Use your phone's built-in location tools first
The fastest way to find your phone is through the location service you already have access to. Both Apple and Google offer free tools that work even if your phone is locked, silent, or powered down (though powered-down phones cannot be located until they turn back on).
If you have an iPhone, go to iCloud.com on any computer or another Apple device and sign in with your Apple ID. Click "Find My iPhone" and select your device from the list. The map will show your phone's last known location. You can also make it play a sound at full volume, even if it is on silent mode — this works from across the room or across the country.
If you have an Android phone, visit google.com/android/find on any computer and sign in with your Google account. You will see your phone's location on a map, the option to play a sound, and the ability to lock or erase it remotely if you believe it is lost for good.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's Find My iPhone and Google's Find My Mobile both show your phone's location on a map and can make it ring at full volume even when silenced.
- You can access these tools from any computer or another device by signing into your Apple ID or Google account.
- If your phone is powered off, these tools will show the last place it was before it shut down.
- If you cannot find your phone through location services, call it from another phone to listen for the sound, or ask someone nearby to help you search.
- Turning on location services and setting up Find My iPhone or Find My Mobile before you lose your phone makes recovery much faster.
Make your phone ring from another device
If you are at home or in a place where your phone is likely nearby, the simplest method is to call it from another phone. When someone calls, your phone will ring even if you set it to silent mode — the ringer will override the mute switch.
Ask a family member, roommate, or friend to call your number. Listen carefully for the sound. Walk toward the noise to narrow down which room it is in. Check under cushions, between car seats, in jacket pockets, and on nightstands — these are the most common places phones end up.
If you do not have access to another phone, you can use a computer to send a text message through your phone's manufacturer (Apple Messages or Google Messages) that will alert your phone and sometimes trigger a notification sound.
Check the places you visit most often
If your phone is not responding to location tools or calls, think through your day in reverse. Where were you when you last remember having it? Most lost phones are found within a few feet of where they were last used.
Check your car first — under the seat, in the cup holder, between the seats, and in the door pockets. Then check your bed, couch, and the bathroom. If you were at work or school, call that location and ask if anyone turned in a phone. If you were at a restaurant or store, call and describe your phone to the manager.
Many phones are found within 24 hours because they end up in a place the owner visits regularly. The longer you wait to search, the harder it becomes — someone else may find it, or the battery may drain completely.
Use your phone's SIM card information to contact your carrier
If you cannot locate your phone through any of these methods, contact your mobile carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever provides your service. You can call them from any phone and give them your account number or the phone number associated with your account.
Your carrier can tell you the last cell tower your phone connected to, which narrows down the search area. They can also suspend your service temporarily so that no one can use your phone to make calls or send messages. This is important if you believe your phone was stolen rather than lost.
Keep your carrier's customer service number saved somewhere you can reach it — in your email, written down at home, or saved in a family member's phone. You will need it quickly if your phone goes missing.
Set up location services before you lose your phone
The time to prepare is before you need it. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Find My," and turn on "Find My iPhone." Make sure location services are turned on in Settings under Privacy. On an Android phone, go to Settings, search for "Find My Mobile" or "Google Find My Device," and turn it on.
Both systems work best when your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data and location services are enabled. If you turn these off to save battery, you lose the ability to find your phone remotely. The small battery cost is worth the protection.
You should also set a strong PIN or password on your phone. If someone finds it, a PIN prevents them from accessing your personal information or turning off location services.
What to do if someone else has your phone
If you believe your phone was stolen rather than lost, do not try to retrieve it yourself. Instead, contact your local police department and file a report. Bring your phone's serial number (IMEI), which you can find on your original receipt or by calling your carrier.
After filing a report, contact your carrier and ask them to suspend your service. Then change the passwords on any important accounts — email, banking, social media — from another device. A thief with access to your phone can reset passwords and lock you out of your own accounts.
Most carriers offer phone insurance or device protection plans that cover theft. Check your account to see if you have this coverage. If you do, you can file a claim and receive a replacement phone, though there is usually a deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my phone if it is turned off?
Location services cannot pinpoint a phone that is powered off, but both Apple and Google will show you the last location where your phone was before it shut down. Once your phone turns back on and connects to the internet, the location will update.
What if I never set up Find My iPhone or Find My Mobile?
You can still set it up now by signing into iCloud.com or google.com/android/find from another device. However, it will only work going forward — it cannot locate a phone that was not enrolled in the service before it went missing. Set it up today for future protection.
Can I find my phone if the battery is dead?
No, a phone with a dead battery cannot connect to the internet or cell towers, so location services will not work. The last known location will remain where your phone was when the battery ran out. Once you charge it, the location will update if it is still in the same place.
Will Find My iPhone or Find My Mobile work if my phone is in airplane mode?
No, airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including the ones needed to send location data. However, if you use the "Play Sound" feature, some devices will still ring even in airplane mode. Your phone's location will update once airplane mode is turned off.
What should I do if I find someone else's phone?
If the phone is unlocked, try to call "Mom," "Dad," or "Home" from the contacts to reach a family member. If it is locked, take it to the carrier's store — they can contact the owner through the SIM card information. Do not try to unlock it or access the data.