LostHour

It’s missing now / Android phone or tablet

Lost Android phone or tablet: the first hour

Do these in order. Start with the first one now.

Step 1 happens hereGoogle Find Hubgoogle.com/android/find

Stay safe. Don't go to get it yourself or confront anyone, even if the map shows exactly where it is. If you think it was stolen, give the location to the police and let them recover it. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.

  1. 0 min

    Look for it on a map and play a sound

    Sign in at google.com/android/find with the Google Account on the device. Google says Play sound rings for 5 minutes even on silent.

    Source: Google: Find, secure, or erase a lost Android device

  2. 5 min

    Mark it as lost

    Google says this locks the device with your PIN, pattern or password; add contact info and a message for the lock screen.

    Source: Google: Find, secure, or erase a lost Android device

  3. 15 min

    Call your carrier

    Ask the carrier to suspend the line so the SIM cannot be used for calls or your text codes.

  4. 25 min

    Change the passwords that matter

    Your Google Account first, then email, banking and shopping apps that stayed signed in.

  5. 40 min

    Report it if it was stolen

    Give the police the IMEI and serial number from your plan. If the map shows where it is, give that location to the police instead of going there yourself.

  6. 50 min

    Factory reset only as the last step

    Google says that after a factory reset the device is no longer available in Find Hub, so you cannot locate it afterwards.

    Source: Google: Find, secure, or erase a lost Android device

Minute marks are a suggested pace, not a rule. If you think someone is in danger, call 911 first.

Next time, have the numbers ready

A plan keeps each device’s serial, IMEI and carrier number with a playbook like this one, filled in.

Start a plan