Jul042012

How can I track my stolen cellphone?

Sandra Neria asks:

$700 worth of stuff was stolen from me, how can I track my Android cellphone? And no I don’t have any apps to locate it downloaded. My phone company Virgin mobile won’t help me at all.


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51 Answers -

0 votes

Vipul Jain

July 4, 2012

If no apps to locate it were installed.
Then only your provider can help you. Or report your IMEI no (should be on the box or bill) to the cops and they can maybe trace it (now this depends on the level of tech your local police have access to)

btw Sorry for your loss.. :/

Ramesh

Vipul,
I am in similar situation and an Indian like you dwelling at the so called IT capital of India or also Silicon valley of India. It sounds like your city police have all the required stuff to track IMIE and recover lost phone.

Do you have any advise for me.

thanks for your kind reply in advance.

ramesh

October 22, 2012
Justine

I’ve used Plan B. You can download it remotely to your phone. Mine was stolen and I was emailed the coordinates to my gmail account. Still praying for it to be recovered… :)

November 11, 2012
Jenn

I just downloaded installed plan b cause my s3 was stolen but I’m not getting any emails :( do you know if it will work even my sim card was removed?

November 17, 2012
venkat

same to me i am also lost my s3 with plan B installation.but there is no any mails :(

November 21, 2012
Pablo

same thing just happened to me, just got it stolen.. no emails were sent from plan b .. maybe cause they turn off the phone…

December 17, 2012
tsuna

sorry guys but if you have an S3 i’m guessing your running jellybean 4.1/4.2 which means that plan B won’t work on your phone my phone was stolen from my workplace and there trying to catch the thief and i emailed the devlopers of planb and they told me it doesn’t currently work with jellybean adn sometimes with ice cream sandwhich depending on the phone. My glaxy nexus was stlen.

January 6, 2013
Babs

My phone is missing and I added Plan B pretty angry that’s it not working been trying for an hour, no clue how on Earth I am going to find it :/ Seems it should work if our phones are off though

January 19, 2013
ayushi modi

yrr help me i have lost my smart phone-samsung galaxy ace, i havent turned on my mobile tracking system nor gps nd i want them yrr plzz help me

November 25, 2012
susendeep dutta

Try tracking through IMEI -

http://www.trackimei.com/

December 12, 2012
lane ball

how to find a lost phone

November 28, 2012
susendeep dutta

You can track through GPS like Google Latitude can offer if your phone still has access to internet.

December 12, 2012
0 votes

TwooshVidisha

July 4, 2012

Track your iPhone or iPad by installing and using this Find My iPhone app that not only locate your registered devices or at a suspected place, but also let you lock the devices to save the content of the device from being stolen.

And, there is this Prey Project device tracking solution that covers mobile devices of all platforms from Windows, Mac OS X, Android, iOS to and Linux. Get details on these two and how to make the most of these two mobile device tracking tools from http://www.mizwhiz.com/gadgets/iphone/tablet-pc-trace-it-before-your-lose-it.html

muotechguy

The question specifically says Android, and says nothing was installed on it to aid tracking.

July 6, 2012
Ramesh

Well, vidisha, words i can think of looking at your posting are
childish / foolish / time wasting
Sandra has lost her phone and trying to find some quick help to recover her phone. this will perhaps help her in future.

October 22, 2012
myenemy

Read the post before answering… “without any apps installed before hand”

November 8, 2012
0 votes

Susendeep Dutta

July 4, 2012

You can track your phone using IMEI number -

http://www.trackimei.com/

If your phone has Google Latitude activated,then it can be located in the link below -

http://www.google.com/latitude

Also,Plan B app is useful when your phone gets stolen as it can be installed after your phone is stolen and it sends its location in your Gmail account -

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb&hl=en

Ramesh

trackimie.com is of no use. i tried to register my request, site is crashing. do not waste your time there.

October 22, 2012
Royce

trackimei.com is fine now.
must’ve been a temporary problem.
I registered my lost phone, and even got an acknowledgement in my email.

November 2, 2012
myenemy

When you register, they send you a msg to your phone to verify… This is also useless.

November 8, 2012
thiruna

Please give more details and options sir practially what are the hurdles?

November 5, 2012
0 votes

Mike

July 4, 2012

I’m afraid there is not much you can do since you don’t have any tracking app in place. The best thing you can do is get a police report and have the IMEI of your phone blocked on the Virgin mobile network.

Of course the phone company won’t help you tracking it. Even with a police report stating that the phone with IMEI and whatnot was stolen it would require a court order to do so.
The simple reason is that people could otherwise abuse the system selling their phone for hundred dollars, reporting it stolen and retrieve it via tracking (a good reminder that you should always have some written document on second hand purchases).

0 votes
muotechguy

Android != iPhone

July 6, 2012
0 votes

Dalsan

July 4, 2012

There are posts about the iPhone, yet you stated an Android phone. There are very few possibilities to track your Android phone, and the best advice has been given. Even if you can install apps to your device through the web, it doesn’t mean that the person with the phone will allow the install.

This would be one of your best chances to locating your phone: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-tips-tricks/292054-find-your-phone-without-having-any-tracking-software-installed.html

My suggestion for anyone with Android phones is to install Lookout Mobile as it gives you a very large amount of security and control to your phone should situations like this occur, including wiping all data from the phone and making the phone sound off at the loudest setting, even if the phone is on silent. It also has GPS location for finding the phone. Anyways, hope this helps you.

Dalsan

This might also help: http://www.pcworld.com/article/250040/how_to_locate_your_unprotected_android_device.html

And here is some advice from MUO themselves: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-apps-lost-android-phone/

Plan B from Lookout and Android Lost are your best bets, but if the person who stole your phone is smart enough, then they would’ve done a hard reset and started the phone from scratch, thus making any of the apps not able to help you on your side. Hopefully this is not the case for you. Good luck!

July 4, 2012
nitesh

i have lost my nokia e5 mobile . does it have any software like planb to trace your phone..it is not an android phone
please help ..

October 28, 2012
susendeep dutta

Use the IMEI tracking method -

http://trace.bharatiyamobile.com/

November 17, 2012
0 votes

Kannon Y

July 4, 2012

I’m sorry someone stole from you. Hopefully they catch the people (or person) responsible and get your stuff back. However, Virgin Mobile has an outstanding replacement program for lost or broken phones. They will more than likely send you either a refurbished model of the same or similar as the one you lost. I’ve actually had a couple phones replaced for free with them. Call VM and inquire about their replacement phone program!

But in the event the thief isn’t caught, there are a handful of means you can use to help get your phone back or help the police catch those responsible (maybe). However, your phone must be turned on. It also must have 3G access (or WiFi) and the GPS turned on.

If you haven’t yet cancelled your account with VM, you can remotely install tracking software: The best regarded tracking software is called Plan B. In a nutshell, Plan-B will allow you to find its location within several feet. If you turn this information over to police they may do something about it. Unfortunately, the police do not invest much in the way of resources in catching petty thieves. Petty theft is the theft of any dollar amount less than $950 in California. Laws vary by state. You may wish to check your own.

Kannon Y

I almost forgot, you can find directions on how to remotely install and use Plan B here:

http://blog.mylookout.com/blog/2012/05/09/find-your-lost-phone-plan-b/

July 4, 2012
0 votes

Romi

July 9, 2012

i want to track down my bb

Susendeep Dutta

Track it using IMEI number -

http://www.trackimei.com/

You can track your phone using GPS -

http://www.blackberryspyeasily.com/blackberry-gps-tracking

More information is also discussed in the link below -

http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/track-stolen-blackberry-phone/

http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/track-stolen-blackberry/

July 9, 2012
0 votes

smirt

July 9, 2012

how can i track my blackberry

susendeep dutta

If your phone has any sort of tracking app installed like Berry Snooper,Google latitude etc,the you can be able to track it.

http://www.blackberryspyeasily.com/blackberry-gps-tracking

August 8, 2012
0 votes

thuya8

July 11, 2012

for android, i recommend androidlost

0 votes

Irshaad Abdool

July 11, 2012

relay your IMEI number to the police forces or IT UNIT of your locality, it will be a piece of cake for them to triangulate to your phone if it is in use.
next time, remember to install antitheft softwares on your mobile phone.

sorry for your loss :/

0 votes

Scarlett

July 17, 2012

Look,I lost my blackberry curve 8520 and is there any way i can track it by using my number or BBM Pin. I didnt have any installed protection.HELP!!

0 votes

aasiyaa

August 10, 2012

my cell phone is lost

0 votes

jeo buddenroma

August 16, 2012

It depends on how your trying to locate your friend. If your tring to locate them by GPS they would have to register their phone with a service , allot of services are free today such as Google latitude and buddy way which are a free service but you might have to pre-install the app onto the phone or get them to sign up with them.

If you have lost/ or your cell phone has been stolen you can locate them by the imie number which comes with every phone. Also if you havent installed software of a location app you can use Mr Tracker which locates a mobile number via sms . This online app works but you have to pay for it. it locates lost or stolen phones via imie numbers and locates cell phones around the world by sms. you can find Mr tracker on the internet don’t know if you can get it for free but i got mine from http://www.mrxsystem.com make sure their phone is compatible as-well and that the counrty carrier is listed too.

Mr tracker works via sms , once you send them a sms and they reply to it , you will be given latitude and longitude coordinates within their replied sms which you then input into Google maps or just use their online service. its pretty easy to use once you try it out a few times.

Their are other alternatives if you like spy apps but they all have to be installed before hand.

here are few links:

http://www.mrxsystem.com

and

http://www.buddyway.com

0 votes

jeo buddenroma

August 16, 2012

call you carrier virgin, you will need you imie number . you can find it on the original box of your hand set, or take your receipt where you bought it from they should be able to supply you with it. once you have it either go to your carrier or call them most of them can locate thier phone or just use mr tracker from http://www.mrxsystem.com it locates phone by imie aswell or by sms if you know the number. it will cost you around 20 u.s but it works. hope this helps you.

0 votes

12gagelolo

September 2, 2012

Is there any service or locater program if my galaxy s3 has been stolen but may not be powered on? It was ringing and ringing when I called it and the thief actually answered once but did not speak before hanging up and then every time after that I have tried to call it goes straight to VM? I need any info on if it’s even possible to track if powered down? Desperate!!!! Thanks in advance!!!

susendeep dutta
0 votes

Ismail Khan

September 8, 2012

Hi,

i have lost my cell. i m having its imei no. i have launched a FIR also. kindly guide me how can i trace who is using the cell.

Regards,
Ismail khan.

susendeep dutta

Visit the link below -

http://www.trackimei.com/

September 28, 2012
0 votes

shadena hill

September 23, 2012

how do i get my boost mobile phone somebody stole when its not activated and i dont have the number for it , and its dead ?

susendeep dutta

Contact Boost for blocking the IMEI for any misuse.

October 7, 2012
0 votes

amarjit singh

September 30, 2012

Go to http://www.trackimei.com and report theft there some chances to get it back soon this is only way you can do

0 votes

justa littlehelper

October 2, 2012

ok, so this may be a little bit late, BUT, if any app can help you at this time, its plan B c:

0 votes

kalyan

October 4, 2012

i lost my mobile am having IMEI number with me can u suggest hw can i recover?

susendeep dutta
0 votes

manas dutta

October 11, 2012

My mobile model was samsung star 3.Stolen from majherhat railway station at 7.30 pm. dated 5/10/2012.
How can i track it ???

susendeep dutta

If your phone has mobile tracker activated,then you can track it.Visit nearest Samsung dealer for more information.

October 20, 2012
0 votes

KAVEER

October 12, 2012

how do i find my stolen blackberry 9380 curve ,could i trace it via bbm,what other options i have

0 votes

Ashley

October 21, 2012

I lost my phone recently. It was on silent and GPS turned off. is there still a way to find my phone? i just want the contacts right now

0 votes

andrea leavenworth

October 25, 2012

my friend was in a store last night and put his phone down and someone took the phone, how can i go by fine it

0 votes

kiya smith

October 27, 2012

if you have found my phone i would like it back so please call this number if you have it i am a 10 year old girl looking for a phone so call the number REMOVED if you have seen it.

0 votes

eva

October 27, 2012

My android cellphone has been stolen and I do not have any apps to track it.Can I track it anyway?Samsung Galaxy Ace2(gt-I8160)Please help me somebody!

0 votes

jay

October 27, 2012

i lost my sony ericsson xperia arc s i lost it yesterday and don’t have imei no. and police can’t trace it but i have the IC no. and i have a lot of important datas in that phone.i need it what to do

0 votes

magnolia

October 29, 2012

i can not find my phone i lost it

0 votes

Abhishek

October 30, 2012

How can I find my phone with IMEI number

susendeep dutta
0 votes

Aniket Singh

October 30, 2012

u cannot track ur mobile coz there is no software for that yet……..but u can get help from police

0 votes

Suresh Bhati

October 31, 2012

How can i trace my lost samsung mobile phone

Royce

1. Tracking software only works if your phone is lost/misplaced not stolen.

A thief will surely :
a) throw away your SIM (thus disconnecting your data connection) ,
b) do a factory reset wiping all user data & installed apps (easy to do from settings),
c) remove, format and sell your SD Card,
d) maybe even format your internal storage,
e) maybe even re-flash your phone (lots of info available online)

So any installed apps are useless in locating a stolen phone.

Apps like Plan-B are useless too, due to point (a) above.

These are useful only in case like you dropped it while in the countryside etc. If a good samaritan finds it, he will try to contact you, or take it to the cops. But if a thief takes it, no app can save you.

Your only hope is the IMEI number, which will not change even after re-flashing. But for this, the new user will have to insert a SIM card, then the IMEI number can be tracked via service providers network.

So, DO NOT block your lost phone … only deactivate the SIM.
In any case blocking a phone works only within specific circles./countries.
Besides,If you block the phone, it will be useless to the thief, so he cannot sell/use it …. so, no SIM = no hope !

Also, always make a police complaint, even as just a formality, to protect yourself form any misuse of your phone (IMEI is still linked to the you, the purchaser).

November 2, 2012
Vivek

thank u Royce! that;s very simple n straightforward & clear for many who lost/stolen their phones including me! recently my brand new iPhone 4s was stolen, it means so much to me…!

December 3, 2012
0 votes

Ghazwan orabi

November 2, 2012

hi
my cellphone samsung its stolen i have IME
please help me

thanks

susendeep dutta

Did you go through Royce’s suggestion above which is very explanatory in nature.

November 18, 2012
0 votes

s mary

November 3, 2012

i lost my handset its a normal china handset i have some important contact numbers in that and i want dailed numbers……..so is it possible to find out this details

D Johnson

Someone stole my “TMobile Htc One S” is there any way to find it and no i dont have any security apps downloaded :(

November 4, 2012
susendeep dutta

Ask T-Mobile to block your SIM and track it via IMEI.Moreover,the carrier is also maintaining a database of such stolen phones,so that it would be useless for those thieves.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/01/stolen-phone-database-alive-carriers-can-block-pilfered-handsets/

http://www.fcc.gov/events/announcement-bilateral-initiative-combat-stolen-mobile-devices

November 18, 2012
0 votes

patricia artis

November 5, 2012

how do i track my stolen phone????

susendeep dutta
0 votes

Sourav pran hazarika

November 10, 2012

My mobile phone have stolen. Details are given bellow
Model- Nokia C2-02
IMEI No.- 359292048249783
Sim No.- REMOVED
Please help me.

0 votes

shruti nagrath

November 11, 2012

i lost my android phone about 3 days back. how can i trace it now using the IMEI number?

susendeep dutta

If you had installed any tracking software like PlanB,then use it or else track it via IMEI -

http://www.mobilephonestracker.com/submit-your-imei-code-track-lost-mobiles/

November 18, 2012
0 votes

mohangugaliya

November 13, 2012

i lost my anrold note mobile today

0 votes

Nisarg

November 13, 2012

Hi All,

I recently lost my android phone – HTC Incredible S (359836047414846 IMEI).
Mail me if any detail’s available – Reward will be given!

vineet

how could so many ppl be careless in a world full of thief…:P

u guys should be more careful..

and btw u wont be able to find a handset which is already gone. I am claiming it based on the no. of success stories ( equivalent to nill.) found on internet.

So chill-out and buy some cheap mobile which even if is lost wont hurt.

November 17, 2012
susendeep dutta

You can trace the location from the link below -

http://www.indiatrace.com/trace-mobile-number-location/trace-mobile-number.php

November 18, 2012
0 votes

philander ryngkhlem

November 23, 2012

I need my last called record no.

0 votes

Sebastian

November 27, 2012

Thanks for the help

0 votes

lane ball

November 28, 2012

my phone was lost how do i find it i got it 3 days ago and lost it wat should i doo i have no app to help me please help?????

0 votes

Asser Fouad

December 10, 2012

Dears,
Can anyone help me please, my IPhone 4S has just been stolen and i need to find an online way to track it using the IMEI or the serial.
Please if anyone can help me, your kind reply will be highly appreciated.

Thank you so much
Asser

susendeep dutta

IMEI method -

http://www.trackimei.com/

Also,look at the link below to know how to track a lost iPhone -

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Lost-iPhone

December 12, 2012
0 votes

dariella anna cortez

December 15, 2012

i lost my phone at bar last nte…and its a android cricket phone, mthe phone is dead i made calls and text messages but no respond… i know someone geabbed it i can prove it..i hope i can find my phone!!!!!:(

susendeep dutta

All you can do now is to contact Cricket and ask them to block its IMEI to prevent any form of misuse.

January 13, 2013
0 votes

chintan shah

December 19, 2012

I had stolen my Nokia X2-02 Cellphone on dated 15/12/12 . how can i found it or block the mobile

susendeep dutta

Did the above solutions mentioned above were helpful to you?

Did you tried tracking via IMEI or reporting your carrier to block your SIM to prevent any misuse?

January 13, 2013
0 votes

naresh kumar prajapati

December 20, 2012

yrr hlp me i have lost my samsung phone.i havent turned on my mobile tracking system nor gps nd i want them yrr plzz help me

susendeep dutta

Visit the link below to track your phone -

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/service/tracking

January 13, 2013
0 votes

maria aguiar

January 1, 2013

hiya my samsung galaxy s3 was stolen my someone at a party yesterday could you please help me track the location where it is

susendeep dutta

If your phone did had Google latitude and GPS turned on,you can track it by visiting the site of Google Latitude.

January 13, 2013
0 votes

Sherelda

January 2, 2013

Can you please help me track down my Blackberry Torch. The Shop did not insure it due it was buying cash, hopeless.

susendeep dutta
0 votes

yahya

January 17, 2013

i have lost my samsung star what i can do for it i have no sim

0 votes

Harjeet Kaur

January 18, 2013

Hii im alisha a week ago I lost my blackburry and its turned of I rly need to find it because we r gonna have a prom at high skl nd I NEED my phone to take picz whay shall I do!! :( ?