Configure Samsung's free Find my mobile service
Device manufacturers such as Samsung add custom applications, features and services to their devices that differentiate the devices from stock devices and devices created by other manufacturers.
Some go as far as putting so many apps on the device that it may feel like overload for some users. This can also result in users missing out on some apps or services that may really be helpful for them, and Samsung's Find my mobile service may be one of them.
If you have access to a Samsung mobile device, like my Galaxy Note II for instance, then you also got access to the Find my mobile feature that ships with it.
Find my mobile
The service adds remote access to your device that you can use for a variety of services:
- Locate my mobile - This tracks your mobile device so that you know where it is. While you do not get a detailed street address you can zoom in to narrow it down by a lot.
- Lock my mobile - This service lets you lock your mobile phone which can be useful if it was stolen or if you have lost it.
- Ring my mobile - You can make your phone ring so that you may locate it easier.
- Call / Message forwarding - Configure call or message forwarding here.
- Call logs - Look up the call history.
- Wipe my mobile - This wipes your mobile clean so that no personal data remains after the operation.
- Unlock my screen - This unlocks the screen of the device.
You need to configure the service before you can get started using it. The first thing that you need to do is create a Samsung account if you have not done so already.
Visit the Find my mobile website and select the registration option there to create the account. You can either do so manually or by linking your Facebook account to the Samsung account.
Once you have done that, you need to activate the account and the Find my mobile feature on your device. The easiest way to do so is to open the user guide on the website. Select your Samsung device from the list and you get a page full of instructions on how to configure your phone.
Let me show you how it is done on the Galaxy Note II:
- Select Apps > Settings.
- Scroll down until you find Add account under Accounts.
- Select Samsung account when the account list opens up.
- Download any update if available and repeat the process.
- Enter the username and password that you have selected for the account to activate it.
- Go back to settings and select Security from the menu this time.
- Tap on remote controls under Find my mobile.
- Enter the password of your Samsung account and hit done.
- This enables the feature automatically
Note that this will also enable GPS. You do not need to have GPS enabled at all times though, as it will automatically be activated when you use the locate my mobile button on the service's website.
Verdict
Samsung phone owners do not need to use a third party tracking and location service as they have one built-into their phone by default. It is easy to setup, considering that you have the app already installed on your system and that you only need to activate it to make use of it.
Is this service now available in the US? The service has been around a while, but not in the US.
Jamie I cannot say, it is available in Germany where I tested it.
Wasn’t aware that I had set up that feature when I first got my Samsung Galaxy S4, but reading the article reminded me to check! :)
Probably version dependent. I’m running Android 4.1.2 on Galaxy SIII and I don’t have those settings.
US on Verizon
I am in the US and even after adding the Samsung account, I still do not have the required options under “Security” to activate the app.
But it works only when your data pack is activated on your lost phone.
If your phone is not connect through
You can’t trace and find location of phone.
Nope, not available for me, either :(
(Samsung Galaxy Note II (SGH-I317) on AT&T, running Jelly Bean 4.1.2)
It works in Bulgaria. I have tested it several times. Gladly none of the times I really needed it but it works.
Galaxy Note 2.
I’m in the US and can’t get it to work either.
I am running a custom (Jelly Beans build 19, Android ver. 4.1.2) ROM for the Galaxy S3 SCH-i535.
The ROM does have the remote option. However, Samsung does not list the SCH-i535 in it’s supported S3 versions.
Even though I can log in to the service on the S3, it does not register my phone with the online account.
US phone versions are junk, we always get the 3rd rate knockoffs.
I have samsung account and hit settings and security and don’t have find my mobile…. can you help?
Galaxy note II. Don’t have the find my mobile under security? In US.
It works on Mexico but does any one knows if this feature drains the battery too much? I activated it on my note 2 after 6 months of purchase and apparently it uses a lot of the data plan and the battery since it syncs every 15 minutes and if you are indoors keeps the gps active untill it finds a signal. Which takes a lot of battery power.
I guess my Note 3 model number wasn’t on the list because the service is not available in the US with AT&T. Thanks for the article. Maybe one day…
To all of you who want this feature to work you may want to consider the app “lookout” it’s an anti virus for android and has this feature included i the free version. I have been using since may and works great on my note 2 and it doesn’t drain battery which I like the most. Hope you guys find it useful.
FindMyMobile does not work in Canada either!! Lookout installed and operational in minutes
Is there a way to deactivate it ??
Hi, I really thought your description would solve my problems but unfortunately not. I have a Galaxy Ace 2 which I would have thought would have worked the same. I go onto the Samsung site to use “find my mobile” and it continually shows my mobile as being offline. It just keeps searching for ever.
Any ideas please
Thanks Graham
After the last update to my phone, which applied itself (and nailed my foot to the floor because I couldn’t leave the wifi until it was installed), I had several problems.
One of them that I still cannot fix is the Find My Mobile. I’ve reset the password, turned off and on the phone, and did 3 backflips and still cannot find it even though it’s sitting right in front of me. When I lose this phone, I’ll know that it’s gone for good.
The only thing worse than good is better. Keep your software updates to yourself, Samsung. I was doing fine and dandy until you updated yourself.
God, I’m turning into a cranky olde man.
I’m frustrated because it use to work… but thanks to an update, by phone is now always offline while il still works for my Tab S
it’s work on all samsung phone type or ???
My phone samsaung galaxy note 5 SM920K,it was stolen and I use my samsaung account to find it but I see only my ph is offline situration so how can I find my phone fastenly.Please forgive me some advice mister please I need help with my lost phone.I am from Myanmar Nation.
HI IM FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND LOST MY SAMSUNG J5 I DONT HAVE INSURANCE HOW CAN I TRACK MY PHONE PLEASE HELP
hi, i’ve got a samsung note 5 phone and i registered on the find my mobile service…. months later my phone was stolen and i login into the “find my mobile ” website and saw that it was registered. i couldn’t reach the phone online though(thinking maybe it wasn’t powered on) but days later, i tried login in again but what amazed me was that it was telling me “NO DEVICE REGISTERED”… pls can someone tell me what to do?