Google's Find Hub Helps Locate Lost Android Phones Using Opt-in Network
Lost your Android phone? Google's Find Hub can help you locate it using an opt-in network of millions of Android devices that pick up Bluetooth signals from lost phones, earbuds, and tracker tags. This location data is end-to-end encrypted, so only the owner can see it.
To use Find Hub, first set it up on your Android phone before you lose it. It will switch on automatically once you sign in with a Google account. However, some settings decide how useful it will be when your phone goes missing. Ensure location and Bluetooth are turned on, 'Allow device to be located' is enabled under the Find Hub settings, offline finding is set to 'With network in busy places only' or 'With network everywhere', and you have a PIN, pattern, or password set.
Newer Pixel phones can even be located several hours after they've been switched off. To locate your lost phone on a map, open the Find Hub app on another Android phone or a Wear OS watch, or visit the Find Hub website on any browser. Sign in with the same Google account and pick your phone from the device list.
Find Hub offers several features to help you recover your lost phone. If the phone is nearby, tap 'Play sound' to make it ring at full volume for five minutes, even if it's on silent mode. The 'Find Nearby' feature shows a shape that fills in as you get closer within 10 meters.
If the phone is stolen or gone for good, act fast by marking it as lost. This locks the phone with your PIN and displays a message and contact number on the lock screen. You can also remote-lock the screen using just your phone number or factory reset the device to permanently delete everything and remove it from Find Hub.