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I realize this is a long shot, but my phone was lost or stolen a few hours ago.

At the time it was stolen, I didn't have any specific applications installed to track it or wipe the data. So... my bad. I'm hoping the fact that I have a pattern lock will at least prevent anyone from accessing my data.

My question is, do I have any options for tracking or data wipe after the fact? (I'm more interested in tracking.)

Note: I have read similar questions, but unless I'm mistaken, they all address the question in terms of preparation before losing the phone. I'm asking about fallback options after losing the phone.

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  • 2
    See also Is there any way to erase personal information from my phone that has already been stolen? which covers phone tracking as well as wiping
    – GAThrawn
    Commented Jan 23, 2012 at 14:48
  • 6
    I strongly recommend you change your Google account password. Like, now.
    – offby1
    Commented Jan 24, 2012 at 0:05
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    it's not just changing account passwords... you have to explicitly un-associate the device from certain accounts. Dropbox is one such, as is twitter
    – geocoin
    Commented Jan 25, 2012 at 16:58
  • If you have changed your password before remotely installing Plan B, I doubt that, Plan B can get installed remotely, because of authentication failure.
    – IsmailS
    Commented Jan 27, 2012 at 4:42
  • @iSid: Good point to note, though in this case I did install and attempt to execute Plan B before changing my Google password.
    – Questioner
    Commented Jan 27, 2012 at 5:26

5 Answers 5

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You can install Plan B remotely to your phone via the Market's web interface. Plan B was made exactly for this, to get the location of your phone AFTER it has been stolen.

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  • Is there an alternative that works on a Galaxy Pad Galaxy Tab 10.1v GT-P7100?
    – rubo77
    Commented Jun 9, 2013 at 13:01
  • Ah I see: Android Lost
    – rubo77
    Commented Jun 9, 2013 at 13:37
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    Unfortunately Plan B only works with 2.0 - 2.3 versions of Android.
    – Himanshu
    Commented Jan 10, 2014 at 5:28
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Android Lost is another app that you can install after your phone has been stolen.

Quote from the link:

No pre installation required
You didn't install AndroidLost on your phone? No problem! You can push the AndroidLost app to your phone from google market and initiate the connection to googles servers by sending an SMS with the message "androidlost register" to your phone.

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  • As of 2014 and possibly some version of Android I don't think that is possible now because of the need to send an SMS or register the phone by starting the application (which the person in possession of the phone would need to do) - groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/androidlost/Vo5_F0wF_do/…
    – Crowie
    Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 10:34
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Same situation here. However if you changed your account's password before installing Plan B and your phone was off, you still have a chance to get that app installed and trace it, at least it worked for me after changing it.

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I'm surprised that no-one has suggested going to the play store / device manager and using the built-in tools for locking and erasing the device in question. Go here: https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?hl=en&u=0

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Whoever stole it probably turned it off. You should probably call your carrier if you know the IMEI.

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