Find your phone: what to do first
iPhone or Android: open the right map, lock the device and understand offline limits.
To locate a lost or stolen phone, open iCloud Find My for iPhone or Google Find Hub for Android. Sign in with the account linked to the device, select it and check the location timestamp. An old location does not prove the phone is still there.
Your safety comes first
If it was stolen, share useful information with the authorities. Do not confront anyone at an address shown on the map.
Which tool should you open?
- iPhone: the Find My app or iCloud.com/find. Mark the device as lost.
- Android: the Find Hub app or android.com/find. Choose to mark the device as lost.
- A phone nearby: try playing a sound. If you suspect theft, prioritize locking it.
Current location, last location or offline device
The map may show a recent location or the last available one. Results depend on the device, its settings and the network. A powered-off phone is not automatically findable. Our guide to finding a phone that is turned off or offline explains that specific case.
When the map is not enough
Contact your carrier to suspend the line and ask about blocking options. IMEI blocking concerns cellular network access; it is not a location service. Review affected accounts and payment methods.
Erasing a device and removing it from an account are different actions. Do not remove a stolen iPhone from Find My: doing so removes Activation Lock. A remotely reset Android device becomes unavailable in Find Hub. Review the consequences and backups before erasing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a phone be located using its number or IMEI?
Apple and Google consumer tools rely on your account and the phone's settings. A paid website claiming to locate any phone by number or IMEI is not equivalent to these official services.
What if finding was not enabled?
An iPhone will not be available in Find My if the feature was disabled before the loss. On Android, check the account and previous settings. A location cannot be guaranteed after the fact.
A text says my phone was found. Should I use its link?
Open the official app or website yourself. Do not share your passcode, password or verification codes through an incoming message.
Prepare for next time
Check finding settings and backup access, back up your data and choose how to carry the phone. A physical tether may reduce dropping and snatching risks, without guaranteeing theft prevention. Compare wrist straps and crossbody options for your needs.
Check the current product page for price, compatibility and availability. LOCKÜP is a physical tether, not a GPS tracker.
Official sources and procedures
Apple: find a lost iPhone · Google: find, secure or erase · Google: prepare offline finding.