. They allow you to track the location of the device via a computer in a matter of minutes.

Method number 2. Using pre-installed programs

In general, there are quite a lot of all kinds of programs that help in finding a lost phone via the Internet. All of them perform the same function as Google’s “Device Manager,” namely, displaying the device’s location on a map, but each has its own unique features in terms of functionality, interface, or other nuances. Therefore, below is a list of the most popular programs to find a phone or other device on the Android platform via the Internet:

Lost Android

This program is interesting, first of all, because attackers really know little about it, and even if the phone ends up in their hands, they are unlikely to realize that such a program is on it. Accordingly, they will not understand that the owner may know where his device is currently located. And all thanks to the fact that in the list of Lost Android programs it is displayed simply as Personal Notes and has a shortcut to a regular notepad. Accordingly, the attacker will think that this is just some kind of notebook and nothing more.

On the official website of this program (http://www.androidlost.com/) you can find a download link and full instructions by use. To start using Lost Android, you must also log in to Google using the button highlighted in Figure 4.

Lost Android features are:

Find out the location of the phone;
Give sound signal(for example, a siren);
Make the device vibrate;
Send an email about an incorrectly entered PIN code;
Send the location of the device by email.

Lookout Security & Antivirus

Here we're talking about about a complete system for protecting your phone from unauthorized access, viruses and spyware and from other various threats. In addition, functions standard for such programs are available, such as location determination, sound notification and device locking. Among the features, it is worth noting an unusual interface that will appeal to high-tech lovers, as well as the ability to recover data from a phone that was in the hands of attackers. In general, also very useful application if you lost your phone.

By the way, the Lookout Security & Antivirus application is often included in the TOPs of the best on Google Play(link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout&hl=ru), and the 4.5 rating says a lot!

Where's My Droid

Everything here is based on sending an SMS message with a special syntax. So, using special codes, you can make the phone ring itself or send its coordinates to a given phone. IN Pro version it is also possible to do hidden photos. This means that the person holding the device in his hands will not even know that he is being photographed at that moment, and the resulting photos are sent to the specified email. Download link – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alienmanfc6.wheresmyandroid&hl=ru.

All these programs allow you to find your phone through your computer.

Method No. 3. Law enforcement

So, if you have an Android version on your phone less than 5.0 and no special programs You haven’t installed it before, there is only one way left, which is to contact the police. There you just need to write a missing person report mobile phone. It is possible that law enforcement officers will be able to recognize your device by IMEI, that is, a unique identifier that every phone has.

Advice for those who have not yet lost their phone. Write down your ID somewhere so that law enforcement officers can later recognize your device by IMEI. To find it out, you just need to dial *#06# on your phone.

The application will need to indicate all the phone information. To prove that you are its owner, take with you a box, a receipt from the store, or any other documents and things that may indicate this.

Below you can clearly see how a phone search occurs using standard services Android connected to Google.