SECURITY
Finding a lost phone is much easier if you set things up before it goes missing. Google's Android Help page "Be ready to find a lost Android device" lists the settings Find Hub needs. This guide puts those checks in order and explains what each offline-finding option means.
Before you start: Google notes that some of these steps only work on Android 14 and up, and menu names vary by phone maker. Find Hub works for phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, Android XR devices, headphones and tracker tags, according to Google.
Step 1: Check that you are signed in to a Google Account
Open Settings, tap Passwords, passkeys and accounts, and check that your account name and email address are shown.
Step 2: Check that Location is on
Open Settings, tap Location, and turn on Use location. Google warns that some Location settings can also make your device's location available to other apps and services.
Step 3: Check that Find Hub is on
Open Settings, tap Security, then Find Hub, and check that Allow device to be located is on. With it on, you can ring, locate, secure and erase a lost device.
Step 4: Choose how offline finding works
In Settings, open Google All Services (if tabs exist), then Find Hub, then Find your offline devices. Google says you need a screen lock set to help find offline items. The options are:
- Off: Your device's encrypted recent locations are not stored and the device does not join the Find Hub network.
- Without network: The device does not join the network, but you can still locate it from the encrypted recent locations stored while it was online.
- With network in busy places only: Helps locate your offline device in places like airports or busy footpaths, if you have a PIN, pattern or password set.
- With network everywhere: Helps locate your offline device in busy and remote areas, if you have a PIN, pattern or password set.
If the battery runs out
For supported devices, like the Pixel 8 series, Google says the Find Hub network can still locate the phone for several hours after it is turned off or out of battery. Choose one of the two network options, and keep Bluetooth and Location on when the phone shuts down.
Step 5: Check your device is listed on Google Play
Open play.google.com/library/devices and check that Show In Menus is ticked for your device. Google says a device hidden on Google Play will not appear in Find Hub.
Step 6: Check that you can find your device
Open android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account. If you see your device there, you are set up.
Source: Google Android Help, Be ready to find a lost Android device, https://support.google.com/android/answer/3265955 (read November 12, 2026). Steps and menu names can change, so check Google's page if your phone looks different.