How to Locate a Lost Android If You Haven't Installed a Security App
Many folks either feel like they’re invincible or just forget to download an app that may end up saving their phone. I know from experience how stressful it can be when you leave your smartphone in a cab or on a bus and then beat yourself up for not having installed an app on it so you can later hunt it down.
Plan B automatically starts locating your phone using cell towers and GPS. On some phones, Plan B can switch GPS on automatically. Your location will keep updating for 10 minutes and you will get an email each time it is located, whether the phone is moving or standing still. You can initiate the tracking process simply by texting “locate” to your phone from any other phone.
Of course, successfully hunting down a lost or stolen app requires more than a security app. You’ve also got to have helpful strangers willing to help you in your hunt and a thief who’s willing to turn over the device. But for those who’ve lost their phone and forgotten to install a security app on it beforehand, Plan B is a godsend.
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Comments
@steven-no sim slot or 3g. Not necessarily looking at remote install - more a curiosity of how you might locate it if lost.
If you've got a SIM slot and 3G on your tablet, the app should work!
Thanks for the heads-up, Stefan. I'm glad there's some competition in this part of the app world. It IS scary what you can do remotely, but thankfully at least Plan B sends the information to the e-mail address associated with your phone, so that no one can intercept the information along the way.
@Steve....that's a good question. I'll look into it...I know you can download a security app for a tablet but I'm not sure how you'd so so remotely...
Consider AndroidLost (free in the market). It should offer the same remote installation feature and a LOT more options to controll / track / wipe your device. It is almost a bit scary what you can do remotely... ;)
The more advanced stuff doesn't work with remote install though, as you would need to confirm the app as system administrator first.
fine
It's great that there are apps for smartphones but what do you do for a tablet w/o a phone number?