Start with the built-in location tools on your device

Most tablets have a location service built in that you can use to find them, even if the tablet is locked or the screen is off. On an iPad, you use Find My iPad through iCloud. On an Android tablet, you use Find My Mobile (Samsung), Find My Device (Google), or the manufacturer's equivalent app.

To use these tools, you need to have set them up before the tablet went missing — you cannot turn them on after the fact. If you did set one up, you can log into the service from any web browser or another device and see your tablet's location on a map, make it play a sound, lock it remotely, or erase it.

Go to iCloud.com (iPad) or google.com/android/find (Android) right now and log in with the account linked to your tablet. If your tablet shows up on the map, you have a location to start searching. If it does not appear, the tablet is either powered off, out of range, or the location service was never turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud Find My iPad and Google Find My Device show your tablet's location on a map if you set them up before it went missing.
  • Check your home first — most lost tablets are found within a few feet of where they were last used, often under cushions, in bags, or on shelves.
  • Contact your wireless carrier or the place where you last used the tablet, because staff may have turned it in to lost and found.
  • If your tablet has a SIM card and is on a cellular plan, your carrier can sometimes ping the device to narrow down its location.
  • As a last resort, you can remotely lock or erase your tablet to protect your data if you believe it is lost for good.

Search your home and the places you visit regularly

Before you assume the tablet is gone, search the places where you spend the most time. Check under couch cushions, between bed sheets, in car cup holders, inside bags you use often, and on shelves where you set things down without thinking. Tablets are straightforward to misplace because they are light and fit into many spaces.

Retrace your steps from the last time you remember using it. Did you take it to a coffee shop, a doctor's office, a library, or a friend's house? Call those places and ask if anyone turned in a tablet. Many businesses keep lost items for 30 to 90 days before disposing of them, so the sooner you call, the better.

Contact your wireless carrier if your tablet has cellular service

If your tablet is on a cellular plan (not just Wi-Fi), your carrier has tools to help. Call the customer service number on your bill and tell them your tablet is lost. Some carriers can ping the device to narrow down which cell tower it last connected to, which gives you a general area to search.

Your carrier can also suspend the line so no one can rack up charges on your account while the tablet is missing. This is different from erasing the tablet — it just stops the service from working. If you find the tablet later, you can reactivate the line.

Use your tablet's remote lock and erase features

If you have searched everywhere and believe the tablet is truly lost, use the location service to lock or erase it remotely. This protects your personal information — photos, emails, banking apps, passwords — from anyone who might find it.

On iPad, go to Find My iPad in iCloud and select your device, then choose Lock to set a new passcode or Erase iPad to wipe all data. On Android, go to Find My Device and select your tablet, then choose find Device to lock it or Erase Device to delete everything. Once you erase a tablet, you cannot locate it anymore, so only do this if you have given up the search.

File a report with local police if you suspect theft

If you believe your tablet was stolen rather than lost, file a report with your local police department. You will need the tablet's serial number (found on the original box or in your device settings under About) and a description of the device. The police report creates a record and may help if the tablet shows up at a pawn shop or is sold online.

Some police departments allow you to file a report online; others require you to come in person. Check your local police website for the process in your area.

Report the loss to your insurance company or retailer

If you bought the tablet with a credit card that offers purchase protection or device insurance, contact the card issuer or insurance company to report the loss. Some policies cover lost or stolen tablets, though you will usually need the police report and proof of purchase.

If you bought the tablet from a retailer like Best Buy or Apple, call the store where you made the purchase. Some retailers have insurance programs that cover loss or damage, and they may be able to help you file a claim.

Prevent future loss by setting up location services now

Once you find your tablet or replace it, turn on the location service right away so you have a way to find it next time. On iPad, go to Settings > iCloud and turn on Find My iPad. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Security and turn on Find My Device.

You can also use a Bluetooth tracker like an AirTag (Apple) or a Tile (works with most devices) attached to your tablet case. These devices let you find your tablet by pressing a button on your phone, or by using your phone to make the tracker beep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my tablet if it is turned off?

On newer iPhones and iPads, Find My works even when the device is powered off, because the tablet can still send location signals. On Android, most devices cannot be located once they are turned off, so the last known location is all you will see.

What if I never set up Find My or Find My Device before it went missing?

You cannot turn on location services remotely. Your best options are to search your home and places you visit, call local businesses, contact your carrier if the tablet has cellular service, and file a police report if you suspect theft.

Can my carrier really ping my tablet to find it?

Carriers can sometimes narrow down the general area by checking which cell towers the device last connected to, but this gives you a radius of several blocks, not a precise address. It is most useful if your tablet is lost in a specific building or neighborhood where you were recently.

What information do I need to give the police if I file a theft report?

Bring the tablet's serial number (from the box or device settings), a description of the device (color, size, any damage), the date and location where it went missing, and proof of purchase if you have it. The police will create a report number that you can use for insurance claims.

Is it safe to erase my tablet remotely, or should I wait longer?

Erase it only if you have thoroughly searched and are confident it is gone. Once erased, you cannot locate it anymore. If there is any chance you will find it, wait — you can always erase it later if needed.