Losing your phone is incredibly frustrating. In today’s world, the consequences go far beyond financial issues. We use our phones for everything from social interactions to business deals. While your data should always be backed up in the cloud, you still don’t want the wrong people to get their hands on it. Furthermore, you need to find or replace it as soon as possible if you want to go about life as normal.
The good news is that if you have renters or homeowners insurance, you can claim back on theft and loss in many circumstances. You don’t have to get specific cell phone insurance. Your insurance will pay you out for the phone or will replace it, so that you don’t have to worry too much about the financial loss.
That said, the ideal scenario still entails finding your phone. And if you don’t find it, you’ll want to be able to wipe all data off it. For that reason, you should have a phone tracker installed.
To make sure you’re in the best position possible in case of theft or loss, here are the best lost phone trackers.
Find My (Native iPhone App)
The native iPhone tracking app, now simply called Find My, is the obvious choice for iPhone users. The app tracks your phone at all times, along with any other Apple devices you own. It saves a last-known location if the battery dies or someone turns it off. Importantly, you can erase your device remotely if need be.
There is no real reason for most iPhone users to use any other device tracking app. Find My does everything you need it to do, and is safest in terms of privacy. After all, you’re using iCloud to store your data in any case. By simply using the iPhone app, you do not have to give any third party access to your data.
Google Find My Device
If you have an Android app, the natural option is to go with Google Find My Device. This app performs the same functions as iPhone’s Find My app. You can track your phone within buildings, see a last-known location, and erase the data if necessary.
The one issue people seem to have with the Google app is that it sends a notification to the phone that someone is tracking it. This is very useful if you’re concerned about stalkers tracking you without your knowledge, but can be frustrating when it reminds someone who has stolen your phone to turn off location services!
Where’s My Droid
Where’s My Droid is the most popular alternative to Google Find My Device for Android users. It has most of the same functions, but has some extra features as well. For one thing, it won’t send a notification that you are tracking the phone unless you tell it to. It allows you to send a customised message to whoever has your phone if you feel that will be helpful.
Another useful feature is that you can remotely take a photo of the person holding your device. You can turn up the volume of your phone if you think it is nearby, and you can lock and erase the phone if you have lost hope of ever getting it back. There are additional premium features, including the ability to prevent third parties from deleting the app off your phone.
The main issue with using a third party app to track your phone is that you make your privacy more vulnerable by giving the third party total access. For the app to work, you need to allow it to track your phone at all times and have access to its features, as well as the ability to access the data on your phone (if only to erase it). If you are using an Android, the Google app prevents you from having to get a third party involved.
Tracking a lost or stolen device is easy with the above apps. If your phone has a native app, that is the ideal option so that you can avoid making your phone vulnerable to more prying eyes.
