To locate a lost Android phone, use Google's Find My Device tool from another phone, tablet, or computer by signing in with the Google account on the lost device. Once signed in, you can see its location on a map, ring it, secure it, or erase it, provided the phone is turned on, signed in, connected to Wi‑Fi or mobile data, visible on Google Play, and has location services enabled.
How to locate a lost Android phone with Find Hub
Google's primary recovery tool, Find Hub (also called Find My Device in some regions), gives you immediate control over a missing phone. The documented actions are to ring, secure, or erase the device. For tracking a phone location, this is the fastest official method.
- On another Android phone or tablet, open the Find Hub app. If it is not installed, get it from Google Play.
- On a browser, go to the Find Hub page and sign in with the Google account on the lost phone.
- If your own device is lost, tap Continue as [your name] when that option appears.
- Select the lost device from the listed devices. If you have more than one phone, choose the correct one from the top of the screen.
- After the device receives a notification, the map shows the device location information.
- Choose an action: Ring, Secure device or Lock, or Erase.
Prerequisites for Find Hub to work
The phone must be visible on Google Play. If the lost phone has more than one user profile, you must sign in with a Google Account that is on the main profile. Offline finding can show a recent location for supported devices, and if the device is offline or powered off, Google may show the last known location.
Use Google Maps Timeline as a backup
If Find Hub is not working, Google Maps Timeline can help you retrace the phone's last known movements. This method only works if Location History was enabled on the lost phone before it went missing.
- Open the Google Maps app on another mobile device signed into the same Google Account.
- Tap the profile icon and select Your Timeline.
- Select a specific date to see recorded paths and locations.
- Review the places you visited on that day to identify where the phone might be.
Google's Location History help confirms that Timeline is a Google Account setting. If Location History is off, Timeline is not available for that account.
What to do if you can't recover your phone
If physical recovery is impossible, use Find Hub to remotely erase the device's data. Select the lost device and choose the Erase action. This removes all personal information to protect your accounts and files. After erasing, you will not be able to track the phone using Find Hub, so only use this step when you are certain recovery is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I locate my Android phone if it is turned off?
If the phone is powered off, Find Hub cannot show a live location. Google may display the last known location, and on supported devices, a more recent stored location from offline finding may be available.
What if I do not have another device to access Find Hub?
You can use any computer or borrow a friend's device. No app installation is required on a computer.
Will Find Hub work if my phone is on silent or do not disturb mode?
Yes. The Ring action plays sound at maximum volume for five minutes, even if the phone is in silent or do not disturb mode.
Can I use Apple's Find My app to locate an Android phone?
No. Apple's Find My app is designed to locate Apple devices. For Android, the documented Google path is Find My Device or Find Hub.
What should I do if I think my phone was stolen?
Use Find Hub to secure the device immediately. Do not attempt to retrieve it yourself if you feel unsafe. Report the theft to local authorities and provide them with any location information obtained from Find Hub or Google Maps Timeline.
