Google recently updated its ‘Find My Device’ app with a new feature that allows users to find their lost or stolen devices like Android powered phones, tablets, and headphones, even if they don’t have a SIM card or an active internet connection.
However, unlike Apple’s pre-installed ‘Find My’ app, users will have to install the ‘Find My Device’ app from the Play Store. Also, to find the lost phone, tablet or headphones offline, users will need to use another phone.
Here’s how to add your Android device to Google’s Find My Device network. (Express Photo)
How to add your device to Find My Device network
1. Open the Find My Device app and sign in to your Google account. You might get a screen asking if you want to add the device to the Find My Device network.
2. Press on the blue button at the bottom of the screen that says ‘Enter screen lock’. Then, you will need to enter the PIN of the device shown on the screen.
3. In case you don’t see the screen where you can add the device to the Find My Network, open the ‘Settings’ app on your device, scroll down, find and tap on ‘Google’.
4. On the page that appears, click on the option named ‘Find My Device’ and proceed to tap on ‘Find your offline devices’. The option is set to ‘Off’ by default, but you can change it as per your preferences.
If you are unable to understand what these toggles do, just press the down arrow button on the right to get a detailed description. Set it to ‘With the network in high-traffic areas only’ or ‘With network in all areas’.
Finding a lost phone is now easy. (Express Photo)
How to use Find My Device to find your Android device
1. Launch the Find My Device app on your phone and sign in using your Google account.
2. Now, tap on the device you want to find and you will see an option named ‘Find nearby’.
3. Doing so will open a new screen that will show you the proximity to your lost device. As you get closer, the ring will fill up with colour.
4. Also, in case you are unable to see the device even when you are close to it, press the ‘Play sound’ button at the bottom of the screen.
If the phone isn’t near you, users can also check the last known location using the Find My Device app.