My phone was just stolen an hour or so ago. Are there any options for tracking?

Question

I realize this is a long shot, but my phone was lost or stolen a few hours ago.

At the time it was stolen, I didn't have any specific applications installed to track it or wipe the data. So... my bad. I'm hoping the fact that I have a pattern lock will at least prevent anyone from accessing my data.

My question is, do I have any options for tracking or data wipe after the fact? (I'm more interested in tracking.)

Note: I have read similar questions, but unless I'm mistaken, they all address the question in terms of preparation before losing the phone. I'm asking about fallback options after losing the phone.

See also Is there any way to erase personal information from my phone that has already been stolen? which covers phone tracking as well as wiping — GAThrawn, Jan 23 '12 at 14:48
I strongly recommend you change your Google account password. Like, now. — offby1, Jan 24 '12 at 00:05
it's not just changing account passwords... you have to explicitly un-associate the device from certain accounts. Dropbox is one such, as is twitter — geocoin, Jan 25 '12 at 16:58
If you have changed your password before remotely installing Plan B, I doubt that, Plan B can get installed remotely, because of authentication failure. — IsmailS, Jan 27 '12 at 04:42
@iSid: Good point to note, though in this case I did install and attempt to execute Plan B before changing my Google password. — Questioner, Jan 27 '12 at 05:26

score 33 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 23 '12 at 14:48

33

You can install Plan B remotely to your phone via the Market's web interface. Plan B was made exactly for this, to get the location of your phone AFTER it has been stolen.

answered Jan 23 '12 at 14:48

Bryan Denny

21,906
20
78
98

Is there an alternative that works on a Galaxy Pad Galaxy Tab 10.1v GT-P7100? – rubo77 Jun 09 '13 at 13:01
Ah I see: Android Lost – rubo77 Jun 09 '13 at 13:37
3

Unfortunately Plan B only works with 2.0 - 2.3 versions of Android. – Himanshu Jan 10 '14 at 05:28

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 03 '12 at 12:44

5

Android Lost is another app that you can install after your phone has been stolen.

Quote from the link:

No pre installation required
You didn't install AndroidLost on your phone? No problem! You can push the AndroidLost app to your phone from google market and initiate the connection to googles servers by sending an SMS with the message "androidlost register" to your phone.

answered Nov 03 '12 at 12:44

Christian Specht

383
1
6
14

As of 2014 and possibly some version of Android I don't think that is possible now because of the need to send an SMS or register the phone by starting the application (which the person in possession of the phone would need to do) - https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/androidlost/Vo5_F0wF_do/0CUPZ5o2nuYJ – Crowie Sep 11 '14 at 10:34

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 02 '15 at 21:00

3

I'm surprised that no-one has suggested going to the play store / device manager and using the built-in tools for locking and erasing the device in question. Go here: https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?hl=en&u=0

answered Mar 02 '15 at 21:00

Paul Gregoire

410
5
9

score 3 · Answer 4 · edited Nov 03 '12 at 09:49

3

Same situation here. However if you changed your account's password before installing Plan B and your phone was off, you still have a chance to get that app installed and trace it, at least it worked for me after changing it.

edited Nov 03 '12 at 09:49

ce4

14,446
10
60
106

answered Nov 02 '12 at 19:02

Carlos Hernandez

31
1

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 11 '13 at 13:21

2

Whoever stole it probably turned it off. You should probably call your carrier if you know the IMEI.

answered Oct 11 '13 at 13:21

underscorenorm

154
3

My phone was just stolen an hour or so ago. Are there any options for tracking?

5 Answers5

Linked

Related