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There's nothing more distressing than realizing that your cell phone is missing! Whether it's been forgotten on a bus seat, dropped on a friend's couch or, unfortunately, stolen in a robbery, the feeling of losing this device that stores so much information and memories is distressing.
But calm down! Before you panic, know that there are apps that can help you find your stolen or lost cell phone. They are like digital superheroes ready to spring into action when we need them most.
In this article, we’ll tell you what these apps are and give you tips on how to use them to your advantage. Are you ready to recover your phone?
How do tracking apps work?
Cell phones have something called GPS, which is basically a little antenna that talks to satellites in the sky. These satellites can tell you where your phone is in the world, with great precision. Tracking apps use this information to show your phone's location on a map.
For the application to know where the cell phone is, it needs to be connected to the internet, whether via Wi-Fi or mobile data. It's as if the phone sent a message saying, "Hi, I'm here!" and the app on the other device (like another phone or computer) received that message and showed it on the map.
Many apps not only show where your phone is, but also allow you to do things like lock your phone remotely or make it ring a loud alarm. This is useful for when your phone is nearby but you don't know where it is.
To use these applications, generally you need to have an account, such as a Google or Apple account. It helps the app know which phone it should track, especially if you have more than one device.
Security measures before theft
Every modern phone has a tool to help you find it if it goes missing. On Android, it’s the “Find My Device” and on the iPhone, it’s the “Find iPhone“. Turn this on! Use a good password on your phone, not one like “1234”. It can be a code, pattern or even your fingerprint. This makes it harder for someone to use it without your permission.
Do you know your photos, messages and contacts? It would be bad to lose everything, right? So, make backup copies regularly. This way, if something happens, your important stuff is safe.
Only download apps from safe places, like the Play Store or App Store. There are a lot of weird things out there that can put your phone at risk. When your phone asks you to update, do it! These updates usually have things to make your phone more secure.
When not in use, turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This makes it harder for someone to try to break into your phone without you knowing. Put an emergency contact on your lock screen. That way, if someone finds your phone, they can call you to return it. Just be careful not to put too much personal information on it!
Top location apps on the market
The “Find My Device” by Google is Google’s official solution to help Android users locate their lost devices.
In addition to showing the exact location of the device on a map, it allows you to make it ring (great for when your cell phone is lost at home), lock the device and, in extreme cases, erase all content to protect your information.
The “Find iPhoneApple’s “Find My Device” is Apple’s answer to “Find My Device.” Exclusive to Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and even Mac.
Similar to its Android competitor, it allows you to locate the device, make a sound, block it and erase the data. It also has the option to put a message on the screen in case someone finds it.
O Cerberus is a robust security app that goes beyond simple tracking. This app can take photos or record audio of the environment, ideal for identifying someone who has your device. You can also access location history, lock the device, and receive alerts if someone changes the SIM.
O Life360 – Family Locator and Cell Phone It is an application focused on locating family members, but it can also be used to find lost devices.
In addition to showing the real-time location of each family member, it has a location history and a panic button, which notifies all members in case of an emergency.
O Prey Anti Theft is a multi-functional security app available for both Android and iPhone.
It not only helps you track and locate your phone, but it also takes photos using the front camera (to identify potential thieves), sends alerts if the SIM card is swapped, and can even provide detailed reports about your lost device.
Now that you know more about these apps, it’s easier to choose the one that best suits your needs. The important thing is to always be prepared and protect your digital companion from theft!
