"Find My Device" is a great tool for locating your Android phone if it ever gets lost or stolen. But there might be situations where you want to turn it off, like when you're selling your phone or simply want to enhance privacy. This guide will walk you through the steps to disable Find My Device on your Android.
What is Find My Device
Formerly known as "Android Device Manager," is a built-in Google service, that was launched in late 2013. It primarily uses data connections and GPS to locate lost Android devices. Unlike Apple's service, it does not create a crowdsourced network but instead relies directly on the lost device's ability to connect to the internet.
It allows you to track your device’s location, play a sound, lock it, or even wipe the data remotely. This service can be a lifesaver in emergencies, but if you don't need it anymore, it’s easy to turn off.
Related read: Does Airtags Work With Android
Find My Device Features
Securely Locate Your Devices:
Use the Find My Device app to pinpoint your devices on a map, ensuring you always know where they are, including your wallet if equipped with a tracker tag.
Play Sounds to Locate:
Can't see your device nearby? Make it ring—even if it's on silent—to find it faster, perfect for locating devices hidden under cushions or in a noisy environment.
Erase Sensitive Information:
Remotely wipe your device to protect your personal data from unauthorized access in case it's lost or stolen.
Factory Reset:
Prepare your device for a fresh start before selling or recycling, ensuring all personal data is irreversibly removed.
Synchronize with Wear OS:
Find your phone through your smartwatch: Misplaced your phone? Use your Wear OS watch to make your phone ring or show its last known location on a map.
Retrieve Essential Information:
Easily access your Android device’s IMEI number through settings for identification purposes or in the event of theft.
Manage and Locate Accessories:
Label your wallet or other accessories as lost in the device manager, enabling notifications if their location is identified.
How to Turn Off Find My Device on your Android
Turning off Find My Device is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open Settings: Start by heading to your phone's Settings app.
- Go to Security: Scroll down and tap on "Security" (it might also be listed as "Biometrics & Security" on some devices).
- Find Find My Device: Under the Security section, look for the “Find My Device” option and tap on it.
- Toggle Off: You’ll see a switch next to "Find My Device." Simply turn it off, and that’s it!
- Now, Find My Device is disabled, and your Android will no longer be trackable through this feature. Just remember, if you lose your device, you won't be able to use Find My Device to recover it.
How to Turn On Find My Device on your Google Pixel
Google Pixel is a brand of consumer electronic devices developed by Google that can run either Chrome OS or Android operating systems. The Pixel series includes laptops, tablets, and smartphones, with smartphones being the most prominent products in the series.
- Navigate to your phone's settings menu.
- Scroll to and select 'Security'.
- Tap on 'Find My Device' and toggle it to the 'On' position to activate the service.
- Go back to the main settings menu, select 'Location', and ensure it's turned on for accurate device tracking.
How to Turn On Find My Device on your Samsung Phone
Samsung, being a leading manufacturer of Android devices, incorporates this feature to help users locate their lost or stolen devices, remotely lock them, or erase data if necessary.
- Start by opening your phone settings.
- Find and select the 'Biometrics & Security' option.
- Look for 'Find My Device' within the menu and switch it on.
- To improve location tracking, go to 'Location' under settings, tap on 'Location Services', then 'Google Location Accuracy' and make sure it is enabled.
How to Find Your Phone Using Find My Device
To locate your Android phone using Google's Find My Device, follow these steps:
Your device should be turned on, signed in to a Google account, connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi, visible on Google Play, and have both location services and Find My Device activated.
Use another device or computer to access the Find My Device interface through the website or app.
Sign in with the Google account linked to your lost phone.
The service will display the phone's last known location on a map. You can refresh the location to get real-time tracking if the phone is moving.
If the phone is nearby but not visible, you can make it ring for up to 5 minutes, even if set to silent, to help locate it.
If your Android phone is lost or potentially stolen, you can remotely lock it using Find My Device.
Select the device you need to lock from the list of devices associated with your Google account.
Select the 'Secure Device' option. You can set or change the lock screen PIN, pattern, or password. Additionally, you can display a message or phone number on the lock screen to help someone return your phone if found.
What is Different With Apple AirTags
The methods of locating a phone using Google's Find My Device and finding lost items using Apple AirTags are very different in terms of technology, purpose, and application:
Technology
Find My Device uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks to provide the location of an Android device. This system relies on the device having a power source and being connected to the internet.
AirTags uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices in the Find My network. AirTags themselves do not connect to the internet or GPS but rely on the device network to transmit their location back to the owner.
Purpose
Find My Device is primarily used to locate, ring, or wipe lost or stolen smartphones. It is directly integrated into the device's operating system (Android) and requires the device to be turned on and logged into a Google account.
AirTags are designed to help find everyday items such as keys, wallets, or luggage. It is not built into the item, but a separate small device attached to the item you need to track.
Applications
Find My Device offers features such as playing a sound, locking the device, or remotely wiping data to prevent unauthorized access.
AirTags allow users to play a sound to locate tagged items when the tagged item is within Bluetooth range. For items that are out of range, it displays the last known location on a map via the Find My app.
These differences reflect the different goals and use cases each technology aims to address: one is protecting and recovering mobile devices with personal data, and the other is tracking non-electronic personal items through a crowdsourced device network.
