How to track down your lost devices

This article has been updated. Originally published August 20, 2019.

We've all experienced that frantic pocket-patting panic: you're heading home after a long week, daydreaming about Monday's arrival, only to realize—your phone's missing! Or maybe you forgot your camera on vacation (a mistake your partner won't let you forget). Technology offers a solution to these modern-day mishaps.

Smartphones and laptops often include built-in tracking. Google, Apple, and Microsoft accounts provide quick location services. For devices lacking GPS, like cameras or Nintendo Switches, Bluetooth trackers offer a pre-departure alert.

Tracking Your Smartphone

Our phones are multifaceted devices—music players, GPS, organizers, cameras—yet forgetting their whereabouts is surprisingly common. To avoid the resulting heart-stopping moment, use your phone's built-in tracking.

On Android, navigate to Settings, then Security, followed by Find My Device. Enable the switch next to Use Find My Device. This allows you to locate devices linked to your Google account. To find your phone, use the Find My Device website, the Find My Device app on another Android device, or search "find my device" in Google Chrome (while logged in). The platform displays your phone's location on a map. For pinpoint accuracy, you can trigger a ring, even if it's on silent. This works for Android tablets, Wear OS watches, and Pixel Buds. Samsung users also have the Find My Mobile service. Access it via Settings, then Biometrics and security, and finally Find My Mobile.

iOS offers a similar feature, "Find My." In Settings, tap your name, then Find My, and finally Find My iPhone. Enable Find My iPhone, Find My network (for offline location), and Send Last Location (for low-battery situations). Use the Find My app on another Apple device or the Find My iPhone website to locate and ring your iPhone (even if silenced). This also works for iPads and Apple Watches.

Tracking Your Laptop

Laptops might seem less prone to disappearing than phones, but it happens. If your MacBook is missing, Find My can help. The Find My iPhone website shows all registered Apple devices, including MacBooks, allowing you to trigger a sound alert.

On macOS, enable the feature by opening the Apple menu, clicking System Preferences, then your Apple ID (sign in if needed). In the sidebar, select iCloud and check Find My Mac.

Microsoft's Find My Device works similarly. In Windows 10 Settings, go to Update & Security (Privacy & Security in Windows 11), then Find my device. Enable tracking. Locate your device via your Microsoft account's Devices page. Windows 11 allows you to lock your device and leave a message; Windows 10 does not offer sound alerts. Location services remain active, sending updates to your email.

Tracking Any Device

While built-in tracking is helpful, it might fail if the device is off or has a dead battery, and it's not an option for devices without GPS. Bluetooth trackers offer a solution. Attach them to phones, laptops, cameras, or anything else.

These trackers communicate with your phone. When your phone leaves a certain range, an alarm sounds. This is ideal for preventing accidental departures without your iPad, for example.

Apple users can utilize AirTags. These small trackers work with the Find My network, allowing you to locate and trigger a sound alert.

Tile trackers offer various sizes and ranges. The Tile app (free, with premium features) can alert you if you leave home without a tracked item. SpotyPal is another alternative with similar functionality.

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