Use Samsung Find Mobile to locate your phone on a map
Samsung Find Mobile is Samsung's built-in location service that shows your phone's position on a map in real time. If your phone is powered on and connected to the internet, you can see exactly where it is from any web browser or another device.
Go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in with the Samsung account you used on your missing phone. The map will display your phone's current location. If your phone is nearby but you can't see it, you can make it ring at full volume for two minutes—even if it's set to silent mode. This works through walls and under cushions.
If your phone is powered off or has no internet connection, Find Mobile will show you the last known location where it was online. This is often enough to narrow down where to search or where to retrace your steps.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Find Mobile shows your phone's real-time location on a map when it's powered on and connected to the internet, accessible from findmobile.samsung.com.
- You can trigger a loud alarm from Find Mobile even if your phone is set to silent, which helps locate it in nearby spaces.
- If your phone is off or offline, Find Mobile displays the last location where it was connected, which can guide your search.
- Google Find My Mobile also works on Samsung phones and offers similar location and remote lock features through your Google account.
- If your phone is truly lost and you cannot locate it, you can remotely lock it or erase it to protect your personal data.
Set up Find Mobile before you lose your phone
Find Mobile only works if it is turned on before your phone goes missing. When you first set up your Samsung phone, the system asks whether to enable Find Mobile. If you said yes, you are already set up. If you are not sure, open Settings, tap Security and privacy, then Find Mobile, and toggle it on.
You will need a Samsung account to use Find Mobile. If you do not have one, you can create it free at account.samsung.com. Make sure you remember the email address and password—you will need them to sign in from another device when searching for your phone.
Turning on Find Mobile uses a small amount of battery and data, but the trade-off is worth it. A phone you cannot find is a phone you have lost.
Use Google Find My Mobile as a backup location method
Most Samsung phones also have Google Find My Mobile built in, which works through your Google account instead of your Samsung account. This is useful if you forget your Samsung password or if Find Mobile is not responding.
Go to google.com/android/find and sign in with the Google account linked to your phone. You will see your phone's location on a map, the option to make it ring, and the ability to lock or erase it remotely. The process is nearly identical to Samsung Find Mobile, and both services can work at the same time.
If you do not remember which Google account is on your phone, check your phone's settings before it goes missing. Open Settings, tap Accounts, and look for Google. Write down the email address.
Lock or erase your phone remotely if you cannot find it
If your phone has been missing for hours and you cannot locate it, you have the option to lock it or erase it remotely to protect your personal information. Both Samsung Find Mobile and Google Find My Mobile offer this feature.
In Find Mobile, tap Lock my mobile to set a new PIN that only you know. Your phone will be locked when ready, and anyone who picks it up will not be able to access your photos, messages, or accounts. You can also set a message to display on the lock screen, such as "If found, please call [your number]."
If you want to erase all data on your phone, choose Erase my mobile. This removes all photos, contacts, messages, and apps. This action cannot be undone, so use it only if you are certain your phone is gone for good or if you are concerned about sensitive information being accessed.
Check your phone's last known location and search history
If Find Mobile shows your phone's last location but it is now offline, that location is your best starting point. Think about where you were when the phone last connected to the internet. Was it at home, at work, in a car, or at a store?
If you use Google Maps or Google Timeline, you can see a detailed history of where your phone has been. Open google.com/maps/timeline and sign in with your Google account. This shows your phone's movement throughout the day, which can help you remember exactly where you were and where you might have left it.
Retrace your steps to the last known location. Check under seats, between cushions, in jacket pockets, and in bags. Many phones are found within a few feet of where they were last used.
Contact your carrier and file a report if your phone is truly lost
If you have searched everywhere and cannot find your phone, contact your mobile carrier—whether that is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider. Tell them your phone is lost. They can suspend your service so no one can make calls or use data on your account, which protects you from unexpected charges.
You can also file a police report, especially if you believe your phone was stolen rather than straightforward misplaced. Many police departments allow you to file online or by phone. Keep the report number in case you need it for insurance purposes.
If your phone is insured through your carrier or a third-party insurance company, contact them to start a claim. You will likely need the police report number and your phone's serial number or IMEI, which you can find on your carrier's account page or on the original receipt.
Prevent future loss by using phone tracking habits
Once you find your phone or replace it, build habits that make loss less likely. Keep your phone in the same pocket or bag every time you leave a location. Before you stand up from a table, desk, or car seat, do a quick phone check. Many people find their phones by retracing steps to the last place they remember holding it.
Consider a phone case with a bright color or pattern so it is easier to spot. Some people attach a small tracking tag like an AirTag or Tile to their phone case, which sends an alert if the phone leaves a certain area. These tags work alongside Find Mobile and add an extra layer of protection.
Keep your Samsung account password and Google account password written down in a safe place at home. If you ever need to use Find Mobile or Find My Mobile in an emergency, you will be able to sign in quickly without having to reset your password first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my Samsung phone if it is turned off?
No, Find Mobile cannot locate a phone that is powered off. However, it will show you the last location where your phone was online. If your phone has a low battery, it may turn off on its own, so check the last known location first.
What if I do not have a Samsung account?
You can still use Google Find My Mobile if your phone has a Google account linked to it. Go to google.com/android/find and sign in with your Google account. If you do not have either account set up, you will need to contact your carrier or file a police report.
Can someone else use Find Mobile to track my phone?
No. Find Mobile requires your Samsung account password to sign in. Only you can access it. If you are concerned someone knows your password, change it when ready at account.samsung.com.
Does Find Mobile work if my phone has no data plan?
Find Mobile needs either a data connection or Wi-Fi to send your phone's location. If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, Find Mobile will work. If it has no internet connection at all, it cannot report its location in real time.
Can I lock my phone remotely if someone stole it?
Yes. Both Find Mobile and Google Find My Mobile allow you to lock your phone with a new PIN remotely. This prevents anyone from accessing your accounts, photos, or messages. You can also set a message on the lock screen asking the finder to call you.