Google Makes It Easier To Locate A Lost Android Phone Using The My Account Feature
We're careless creatures, there's no denying that. It's why we lose our car keys, forget concert tickets at home, and misplace our smartphones. Google can't help you with the first two, but if you happen to lose your Android device, or even worse it ends up stolen, don't panic, the search giant launched a new feature that can help you track it down.
According to Google, "millions of phones are stolen every year in the U.S. along, and countless more are lost in taxis, cafes, and couch cushions around the world." That's life and while it's easy to tell someone not to stress over it, these wonderful little devices contain all kinds of personal information that we don't want falling into the wrong hands. That includes private text messages, pictures, emails, bank information, and more.
Should your phone end up missing, you can track it down using Google's new "Find your phone" feature. Google added it to My Account, a hub it launched a year ago that puts privacy and security tools in one place.
"In a few simple steps, you can not only locate your phone, but also lock and call it, secure your account, leave a callback number on the screen, and more," Google stated in a blog post announcing the new feature.
The Find your phone feature works with both Android and iOS devices. Right now it requires going to My Account and clicking on Find your phone, but sometime in the near future you'll be able to utilize the feature by searching Google for "I lost my phone," Google says.
It's one of three new features Google added to My Account. The other two include new ways to access the hub. In the latest Google app you can just say, "OK Google, show me my Google account" and it will take you there. And if you search for your own name and you're already signed in, you'll see a shortcut to My Account.
According to Google, "millions of phones are stolen every year in the U.S. along, and countless more are lost in taxis, cafes, and couch cushions around the world." That's life and while it's easy to tell someone not to stress over it, these wonderful little devices contain all kinds of personal information that we don't want falling into the wrong hands. That includes private text messages, pictures, emails, bank information, and more.
Should your phone end up missing, you can track it down using Google's new "Find your phone" feature. Google added it to My Account, a hub it launched a year ago that puts privacy and security tools in one place.
"In a few simple steps, you can not only locate your phone, but also lock and call it, secure your account, leave a callback number on the screen, and more," Google stated in a blog post announcing the new feature.
The Find your phone feature works with both Android and iOS devices. Right now it requires going to My Account and clicking on Find your phone, but sometime in the near future you'll be able to utilize the feature by searching Google for "I lost my phone," Google says.
It's one of three new features Google added to My Account. The other two include new ways to access the hub. In the latest Google app you can just say, "OK Google, show me my Google account" and it will take you there. And if you search for your own name and you're already signed in, you'll see a shortcut to My Account.
