Use Samsung Find Mobile to locate your phone on a map

Samsung Find Mobile is Samsung's built-in location service that shows your phone's position on a map in real time. If your phone is powered on and connected to the internet, you can see exactly where it is from any web browser or another device.

To use Find Mobile, go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in with the Samsung account you use on your phone. The map will show your phone's current location. You can also make your phone ring at full volume, lock it remotely, or erase its data if you believe it has been stolen.

This method works only if your phone is turned on and has an active internet connection — either through Wi-Fi or mobile data. If your phone is powered off or the battery is dead, Find Mobile cannot locate it.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung Find Mobile shows your phone's location on a map when it is powered on and connected to the internet.
  • You access Find Mobile through findmobile.samsung.com using your Samsung account, not through an app on your phone.
  • Google Find My Mobile works as a backup if your phone has a Google account and location services are turned on.
  • If your phone is off or has no battery, neither service can locate it, but you can still lock or erase it remotely.
  • Setting up these services before you lose your phone takes five minutes and makes recovery much faster.

Set up Samsung Find Mobile before you need it

Samsung Find Mobile only works if you have already signed in to your Samsung account on your phone. If you have not done this yet, go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, select Accounts, and add your Samsung account. Once you are signed in, the service is automatically active.

You should also make sure location services are turned on. Go to Settings, tap Location, and toggle it on. This allows both Samsung Find Mobile and Google's location service to pinpoint your phone. Without location services enabled, neither service will work.

Test the system now by visiting findmobile.samsung.com on a computer and signing in. You should see your phone appear on the map. If it does not, your phone is not connected to the internet or location services are off. Fix this now rather than discovering the problem when you actually need to find your phone.

Use Google Find My Mobile as a backup

Google's location service works independently of Samsung's system. If you have a Google account on your phone and location services are enabled, you can find your phone at google.com/android/find by signing in with that Google account.

Google's map shows your phone's location and lets you ring it, lock it, or erase it. The interface is slightly different from Samsung's, but the function is the same. Having both services set up means you have a backup if one system is not working.

Like Samsung Find Mobile, Google's service requires your phone to be powered on and connected to the internet. It also requires location services to be turned on in your phone's settings.

What to do if your phone is off or has no battery

If your phone is powered off or completely out of battery, neither Samsung Find Mobile nor Google's service can show you its location. However, you can still take action through both services. You can remotely lock your phone or erase all its data to prevent someone from accessing your accounts.

If you have a Samsung account, you can also contact Samsung Support directly. They may be able to help you file a report or work with your carrier. Your mobile carrier — whether it is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another company — may also have tools to locate your phone, though they typically require a police report.

After you locate your phone or confirm it is lost, contact your carrier to suspend service on that phone number. This prevents someone from using your phone to make calls or send messages on your account.

Check your carrier's location tools

Your mobile carrier may offer its own location service separate from Samsung's or Google's. Verizon offers a service called Family Locator, AT&T offers Mobile Locate, and T-Mobile offers Family Where. These services are sometimes free and sometimes require a monthly fee.

Contact your carrier directly to ask whether they offer a location service and whether it is already active on your account. Carrier-based services sometimes work even when your phone has limited internet connection, though they are generally less precise than Samsung Find Mobile or Google's service.

Prevent loss by using a tracking tag

If you frequently misplace your phone around your home or car, a Bluetooth tracking tag like a Samsung SmartTag or Apple AirTag can help you find it by sound. You attach the tag to your phone case or keep it in your pocket, and when you cannot find your phone, you ring the tag from your computer or another phone.

Tracking tags work over short distances — typically 30 to 100 feet depending on the model — and do not require an internet connection. They are useful for finding your phone in your house or car, but they will not help you locate a phone that has been stolen or left at a business.

Tracking tags are not a replacement for Samsung Find Mobile or Google's service, but they are a useful addition if you lose your phone frequently in predictable places.

Report your phone to police and your carrier if it is stolen

If you believe your phone has been stolen rather than straightforward lost, file a report with your local police department. You will need your phone's IMEI number, which is a unique identifier for your device. You can find your IMEI by dialing *#06# on any phone, or by looking at your original receipt or carrier account.

After filing a police report, contact your mobile carrier and provide them with the report number. They can blacklist your phone's IMEI so that it cannot be activated on any carrier's network, even if someone tries to use it with a different SIM card.

Your carrier can also suspend your phone number and help you transfer it to a replacement phone. Do this as soon as possible to prevent someone from using your phone number to access your accounts or impersonate you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my Samsung phone if location services are off?

No. Both Samsung Find Mobile and Google's service require location services to be enabled. If location services are off, neither service can pinpoint your phone. Your carrier may have limited ability to locate your phone, but this typically requires a police report and is much less precise.

Does Samsung Find Mobile work if my phone is on airplane mode?

No. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including the internet connection that Find Mobile needs to send your phone's location to the map. Your phone must have Wi-Fi or mobile data active for the service to work.

What is the difference between Samsung Find Mobile and Google Find My Mobile?

Both services show your phone's location on a map and let you ring, lock, or erase it remotely. Samsung Find Mobile uses your Samsung account, while Google's service uses your Google account. They work independently, so having both set up gives you a backup if one is not working.

Can I find my phone if someone turned it off when ready after stealing it?

No. Once your phone is powered off, neither Samsung Find Mobile nor Google's service can locate it. However, you can still lock or erase it remotely through either service to protect your data. Your carrier may be able to help if you file a police report.

Do I need to pay for Samsung Find Mobile?

No. Samsung Find Mobile is free for any Samsung account holder. Google's location service is also free. Some carrier-based location services charge a monthly fee, but Samsung's and Google's services do not.