How to Use Find My iPhone and Find My Device to Track a Lost Phone
3 min read
Losing your phone is stressful. It holds your photos, contacts, banking apps, emails — basically your life in one place.
The good news? Both Apple and Android have built-in tracking tools that can help you recover a lost or stolen handset. Taking a few minutes to set them up now could save you hours of panic later — and in some cases, stop a thief in their tracks.
Why these tools matter
- Locate instantly: See your phone’s location on a map in real-time.
- Secure your data: Lock or wipe your phone remotely if you can’t get it back.
- Make it ring: Even on silent, you can force your phone to play a sound.
- Peace of mind: You’ve got a safety net ready if the worst happens.
Without these tools, you’re left guessing — and worse, leaving your data exposed.
How to set up Find My iPhone (Apple)
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Select Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Toggle on Find My iPhone, Find My network, and Send Last Location.
Once set, you can track your phone via iCloud.com or another Apple device.
Turning on “Send Last Location” means your phone will share its last known position before the battery runs out.
How to set up Find My Device (Android)
- Open Settings.
- Go to Security (sometimes Security & Location).
- Select Find My Device.
- Toggle it ON.
- Make sure Location services are enabled.
Then head to Google Find My Device or another Android device to track it.
Location Services must stay enabled — without it, Find My Device won’t be able to locate your phone.
Safety reminders
- Test your tracking tool before you need it, so you know how it works.
- Back up your phone regularly — tracking helps with recovery, but backups protect your data.
- If you lend your phone to kids or relatives, make sure tracking is still active.
- Don’t chase a thief — share the location with police instead.
Prevention + Protection = Maximum peace of mind
Prevention: Tracking tools are a simple, powerful way to locate a missing phone and protect your data.
Protection: Sometimes phones can’t be recovered — or they come back broken. That’s where BiMPY steps in with cover for theft, loss, and accidental damage, all on rolling 30-day policies with no cancellation fees.
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