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To find a missing Samsung Galaxy phone, open Samsung Find or SmartThings Find on another device, sign in with the Samsung account linked to the phone, and select it. Whether you can see a current location depends on the phone’s settings, power, and network status; if it may have been stolen, do not go to the mapped location yourself.
Before you lose your phone: enable the recovery settings
Samsung’s U.S. guide says to check the lost-device options on the Galaxy phone while you still have it. Open Settings → Security and privacy → Lost device protection, then enable Allow this phone to be found, Send last location, and Offline finding. Menu names and paths can vary by model and software version.
Samsung says remote controls are turned on by default when a Samsung account is added, but it is worth checking that they are enabled. Finding the phone also requires access to the Samsung account associated with it.
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- Open Samsung Find or SmartThings Find in a browser, or open the SmartThings app on another device.
- Sign in with the Samsung account used on the missing phone.
- Select the missing device from the device list to view its location and available actions.
- Choose an action based on the situation: ring it if it may be nearby, track its location if you need updates, or lock it to protect access. Consider erasing data only if recovery is unlikely and you accept that the action is consequential.
Samsung’s U.S. support instructions say the standard finding workflow requires the phone to be powered on and connected to a stable network. When those conditions are met, Track location provides updates every 15 minutes after it is started, according to Samsung; that interval is the service’s stated behavior, not an independent guarantee of accuracy or uninterrupted updates.
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Choose the right action for the situation
| Action | When it helps | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | The phone may be nearby, such as at home or in an office. | Samsung says it rings for one minute, even if the phone is set to mute or vibrate. |
| Track location | You need location updates for a phone that can be found through the service. | Samsung says updates are provided every 15 minutes after tracking starts. |
| Lock | You want to protect the device while you try to recover it. | Use the available lock controls in Samsung Find or SmartThings Find. |
| Extend battery life | The phone is still reachable and you want to preserve power for recovery. | Samsung lists this as a remote action; the reviewed guidance does not specify a guaranteed amount of additional battery time. |
| Erase data | You judge that protecting personal data matters more than continued recovery attempts. | This is a consequential reset. Samsung recommends backing up before a reset when possible; erasing may end your ability to keep tracking the phone. |
Can you track a Samsung phone if it is offline or turned off?
If it is offline
Offline finding may let nearby Galaxy devices detect the missing phone even when it is not connected to the internet, provided Offline finding was enabled beforehand. This is not the same as a guaranteed live connection to the phone: availability depends on the feature being set up and another nearby Galaxy device being able to detect it. Samsung describes this behavior in its SmartThings Find guidance.
If it is turned off
Samsung says that when the phone is powered off, the service can show only its last known location, not a current one. The last-location setting can help preserve that information, but it cannot show where the phone went after it shut down.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
If Samsung Find does not locate the phone
- Confirm that you signed in with the Samsung account associated with the missing phone and selected the correct device.
- Allow for the possibility that the phone is powered off, disconnected, or not discoverable under its current settings; a map result is not guaranteed.
- Contact your mobile carrier. Samsung says a carrier may be able to help locate the device or suspend its service; options depend on the carrier and country.
- If you suspect theft, report it to the authorities and let them handle retrieval. Samsung advises against going directly to the location shown on the map.
- Protect your Samsung account credentials and other accounts that may be accessible from the phone.
Samsung’s U.S. lost-device guide covers the account, settings, remote actions, and theft precautions. Its SmartThings Find information also explains offline finding. A SmartTag is for locating a tagged item through SmartThings; Samsung’s reviewed guidance does not establish it as a way to recover a phone that is already missing.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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