Use Samsung Find Mobile to locate your tablet in real time
Samsung Find Mobile is the fastest way to find a Samsung tablet you've misplaced. If you set it up before your tablet went missing, you can sign into the service from any web browser or another device and see your tablet's location on a map. The service also lets you ring your tablet at full volume, lock it remotely, or erase it if you believe it's been stolen.
To use Find Mobile, go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in with your Samsung account. Your tablet must be powered on and connected to the internet for the location to appear. If your tablet is offline, the service shows you its last known location. You can also access Find Mobile through the Samsung Members app on another Samsung device.
Set up Find Mobile now, before you need it. Open Settings on your tablet, go to Accounts and Backup, select Samsung Account, then tap Find Mobile and turn it on. You'll need to create or sign into a Samsung account if you haven't already.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Find Mobile shows your tablet's location on a map if it's powered on and connected to the internet, and works from findmobile.samsung.com on any browser.
- Google Find My Mobile works for any Android tablet and shows location even if the tablet is offline, using its last known position.
- If your tablet is offline or the location services are disabled, check with people who were near you when you last had it, or retrace your steps to places you visit regularly.
- Report a stolen tablet to your local police department and your mobile carrier if you have a cellular plan, as they may be able to block the device from networks.
- If you never set up a tracking service before the tablet went missing, contact Samsung support to discuss what information they may have on file.
Use Google Find My Mobile if Samsung Find Mobile isn't set up
If you didn't set up Samsung Find Mobile before your tablet went missing, Google Find My Mobile may still work. This service is built into Android and works on any Android tablet, including Samsung models. Go to findmymobile.google.com, sign in with the Google account linked to your tablet, and you'll see its location on a map.
Google Find My Mobile can locate your tablet even if it's offline, showing you the last place it connected to the internet. You can also ring it, lock it, or erase it from this page. The service requires that your Google account was set up on the tablet before it went missing.
If you're not sure which Google account is on your tablet, think about which email address you used when you first set it up. You may need to try more than one account to find the right one.
Check places you visit regularly if location services are off
If your tablet's location services were turned off, or if you can't access either Find Mobile service, start by retracing your steps. Think about where you were when you last remember having your tablet — your home, workplace, car, or a store you visited. Call those places and ask if anyone has turned in a Samsung tablet.
Check your own spaces first: under couch cushions, in a bag you don't use often, on a shelf in a closet, or in a car you don't drive every day. Tablets are straightforward to set down and forget, especially if you use them at home.
Ask people who were with you recently — family members, coworkers, or friends — whether they remember seeing your tablet or whether it might have been left at their place. Sometimes a tablet is borrowed and set aside without being returned right away.
Report a stolen tablet to police and your carrier
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 and IMEI number if it has cellular service. You can find the serial number in Settings under About Tablet. Write down the police report number for your records.
If your tablet has a cellular plan through a mobile carrier, contact them and report it stolen. They can block the device from their network, which makes it much less useful to a thief. Provide them with the tablet's phone number and IMEI if you have it.
Keep your police report number and any documentation from your carrier. If your tablet turns up later, you'll need these to prove ownership.
Contact Samsung support with your tablet's information
If you've tried Find Mobile and Google Find My Mobile without success, and you've checked the places you visit regularly, contact Samsung support. They may have information about your tablet on file, including the serial number and purchase date. This information can help if you need to file an insurance claim or prove ownership.
To reach Samsung support, visit samsung.com/us/support, select Tablets, and choose your model. You can chat with a representative, call their phone line, or submit a question online. Have your tablet's serial number ready if you have it, or be ready to describe the tablet's color, size, and any distinctive features.
Use your tablet's backup to recover your data
If you've lost your tablet but had it set to back up to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, your photos, documents, and app data may still be safe. Sign into your Google account at myaccount.google.com and go to Data and Privacy to see what's backed up. For Samsung Cloud, sign into your Samsung account at account.samsung.com.
If you get a new Samsung tablet, you can restore your backed-up data during setup by signing into the same account. This won't help you find your original tablet, but it means you won't lose your information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my tablet if it's turned off?
Samsung Find Mobile and Google Find My Mobile both require the tablet to be powered on and connected to the internet to show a live location. If your tablet is off, these services show only the last place it connected. Some newer Samsung tablets have a feature that keeps location services running even when the device appears to be off, but this depends on your model and settings.
What if I don't remember my Samsung account password?
Go to account.samsung.com and click "Forgot your password?" You'll be asked to verify your identity using your email address or phone number. Follow the steps to reset your password, then sign into Find Mobile. This process usually takes a few minutes.
Can the police track my tablet if I report it stolen?
Police can file a report and may contact your carrier to block the device from networks, but they typically don't actively track tablets unless the theft is part of a larger investigation. Your best tools are Find Mobile and Find My Mobile. If your tablet is found, police can use the report number to return it to you.
Will Find Mobile work if someone else is using my tablet?
Yes. As long as the tablet is powered on and connected to the internet, Find Mobile will show its location regardless of who is using it. You can also lock or erase it remotely, which will prevent anyone from accessing your data even if they have the tablet in their hands.
What should I do if I find my tablet after reporting it stolen?
Contact the police department and your carrier to let them know the tablet has been found. Ask them to update or close the report. If your carrier blocked the device, they can unblock it so you can use it again. Check that your data is still intact and consider changing your passwords if the tablet was missing for a long time.