Start with the built-in location tools on your tablet

Most tablets have a built-in tracking feature that works even when the device is locked or powered off. On an iPad, this is called Find My. On Android tablets, it's called Find My Mobile (Samsung) or Find My Device (Google). These tools let you see your tablet's location on a map, make it ring loudly, lock it remotely, or erase it if you believe it's been stolen.

To use Find My on an iPad, go to iCloud.com on any computer or another Apple device, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Find My. Select your tablet from the list of devices. You'll see its location on a map. If the tablet is nearby but hidden under cushions or in another room, tap Play Sound to make it ring at full volume for two minutes.

For Android tablets, visit google.com/android/find on a computer, sign in with your Google account, and select your tablet. You'll see its last known location. If the tablet is offline, Google will show you where it was when it last connected to the internet. You can also lock it or erase it from this screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Find My (iPad) and Find My Device (Android) show your tablet's location on a map and work even when the device is locked.
  • If your tablet is nearby, use the sound feature to locate it; if it's far away or offline, note its last known location and contact local police.
  • Check your cloud storage, email, and messaging apps to see if anyone has accessed your accounts since the tablet went missing.
  • If you didn't set up location tracking before the tablet was lost, contact your carrier or check with places you visited recently.
  • Once you recover your tablet, change your passwords and review your account activity to confirm no one accessed your personal information.

What to do if location tracking wasn't turned on

If you didn't set up Find My or Find My Device before your tablet was lost, the built-in tools won't help you now. However, you still have other options. Check your email and cloud storage accounts—Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud—to see if anyone has accessed them from your tablet since it went missing. If you see activity from an unfamiliar location or time, your tablet may have been found by someone who powered it on.

Contact your tablet's carrier if you have a cellular plan attached to it. Some carriers can ping the device to show its last known location, even if location services are off. This information is usually available only to the account holder and may require you to file a report in person at a store.

Retrace your steps and call places you visited on the day you lost it—coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, gyms, or public transit. Many businesses keep lost and found items for 30 days. If you used your tablet at a specific location, staff may remember you or have security footage showing where you left it.

Checking your accounts for unauthorized access

Whether or not you find your tablet, check your email, social media, banking, and cloud storage accounts for signs of unauthorized access. Look for login notifications from unfamiliar locations or devices. Most email providers and social platforms show you a list of active sessions—on Gmail, this is under "Manage your Google Account" > "Security" > "Your devices." You can sign out of sessions you don't recognize.

If you see activity you didn't do, change your passwords when ready. Use a strong password—at least 12 characters, mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Change passwords on your most sensitive accounts first: email, banking, and any accounts linked to payment methods. After you change your password, sign out of all active sessions on those accounts.

Enable two-factor authentication on accounts that support it. This means anyone trying to log in will need a code from your phone or email, even if they have your password. Most banks, email providers, and social platforms offer this feature.

Filing a police report if the tablet was stolen

If you believe your tablet was stolen rather than lost, file a report with your local police department. You'll need the tablet's serial number, which is printed on the box it came in or on the device itself (usually on the back). You can also find it in Settings: on iPad, go to Settings > General > About and look for "Serial Number"; on Android, go to Settings > About tablet and look for "Serial number."

Provide the police with the tablet's model, color, serial number, and the date and location where it was last seen. Ask for a copy of the report—some carriers and insurance companies require this to process a claim. The police report also creates an official record if the tablet shows up at a pawn shop or is used to commit fraud.

Report the loss to your tablet's manufacturer as well. Apple and Samsung maintain databases of stolen devices and can flag yours so it cannot be activated on their networks if someone tries to set it up.

Checking your insurance and warranty options

If your tablet is not recovered, check whether you have insurance that covers loss or theft. Some homeowner's or renter's insurance policies cover personal electronics. Check your policy documents or call your insurance agent. You'll typically need to file a claim within a set number of days and provide the police report, proof of purchase, and the device's serial number.

If you purchased your tablet with a credit card, check whether the card offers purchase protection or device insurance. Some cards extend manufacturer warranties or cover accidental damage and theft for a set period after purchase. Call the card issuer to ask what coverage applies.

Manufacturer warranties do not cover loss or theft, but some carriers offer device protection plans that do. If your tablet has a cellular plan, contact the carrier to see what options are available. These plans usually cost a monthly fee but cover loss, theft, and damage.

Preventing loss in the future

Once you have a new tablet, turn on location tracking when ready. On iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Find My on. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security and make sure Find My Device is enabled. This takes less than a minute and makes recovery possible if your tablet is lost again.

Consider using a tablet case with a bright color or distinctive pattern—it makes your tablet easier to spot if left behind and less appealing to someone who finds it. Some people attach a small tile or AirTag to their tablet case; these devices use Bluetooth to help you locate items within a few hundred feet.

Back up your tablet regularly to cloud storage. On iPad, turn on iCloud backup in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy and turn on automatic backup. If your tablet is lost and not recovered, you can restore your data to a new device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my tablet if it's turned off?

Find My on iPad can show the last known location even when the device is off, as long as it was powered on at some point after you set up Find My. Android's Find My Device works the same way. However, if the tablet has been off for weeks, the location data becomes less useful.

What if someone changed the password on my tablet?

On iPad, you can still use Find My to locate, lock, or erase the device without knowing the password. On Android, if someone changed your Google password, you can recover your account at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Once you regain access to your Google account, you can use Find My Device to control the tablet.

Will the tablet's location show up if it's in airplane mode?

No. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including GPS and cellular. However, if someone turns airplane mode off to use the tablet, location tracking will work again, and you may see an updated location.

Can I track my tablet if I never set up an account on it?

No. Find My requires an Apple ID on iPad or a Google account on Android. If you never signed in, the built-in tracking tools won't work. This is why setting up an account during initial setup is important for future recovery.

What should I do if I find someone else's lost tablet?

Power it on and look for emergency contact information on the lock screen or in the Contacts app. If the tablet has cellular service, try calling the owner's number. You can also take it to the carrier's store if it has a SIM card, or to the tablet manufacturer's store. If you found it in a specific location, return it to that business's lost and found.