If iOS users have a feature that will help them locate and lock their lost devices, Android users also have similar app. It’s called the Google Device Manager. Learn how to Google device manager in this brand new post.
Part 1. What Is Google Device Manager?Part 2. How to Install Google Device ManagerPart 3. How to Use Google Device ManagerPart 4. Summary
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Part 1. What Is Google Device Manager?
No one wants to have their phone lost or stolen but there are unwanted situations that you cannot get away with. As they always say, being prepared saves you from a lot of heartaches. If you are wondering how and what to do with your Android Smartphone in case it gets lost, find out how Google device manager can help.
Google Device Manager(also known as Android device manager) is a tool that helps you locate your device, lock it, and even wipe out important information when necessary. With it, you can easily protect the private information on your Android device by having your Android and your Google account connected.
I hope you may not need it, but in case, it’s better to have it ready and all set.
Part 2. How to Install Google Device Manager
Getting the android device manager working on your Smartphone does not need any sophistication. All it takes is just your Google account, a quick install, and setup.
- Open the PlayStore
- Tap the search bar and type in Android Device Manager
- Follow onscreen prompts to install
- Wait until successfully installed on your phone
Right after installing this app, go to your Settings, and make sure to allow this app to run as a device administrator to give it full access to lock and wipe data.
Part 3. How to Use Google Device Manager
Your Google account plays an important role in installing and using android device manager. You can use any Google account you have added on your phone, and it will simply ask you which account you would like to use to locate, lock and wipe out device.
In order to begin using the device manager, take note of the following:
- Your Android phone must be on
- It must be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data
- The location should also be turned on
- The Find My Device app should be on. Go to Settings, find and tap Security & Location. Tap Find My Device and make sure it is on.
- It must be signed in with your Google account
- Your device should not be hidden in Google Play. You can check it by going to play.google.com/settings and ticking the box under the ‘Visibility’ tab.
Once you are all set, log in to Android device manager and check the current location of your device. Check out these steps for more details:
Note: If you have registered more devices, click on the specific phone name or make/model that was lost or stolen. The same thing with your Google account. If you have multiple Google account, choose the profile you have used upon setup.
- Automatically the lost or stolen device will get a notification.
- You can track the device location on the map shown on your screen. The location is only an approximate and may not be accurate. The app will use all its parameters to help locate your phone. It is best if the GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile data are on. It will also show you the battery level, and if the device is online.
- Choose your next action wisely. If necessary you must click ‘Enable Lock and Erase’. You have the following options:
- Play a sound - This will let the device ring at its full volume for 5 minutes even when it was set to silent or vibrate mode
- Lock - Automatically locks your phone using your PIN, pattern, or password. You can also send a message or instructions to the finder by putting a message or phone number on the lock screen.
- Erase - This feature will wipe out all data from the lost device including your apps, photos and videos, music and other customized settings (except for the SD card info) and you might not be able to recover them. After wiping out the data from the device, you will no longer access it from the app.
How to send a message on the lock screen
If you have chosen to lock the lost device so no one can access it, you may optionally put a message on the lock screen to help the person who found it return to you.
- On your Android phone, go to Settings
- Find and tap Security & location
- Tap Settings from "Screen lock"
- Tap to open the Lock screen message
- Type in your message and Save
You may also add optional emergency information from your lock screen, here are the steps:
- Launch Settings and go to About Phone
- Tap Emergency Information. If you don’t find it there go to Users & Accounts instead and tap Emergency information
- You can add emergency contact and medical information. For medical details, tap Edit Information and enter the details. For adding contacts, tap Add Contact.
- To view these messages and details, Swipe Up from the lock screen. Tap Emergency and tap Emergency Information. Tap again when the Emergency Info flashes.
Part 4. Summary
Losing your phone is such a big frustration especially when you don’t have any way to locate it. Luckily, the android device manager has found a way to help us all locate and secure our devices. I do hope this won’t happen to all of us, but if ever you get caught up in this situation, you know the drill.
Google device manager is just a simple app with a tremendous feature, especially in emergency situations. The only thing you need to think about is the option on what to do with the device. You can ring, lock, and erase it. Be careful with your choices especially when you know you will lose a lot.
I hope this article has helped you in many ways about setting up the Google Device Manager, its features, and how to use it. Don’t forget to share it with your friends whom you think might need it too!
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