Google helps users find their lost Android phones

Android phone owners may not realize it, but finding their lost phone just got easier.

Google said last week that its new app lets Android users find their misplaced phones by typing “find my phone” into a Google search from any computer.

Sounds too easy, right? Good. That’s how Google wants it.

You’ll need to follow a few easy steps to get everything working.

First, you’ll need to have the latest version of Google’s app on your Android phone (bit.ly/1909S2n).

Then if you want to locate the phone (or tablet), you can do so from any Web browser as long as you’re logged into the same Google account on the computer.

You type “find my phone” into the Google browser, and you’ll see a map that will show you approximately where your phone is.

That’s great if you’re at work and you think you left your phone at home. The location should be close enough to point to your house (usually within 100 feet) but not enough to show you which room.

If you click the icon for the phone, you’ll be able to make the ringer sound at full volume for up to five minutes.

What if your phone is stolen?

You can use this feature to figure out where it is, but more important, you want to be able to protect your data.

To lock and wipe your phone, you’ll need to use Android Device Manager.

In your phone’s Google Settings app, there is an entry for Android Device Manager. The locator feature should be enabled, but you’ll have to click a box to allow for resetting the device remotely.

Selecting this allows you to remotely wipe the device if you ever find the need.

Once it’s configured, you can access the device from any Web browser by going to google.com/android/devicemanager (again, you’ll need to be logged into the same Google account used on the phone).

From there you can see the phone’s location, ring the phone, lock it or erase it.

Source: -dallasnews