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To find a lost Samsung Galaxy, open Samsung Find or SmartThings Find, sign in with the Samsung account linked to the phone, and select it from the device list. If the phone was set up for finding and can be reached, you may see its location and use options to ring, track, or lock it. If you suspect theft, do not go to the mapped location yourself; share the information with authorities.
How to find your lost Samsung phone
- Open Samsung’s finding service. On a computer or another phone, visit Samsung Find or SmartThings Find. Samsung’s US guidance lists both websites. You can also use the Samsung Find or SmartThings Find experience on another Galaxy device.
- Sign in to the right Samsung account. Use the account associated with the missing phone. If you have more than one Samsung account, check each one that might have been used on the device.
- Select the missing phone. Choose it from the device list and check the location and the time of the last update. The available controls depend on the phone’s setup and connection state.
- Choose an action. Ring it if it may be nearby, lock it to protect access, or use Track location if you need further updates. Consider battery-saving or erasure options only after weighing the consequences.
Samsung’s screens and features can vary by model, software version, and carrier. Availability also varies by country or region. See Samsung’s US instructions for locating a lost Galaxy phone or tablet.
What the location means if the phone is offline or powered off
When the phone can communicate
If the phone is on and able to communicate, the service may show its current location. Check the timestamp rather than assuming the map is live; a location can become outdated if the phone moves or loses connectivity.
When mobile data is disconnected
Samsung’s Offline finding feature can use nearby Galaxy devices as Find Nodes to help relay a supported device’s location even when mobile data is disconnected. This depends on Offline finding being enabled beforehand, compatible device support, and regional availability; it does not guarantee that every offline Galaxy can be found. Samsung describes this service and its regional limitations on its SmartThings Find page.
#1 Best Overall
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only
When the phone is powered off
Samsung says that when a device is powered off, only its last known location is available. Treat that point as a clue, not confirmation of where the phone is now.
Which remote action should you use?
| Action | What it does | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | Samsung says the phone rings for one minute, even if it is set to mute or vibrate. | Use it when you think the phone is in a nearby room, car, or other place you can check safely. |
| Track location | Samsung says it requests a location update every 15 minutes. This is not continuous live tracking. | Use it when the phone may be moving and you need further location updates. |
| Lock | Samsung’s guidance describes setting a PIN and optionally adding a lock-screen message and emergency contact. | Use it to help prevent access and give someone who finds the phone a way to contact you. |
| Extend battery life | Samsung describes remotely enabling Maximum power saving mode. | Use it when preserving the phone’s remaining charge may keep a chance of contact open. Any duration Samsung describes in days is product guidance, not a guaranteed runtime for your phone. |
| Erase data | Samsung describes this as a remote factory reset. | Reserve it for when recovery seems unlikely and protecting the data outweighs the benefit of continuing to locate the device. Samsung advises backing up first if possible. |
Feature names and availability may differ by phone, software, carrier, or region.
Rank #2
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
Check that finding was enabled before the phone went missing
Finding options generally need to be configured before a loss. Samsung’s US support article gives this path: Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection. There, enable Allow this phone (or tablet) to be found, Send last location, and Offline finding. A Samsung account must be added to the device; Samsung says remote controls are enabled by default when that account is added.
Settings menus vary across models and software versions. If you do not see that path, search Settings for “Lost device protection” or the closest equivalent. You can also consult Samsung’s instructions for using SmartThings Find with the SmartThings app.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, activates your compatible IoT devices and stays powered for up to 500 days or even up to 40% more on Non-Power Saving Mode
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something. Switch on Search Nearby and get guided instructions to your item's location via Compass View; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- Type of battery needed: replaceable CR2032 1 ea Lithium battery (not included)
Rank #4
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
Rank #3
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
If you cannot locate or erase the phone
- Protect accounts. If Samsung cannot remotely erase the device, change passwords for accounts that may be signed in on it. Samsung says changing your Samsung account password logs out devices using that account.
- Contact your carrier. Samsung says your carrier may be able to help locate or suspend the device; ask the carrier what options are available for your service.
- Report suspected theft safely. Samsung’s US guidance 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 retrieve it for you.” Share the location details with authorities rather than confronting anyone or entering private property.
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