If you’ve lost or had your Samsung phone stolen, you can utilize Samsung Cloud to recover it. This powerful tool enables you to track your device’s GPS location, as well as lock or ring it, even if it is offline or set to silent.
1. Create Your Samsung Account
In order to track your missing Samsung Galaxy phone, you will need a Samsung account. If you haven’t created one yet, go to your phone’s Settings and select Samsung account, which is prominently displayed first.
While it is possible to sign in using a Google account, doing so restricts your ability to sign out from Samsung apps without a password. Therefore, it’s advisable to create a dedicated password specifically for Samsung.
During the account creation process, be sure to verify your email address using a code sent to you. Additionally, register your phone by entering a valid phone number. Use the number of the Samsung device you wish to track, then proceed with the next steps on that device.
2. Download the Samsung Find App
After successfully logging into your Samsung account, navigate to Settings > Samsung account > Security and Privacy > Account recovery methods. This prompts you to log in again for added security, preventing unauthorized access.
Make sure to set your recovery email, phone number, and security question for added protection.
You have two options for obtaining the Samsung Find app: either download it from the Galaxy Store, where it connects automatically to your Samsung account, or from the Play Store, though the latter may be a step behind in updates.
Galaxy Store Installation
Access the Galaxy Store on your Samsung device. If you have previously uninstalled the app, you will need to reinstall it from a reputable third-party app store.
Simply search for Samsung Find within the Galaxy Store and install the app. Ensure to finish any pending updates within the store. If prior verifications aren’t completed, you may encounter the error message: Your phone hasn’t finished registering to your Samsung account yet. Try again later.
While Google’s Find My Device can also be used with Samsung devices, specifically tailored features within Samsung Find generally provide a better experience due to the unique operating system integrations.
Play Store Installation
You can download the Samsung Find app from the Play Store, which serves the same function as the Galaxy Store version, but note that the Galaxy Store typically receives updates first. After installation, remember to log in and connect it to your Samsung account.
3. Register Your Device
Once you open the Samsung Find app, ensure that you sign in if prompted. The app should automatically link to your phone when the necessary permissions are granted, which include:
- Location: Allow access all the time for accurate device tracking. Enable precise location for improved accuracy.
- Contacts: Allow access to contacts for ease of recovery communication.
- Notifications: This feature alerts you if your device’s location is tracked; you can opt to limit alerts but still receive visual notifications.
If your device does not register automatically, tap Devices and press the + button to add a new device.
After registering your device, go to the three-dot menu and select Settings > Allow devices to be found. Turn on the Offline finding feature, which allows your phone to be located even when not connected to the Internet.
For improved navigation, go to Settings, select Navigation app, and opt for Google Maps, or choose another app you have installed that is compatible with Samsung Find.
For enhanced security, tap on Settings > Your location sharing device to share your location with trusted family members on the Samsung Find network. For added privacy, utilize Settings > Encrypt offline location to restrict access to your location with a PIN.
4. Accessing Another Device
To track your registered phone using another device, visit the Samsung Find website and log in to access the dashboard. You’ll need to provide your username, password, and potentially the PIN used at registration.
This can be done from a personal computer, mobile browser, or even a Samsung Galaxy smart home device within the SmartThings network. Tracking will continue even if you log out from the secondary device.
5. Locating Your Samsung Phone
Once logged in, you will see all devices you can track. To view your phone’s model and IMEI number, select My device > Device information on the dashboard. Don’t forget to enable Location information in the Settings area.
On the main page, click Track Location to bring up a Track my phone pop-up window. Hit Start, and the location will update every 15 minutes on your tracking device.
To halt the tracking, press Stop – this can only be done from the secondary device. Even though your phone will alert you every 15 minutes, you can increase this interval to every two hours for less frequent notifications.
The SmartThings Find dashboard also allows you to remotely lock your phone. Click on Lost Mode and follow the prompts to create a 4-8 digit PIN. After creating a PIN, select Lock to secure your phone. Remember, losing this PIN means you cannot unlock your device. You also have the option to add an emergency contact number or message to aid in the return of your phone if found.
Another useful feature of Samsung SmartThings Find is the ability to ring your phone directly from the dashboard. Click Ring, then select Start to have your device ring at maximum volume for one minute, even if it is set to vibrate or mute. During this time, others will be alerted with: “SmartThings Find is attempting to locate this phone.”
If the battery is running low before you find it, tap on Extend battery life to conserve power.
Should you decide that the best course of action is to protect your data, you can remotely erase your Samsung phone’s data by selecting Erase data. Keep in mind that this will remove everything, including your Samsung Wallet, so only choose this option when absolutely necessary.
If you’re looking to recover a device that isn’t a Samsung, options such as Apple’s Find My service for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, or Microsoft’s tools for Windows devices, are also available.
Related Articles:
Getting Started with Google Colab: Write and Run Python Code Directly in Your Browser
0:30
Tips for Retaining 98% Battery Health on Your iPhone 16 Pro Max After One Year of Use
17:47
Google DeepMind Launches Gemini Robotics 1.5 and ER 1.5 for Enhanced Robot Reasoning, Planning, and Learning Across Multiple Tasks
17:37
Leave a Reply