If you lose an Android device or Wear OS watch, you can find, secure, or erase it remotely. You can also help a friend find, secure, or erase their lost device with the Find My Device app.
If you've added a Google Account to your device, Find My Device is automatically turned on. By default, your device is set to the "With network in high-traffic areas only" setting so that it stores encrypted recent locations with Google and helps find offline devices as part of a crowdsourced network of Android devices. To get help from the network finding your items on your Android device, set a PIN, pattern, or password. Your device’s most recent location is available to the first account activated on the device.
Tip: To find, secure, or erase your Wear OS device, connect it to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Be ready to find a lost Android device.
To secure or erase an Android device, make sure the device:
- Has power
- Is connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi
- Is signed in to a Google Account
- Has Find My Device turned on
- Is visible on Google Play
Find, secure, or erase a device remotely
Important: If you find your device after you erase it, to use your device again, you need your Google Account password. Learn about device protection.
Get more help
If you can’t find your lost or stolen device, learn more about how to secure your Google Account.