Q&A for How to Find Your Stolen Phone

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How can I find my lost phone with IMEI number?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can use the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) to find a lost phone. However, you’ll need to know the IMEI (this is on the phone but also on its packaging, so if you still have the packaging but not the phone, you should be able to find the IMEI). Or, you can use Android Device Manager for Android phones or iTunes for Apple phones, to find the IMEI. Then, contact the police and your phone network with both your phone number, account ownership proof and the IMEI information and they’ll be able to track the phone if they're so inclined. There are also apps that allow you to track the IMEI too but you’ll obviously need a device other than your lost phone to operate any such app.

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Question

Can I track the location of a cell phone?

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You can track your smartphone by enabling its tracking app. For iPhone, use the “Find My Phone” app and for Android, use the “Android Device Manager” app. Details on using these apps for tracking your phone are provided in Method 3 above.

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Can the police track down a stolen phone?

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Yes, the police can track a stolen phone using either your phone number or the phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Whether or not the police prioritize looking for your stolen phone is another matter.

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Question

Can you locate a phone that is off?

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If a phone is turned off, it cannot be tracked until someone turns it on again. You can find out where it was turned off last, which shows where the phone was when it last communicated with the network, but this may or may not be where the phone is still. If you have an app that is able to turn the phone on remotely, this will allow you to again see where the phone is. If you think the phone has been stolen, take preventive action, such as alerting your provider to place a hold on or cancel the account associated with the phone.

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How do I find my stolen phone if I didn't have the GPS turned on?

Community Answer

You should simply report this to the police and your service provider. Without a GPS turned on, there is not much you can do. Your service provider should be able to track down the phone when it is making calls and sending texts. However, if you do find out where it is, DO NOT go there alone. Call the police and tell them where it is.

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Question

How can I find my phone if it was switched off?

Community Answer

Inform the police and your service provider. There is not much you can do if it's turned off, so the best thing you can do is try to shut down the plan connected to your phone and erase all data from it.

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Question

How can I find my Galaxy J1 Ace?

Raif

Community Answer

See if your service provider has a "family locator" service, or you can use another app such as CM Security Find Phone.

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Question

My cousin's phone was stolen. How can we get it back?

Community Answer

Use the Find My iPhone app. It can be accessed from any Apple device and will help locate the phone. If that doesn't work contact your service provider.

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How do I locate a phone if the battery is dead?

Community Answer

In that case, you can use the "Find my Phone" features in the article as these can usually be accessed through web browsers. You can access those features with either a laptop or desktop computer.

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Question

How can I calm my parents down when I lost my phone that they paid for?

Community Answer

Apologize profusely, offer to cover the cost of the phone (or its replacement), and do your best to be more careful with your things from now on. They will still be angry with you, but they'll probably be less angry if you seem genuinely sorry and willing to help fix it.

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Question

How do I block calls on my phone?

Community Answer

Set the numbers you don't want calls from to blacklist. If you don't have a blacklist option, try some apps from the Google Play store.

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Question

Is it possible to find my a stolen phone when the thief has changed the IMEI number?

Intake SleepCircle

Community Answer

IMEI cannot be changed. It's the serial number of your phone. You need to get it when you still have your phone. Dial *#06# to know your IMEI number.

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Question

How do I find my stolen phone if it doesn't have an internet connection?

Community Answer

If you have a SIM card in it, there is still a chance that you can track it. Ask your service provider.

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Question

How do I lock my phone that was stolen?

Community Answer

On iOS, there is a Find My iPhone through iCloud. On Android, go to android.com/find, log in to your Google Account. Then, click "lost device" on the top of the screen.

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Question

How do I find my iPhone if the person who stole it turned it off?

Community Answer

You can’t use apps. You can ask for a GPS search at the police, or if you have an app or website that turns your phone on, you can use it, then use any searching app or website.

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Question

How do I track my stolen phone without going to the police?

Community Answer

You can use apps to track your phone; for example, Lookout. You can use the one that comes with your phone (Apple: Find My iPhone; Android: Android Device Manager). You can also try calling your carrier.

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Question

What can I do to track my stolen cell phone with my IMEI number?

Community Answer

Just inform the police about the situation and tell them your IMEI number. They should be able to track your phone.

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Question

How do I locate my stolen Samsung phone?

Community Answer

There are several apps that are available to help with this. You can also contact your cell phone provider directly and ask them for assistance, as they may be able to trace the phone.

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Question

How do I turn off my Android phone remotely?

Community Answer

Use Google Find My Device online. It will also tell you where your phone is and give you the option to make the device make a noise.

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