How to use Android Device Manager (Find My Device)

The hassle of losing your smartphone is beyond imaginable! It's like starting all over again, right? From new contacts to new photos to new apps. But have you ever imagined how uplifting it is to find your device? In this article we will show you how!

It's no secret that as some of the latest Android phones are getting expensive due to advanced premium features, users are still concerned about keeping their devices safe. And we will all agree when I say that:

Nobody wants to pay a high price for a premium Android phone that wouldn't keep your device and files safe. But that is not all …

Another problem for Android users who keep their data safe. And based on the data, we're not talking about your regular videos or music files here. It includes personal information, bank accounts, credit card information, etc.

• How to protect the privacy of your Android phone

As the latest Android phones compete with PCs, some companies and organizations choose to store confidential data on Android devices. The reason is that Android devices are less susceptible to viruses.

Regardless, you could get in trouble if your confidential data gets into the wrong hands. Scary right ?!

In this guide, we'll show you how to use Google's Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager) with your device so your phone and data are always safe.

Why use Google Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager)?

You may have a general idea about Google Find My Device, but here are the reasons why you should use this brilliant service:

• Easily locate your stolen Android device. This is one of the best ways to spot people who have stolen your Android phone, in a market full of great phone monitoring options.
• Find your lost Android device. Imagine forgetting where you last put your phone while it was in silent mode. Find My Device can help you find your phone in minutes.
• Change the phone lock PIN. This is the ideal way to make sure your data is safe when your phone falls into the wrong hands.
• Delete all. This feature allows you to wipe all data on your phone to prevent it from being misused. It is a great alternative to resetting your phone.

Method 1: Find My Device's Website (Android Device Manager)

This is probably the most used method on how to use Find My Device. Even though the official Find My Device app is available on the Google Play Store, the webpage has been around for a long time and this is the ideal way to locate your phone if you don't have an alternative Android device.

Step 1: Go to the Find My Device webpage

Go to your PC web browser and open the Android Device Manager web page. This page will be the platform to find your phone and use other features of the service. You can also use this webpage on another device, such as another phone or tablet.

Step 2: Log into your Google account

Log in with your Google account details and click the Accept button in the welcome pop-up. Make sure you sign in with the Google account you use on your Android device.

Step 3: Explore your options

You should now see your device name on the Find My Device website that you previously opened on your PC. If you have multiple active devices, they will be displayed separately. You will be able to see the exact location of your device along with the last used time and last location. To change the device name, click the Pen button in the upper right corner next to the device name.

Step 4: Ring the phone

If you want your device to ring at full volume, select the Ringtone option. This is a great way to locate your device if you can't find it inside your home. Click the Play Sound button on the left side of the screen.

Step 5: Lock your phone

To lock your phone with a new password, select the Protected device option. Click the Device Protected button to activate the password and lock the phone. Your device will now be locked and others will not be able to access your data.

Step 6: Erase all data on the device

To delete everything from your phone, select the Erase device option. All your data will now be deleted and others will not be able to view anything on your device. Make sure you back up your information beforehand.

If you don't know how to backup your phone, we suggest you read our article Android Backup: Everything You Need to Know.

Method 2: Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager)

The app basically uses the exact same webpage layout and you can use it on an alternative Android device when you locate your Android phone. Remember that this app must be used on the alternative Android device that you will use to locate the original Android device.

You can download the app with the Google Play button below if you haven't already installed it.

Step 1: Log into your Google account

Open the app, log in with your Google account details and tap Accept in the welcome pop-up message.

Step 2: Ring the device

To make your device ring, tap the Play sound option.

Step 3: protect your device

To lock your device, select the Protected device option, enter the password you want to set and tap the Protected device button.

Step 4: Erase the device

Select the Erase option to delete all your data and tap the Erase button in the Erase Device popup.

Find My Device - Never lose your phone again!

From conversations with friends to confidential business information, Android phones serve as personal companions for most of us and I'm sure you can't imagine losing your phone or data on it.

However, like other things in life, you can easily lose your phone and the precious data inside it. We can't really do much to keep our phone safe at all times, but what we can do is teach you how to use Find My Device. 

This way, you will be able to locate your phone when you lose it. If you've seen how Apple's Find My iPhone service works, I'm sure you'd like something similar for your Android device.

Google Find My Device is the ideal option, and even if you've never lost your phone, you should register your device just in case. The service doesn't just locate your phone, it also lets you ring, lock it, and erase everything in a couple of seconds. The official Google Find My Device website is perfect if you want to locate your phone via PC. 

If you have another Android device, you should try using the Google Find My Device app. Make sure you keep your device backed up so that you don't lose your important data when using the Erase option in Find My Device.