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 screen is off or locked. On an iPad, you use Find My iPad through iCloud. On an Android tablet, you use Find My Mobile (Samsung), Google Find My Device (most others), or the manufacturer's own app if you have a different brand.
These tools work only if you set them up before the tablet goes missing — they require location services to be turned on and your account to be linked to the device. If you never set this up, you cannot use it now. But if you did, you can log in from any web browser or another device and see where your tablet is on a map.
The location is usually accurate to within a few hundred feet, which is often enough to tell you whether it is still in your home, at a place you visited recently, or somewhere else entirely. Some tools also let you make the tablet play a sound, lock it remotely, or erase it.
Key Takeaways
- Find My iPad (Apple) and Google Find My Device (Android) show your tablet's location on a map if location services were turned on before it went missing.
- Check your home first by retracing your steps — the couch, kitchen, bedroom, car, and the last place you remember using it.
- Call or text your tablet's number if it has cellular service, or ask someone to call it so you can hear it ring.
- If your tablet is truly gone and you cannot find it, contact your carrier (if it has a SIM card) and your bank to watch for fraudulent charges.
- File a police report if you believe it was stolen, and contact the manufacturer to report the serial number in case it is sold or activated elsewhere.
Retrace your steps at home and recent locations
Before you assume your tablet is lost outside, search your home thoroughly. Check the couch cushions, under beds, in kitchen drawers, on bathroom counters, and inside bags or backpacks you use regularly. Tablets slip between furniture and under blankets easily. Look in your car — under the seats, in the door pockets, and in the trunk.
Think about the last time you definitely had it. Was it in your hands, on a table, or in a bag? Retrace that moment and search that exact spot first. Then search outward from there. Many tablets are found within arm's reach of where they were last used.
If you remember visiting a specific place — a store, a friend's house, a restaurant, a library — call that location and ask if anyone turned in a tablet matching your description. Leave your phone number. Many businesses keep lost items for 30 days before discarding them.
Use your tablet's phone number or call feature
If your tablet has cellular service (a SIM card or eSIM), it has a phone number. Call that number from another phone. If the tablet is nearby and powered on, you will hear it ring. Even if the volume is low or it is in silent mode, the vibration might help you locate it.
If your tablet does not have cellular service but connects to Wi-Fi, you cannot call it directly. However, if you set up messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Messages, you can send a message to that account and see if the tablet receives it — that tells you it is powered on and connected to the internet.
Check your cloud account and recent device activity
Log into your Apple ID (for iPad) or Google Account (for Android) from a computer or another device. Both services show a list of all devices linked to your account, when they last connected, and their approximate location.
For iPad, go to iCloud.com, sign in, and click Find My. You will see a map with your iPad's last known location and whether it is currently online. For Android, go to Google.com/android/find, sign in, and you will see a similar map with your tablet and other Android devices.
If your tablet appears offline, it may be powered off, out of battery, or disconnected from the internet. The last location shown is where it was when it last connected. If that location is somewhere you do not recognize, your tablet may have been taken.
Report the loss to your carrier and financial institutions
If your tablet has a SIM card and cellular service, contact your mobile carrier when ready. Provide them with the device's serial number and IMEI number (found in Settings or on the original box). Ask them to flag the device so it cannot be activated on another account. They can also disable the SIM card to prevent unauthorized charges.
If your tablet is linked to a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet — contact your bank or card issuer. Let them know the device is missing and ask them to watch for unauthorized charges. You may want to remove the payment method from the tablet's account remotely if your location tool allows it.
Check your account settings to see what payment methods are saved. If you can access your tablet remotely through Find My or Find My Device, you can remove payment information before someone else accesses it.
File a police report if you believe it was stolen
If you believe your tablet was stolen rather than lost, file a report with your local police department. Bring the serial number, IMEI number, and any photos of the tablet. The police report creates an official record and may help if the tablet is recovered or sold.
Some police departments allow you to file online; others require you to visit in person or call. Ask whether they maintain a database of stolen electronics that pawn shops and repair shops can check.
Contact the manufacturer (Apple, Samsung, or whoever made your tablet) and report the serial number as stolen. Some manufacturers maintain a registry and can flag the device if someone tries to set up it or request service.
Prevent this from happening again
Once you find your tablet or accept that it is gone, set up location services and device tracking before you get a replacement. On iPad, turn on Location Services in Settings > Privacy > Location Services, and make sure Find My is turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My. On Android, turn on Location Services in Settings > Location, and make sure Find My Device is turned on in Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Security.
Create a strong password or PIN for your device so someone who finds it cannot easily access your accounts. Consider enabling two-factor authentication on your email and cloud accounts — that way, even if someone has your tablet, they cannot sign into your accounts from another device without a code sent to your phone.
Keep your tablet's serial number and IMEI number written down or photographed and stored somewhere safe, like a note in your email or a photo in cloud storage. You will need these numbers if you ever have to report the device as lost or stolen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my tablet if location services were never turned on?
No. Location services must be enabled before the tablet goes missing. If you never turned it on, the built-in tracking tools cannot locate the device. Your only option is to retrace your steps, call the places you visited, or contact your carrier if the tablet has a SIM card.
What is the difference between Find My iPad and Find My Device?
Find My iPad is Apple's service for locating iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Find My Device is Google's service for Android phones and tablets. Both show location on a map, let you play a sound, and let you lock or erase the device remotely. You access them through your Apple ID or Google Account.
If I find my tablet, how do I make sure it was not hacked?
Change your passwords for email, banking, and other important accounts from a different device. Check your account activity and payment history for anything you do not recognize. If you see unauthorized charges or account changes, contact your bank and the affected services when ready. Consider having a technician inspect the tablet if you are concerned about malware.
Can I erase my tablet remotely if I cannot find it?
Yes. Both Find My iPad and Find My Device let you erase the tablet remotely, which removes all your personal data. Do this only if you are certain the tablet is gone and you do not plan to search for it, because erasing it also makes it impossible to locate afterward.
What should I do if my tablet was stolen and I have no way to track it?
File a police report, contact your carrier to disable the SIM card, alert your bank about potential fraud, and contact the manufacturer to report the serial number. Change your passwords from another device. There is no way to recover a stolen tablet without tracking enabled, but these steps protect your accounts and create an official record.