Use Samsung Find Mobile to locate your tablet remotely
Samsung tablets come with Find Mobile, a built-in service that lets you see where your device is on a map, lock it, or erase it from another device. This works whether your tablet is lost nearby or taken across the country. You access it through a web browser on any computer or phone, not through an app.
To use Find Mobile, you need a Samsung account set up on your tablet before it goes missing. If you already have one, go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in with the same Samsung account username and password you use on the tablet. The service will show your tablet's location on a map if location services are turned on.
If your tablet's location is turned off, Find Mobile cannot pinpoint it on a map, but you can still send a lock command or erase the device remotely. This prevents someone from accessing your personal information even if they have the physical tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Find Mobile works only if you set up a Samsung account on your tablet before it goes missing and location services are enabled.
- You access Find Mobile through findmobile.samsung.com on any web browser, not through an app on another device.
- If your tablet is nearby and powered on, you can make it ring loudly to help you locate it in your home or car.
- You can lock your tablet or erase all data remotely if you believe it has been stolen.
- If Find Mobile is not set up, contact your carrier or local police, and consider checking with places you visited recently.
Set up a Samsung account before your tablet goes missing
The best time to prepare for a lost tablet is before you lose it. When you first set up your Samsung tablet, you are prompted to create or sign into a Samsung account. This account is what powers Find Mobile. If you skipped this step during setup, you can add it later through Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Add account > Samsung account.
Once the account is active on your tablet, make sure location services are turned on. Go to Settings > Location and toggle it to On. You can also choose which apps have permission to use location. Find Mobile works best when location is set to High accuracy mode, which uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks together.
Write down your Samsung account username and password in a safe place separate from your tablet. You will need this information to access Find Mobile if your tablet is lost.
Make your tablet ring if it is nearby
If you think your tablet is in your home, car, or a nearby location, use Find Mobile to make it ring. Sign into findmobile.samsung.com, select your tablet from the device list, and tap Ring. The tablet will play a loud sound for up to one minute, even if it is set to silent mode.
This feature works only if the tablet is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. If the battery is dead or the device is in airplane mode, the ring command will not work. Check places where you last remember using the tablet—under couch cushions, in a car seat, or on a nightstand—while the tablet is ringing.
Lock your tablet remotely if you cannot find it
If you cannot locate your tablet after ringing it, lock it to prevent anyone from accessing your accounts, photos, or personal files. In Find Mobile, select your tablet and tap Lock. You can set a new PIN or password at this time. The tablet will be locked the next time it connects to the internet.
A locked tablet cannot be used without the PIN or password you set. This buys you time to contact your bank, email provider, and other services if you are worried about unauthorized access. The person holding the tablet will see a lock screen but cannot bypass it without the correct code.
Erase your tablet if you believe it is stolen
If you are certain your tablet has been stolen and you do not want to recover it, you can erase all data remotely. In Find Mobile, select your tablet and tap Erase. This will delete all photos, files, accounts, and settings from the device. The erasure happens the next time the tablet connects to the internet.
Erasing is permanent and cannot be undone. Use this option only when you have given up on finding the tablet and want to protect your privacy. After erasing, you will not be able to locate the tablet on a map anymore because Find Mobile requires your Samsung account to be active on the device.
What to do if Find Mobile is not set up
If your tablet does not have a Samsung account or Find Mobile was never activated, you have other options. Contact your mobile carrier if your tablet has a SIM card—they may be able to track it using the device's IMEI number, a unique identifier for every tablet. Some carriers offer their own device tracking services.
File a police report if you believe the tablet was stolen. Include the model number, serial number (found on the back of the tablet or in Settings > About tablet), and the date and location where it went missing. Police use this information to track stolen devices and may recover it.
Check places you visited recently—coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, or your workplace. Call ahead and ask if anyone turned in a Samsung tablet. Many lost devices are found this way and returned to their owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Find Mobile if my tablet is turned off?
No. Find Mobile requires the tablet to be powered on and connected to the internet to work. If the battery is dead, you cannot locate, ring, lock, or erase the device remotely. Once the tablet is powered on and reconnects to Wi-Fi or mobile data, Find Mobile will show its location again.
What is the difference between locking and erasing my tablet?
Locking prevents anyone from using the tablet without a PIN or password you set, but all your data remains on the device. Erasing deletes everything—photos, files, accounts, and settings—permanently. Lock your tablet if you think you might find it. Erase it only if you are certain it is stolen and want to protect your privacy.
Do I need a Samsung account to use Find Mobile?
Yes. Find Mobile is tied to your Samsung account. If you did not set one up before your tablet went missing, you cannot use Find Mobile. You can still contact your carrier or file a police report with the tablet's serial number and IMEI.
Will Find Mobile work if my tablet is on airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, so the tablet cannot send its location to Find Mobile. The tablet must be in normal mode with Wi-Fi or mobile data enabled for Find Mobile to work.
Can someone else use my tablet if I lock it remotely?
No. Once you lock your tablet through Find Mobile, it cannot be used without the PIN or password you set. The person holding the tablet will see a lock screen and cannot access any apps, files, or accounts without the correct code.