Lost Your Android Phone? Find, Lock or Erase It Remotely

When a phone goes missing, the first ten minutes matter. Here is what to do — and the two-minute setup that makes it possible.

Set it up today

• Settings → Google → Find Hub (on older phones: Find My Device) → turn it on.
• Keep Location on and a screen lock (PIN, pattern or fingerprint) set.
• Know your Google account password — you will need it from another device.

When the phone is lost

1. On any browser, sign in to Google’s Find Hub (search “Google Find Hub”), or use the app on another phone.
2. Play sound — rings at full volume even on silent. Most “lost” phones are under a cushion.
3. See its location on the map, if it is online.
4. Secure device — locks it and shows a message with a contact number.
5. Factory reset only when you are sure it won’t come back: after a reset you can no longer locate it.

Money and SIM

• Call your mobile operator to block the SIM and get a replacement — this stops OTPs going to someone else.
• Call your bank to block UPI and cards linked to that number.
• Change your Google and email passwords from another device.

Stolen in India?

File a police complaint, then use the government’s CEIR service (Sanchar Saathi portal) to block the phone’s IMEI so it can’t be used on any Indian network. You can unblock it if it is recovered.