iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
You can find another Samsung phone only if it is your own device or the owner has already shared access with you. To find your own missing phone, sign in to Samsung Find or SmartThings Find using the Samsung account linked to it. To see another person’s location, use Samsung Find’s consent-based sharing; you cannot use these services to secretly switch on someone else’s location or sharing.
Choose the right Samsung feature
Samsung offers two different routes, and they are not interchangeable:
| What you need to find | Use | What must be in place |
|---|---|---|
| Your own missing phone or a device you are authorized to manage | Samsung Find or SmartThings Find lost-device tools | The device must be associated with the Samsung account you use, and relevant finding settings must have been enabled. |
| Another person’s current location | Samsung Find’s People/location-sharing feature | The other person must accept a sharing request; sharing can be limited by duration and stopped. |
| A family member’s device | Family sharing in Samsung Find, if supported and configured | Family-group setup and device-sharing eligibility apply; family membership does not override the person’s sharing choices. |
Samsung Find includes Devices, People, and Items functions. SmartThings Find also supports finding lost devices. Samsung describes them as separate services, so use the service and steps that match your goal.
Find your own missing Samsung phone
Open the lost-device service
- In a browser, open the Samsung Find or SmartThings Find website.
- Sign in with the Samsung account associated with the missing phone.
- Select the phone from the device list to view the available location and actions.
Samsung’s US support instructions list these prerequisites for finding a phone: a Samsung account added to the device, remote controls enabled, and “Allow this phone to be found” enabled. A phone that is on and connected to a stable network can provide a current location. If it is powered off, Samsung says you may see only its last known location. Settings names and paths can vary by region and software version.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Use available recovery actions
- Ring: Samsung says this can make the phone ring for one minute even if it is muted or vibrating.
- Track location: Samsung’s US guide describes location updates every 15 minutes. Availability depends on the device and its state.
- Extend battery life: This can activate Maximum power saving mode to help preserve the phone’s charge.
- Found-device notifications: Samsung Find supports notifications when a device is found.
These actions are not guaranteed to work in every situation: the phone’s power, network access, prior setup, and regional or device support affect what is available. Samsung’s instructions are at How to locate your lost Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet.
Locate another person through location sharing
To see another person’s location, use Samsung Find’s People feature and request sharing. The person must accept, can choose a sharing duration, and can stop sharing. Samsung UK states: “Your location is shared only if you accept a location-sharing request.” This is location sharing—not a way to remotely activate someone else’s permissions.
Rank #2
- 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.
Samsung’s setup guidance says the Samsung Find app must be installed on the receiving user’s device for sharing. Some device-sharing options are visible only after a family group has been created. Family-group availability and requirements vary by region and One UI version, so exact menus may differ. See Samsung’s pages on Samsung Find app features and sharing your location with Samsung Find.
Can someone see my location without my permission?
Samsung’s documented location-sharing flow requires the person to accept a sharing request, and the person can stop sharing. Family features also depend on setup and eligibility; being in a family group is not permission to bypass configured sharing choices. If you are concerned about a particular phone, review the sharing settings and requests on that device and stop any sharing you do not want.
Rank #3
- 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
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- 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
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
What offline finding can—and cannot—do
When Offline finding is enabled, nearby Galaxy devices can act as Find Nodes and send signals to Samsung’s server. Samsung says the device being sought still needs to be turned on, and Find Nodes do not indicate its exact location. Treat offline finding as a possible recovery aid, not guaranteed live GPS tracking. Details are in Samsung’s SmartThings Find guidance.
If the phone may have been stolen
Do not go to a mapped location to confront someone or retrieve the phone. Samsung Support US warns: “If you are using SmartThings Find or Samsung Find to locate a stolen phone or tablet, do not go directly to the location on the map.” Inform the authorities and let them handle recovery. See Samsung’s lost-device safety guidance.
Rank #4
- 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.
Check device and regional support
Support and menus can differ by country, Galaxy model, and software version. Samsung Support Canada says Samsung Find supports Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 2 or later, and is preloaded on new Galaxy devices with One UI 6. Family sharing and device-sharing menus have additional regional and family-group conditions. Check Samsung’s current guidance for your country and device before relying on a particular setting or action; Samsung’s Canada overview is available at Learn about the main features of the Samsung Find app.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
