Losing your phone can be catastrophic as it poses a risk of leaking personal data such as photos, contacts, payment details, etc. The situation is exacerbated when its battery is depleted because traditional methods to determine its current location, for instance, via calling or GPS, are ineffective. Panic not! There always exists solutions to salvage the situation.

Continue reading to learn how to track a dead phone.

In This Article:

If Your Phone Dies, Does Your Location Stay On?

Unfortunately, no. Once a phone powers off, whether due to a dead battery or manual shutdown, location tracking services cease functioning. These features rely on GPS, Internet connectivity, or other location-based sensors that require power to collect data and refresh the user’s latest status continuously. Consequently, a turned-off phone fails to transmit its location in real time.

On the bright side, this does not signify that there is no way to locate your inactive device. Determining its last location before shutdown provides important clues about its whereabouts. While certain traditional methods no longer work, others prove to remain invaluable. Below is a comprehensive list of useful approaches for this scenario.

5 Methods To Locate A Dead Phone

Leverage Built-In Location Functionality

Some individuals may not be aware that their smartphones come equipped with tracking functionalities. For example, iPhone users can benefit from the “Find My iPhone” tool. Here is how to activate this tool on Apple devices:

Step 1: Open the Find My iPhone app from the device screen or utilize the web version at https://www.icloud.com/find/.
Step 2: Sign in to the Apple ID associated with the lost device.
Step 3: Navigate to the Devices tab and scroll through the list of devices to find the inactive phone. If you cannot find it, select All Devices.
Step 4: Tap on the device icon you are looking for to view its most recent location. Click Play Sound to access the navigation map.

However, this feature only works if it is enabled beforehand. If you are not familiar with this setting, follow these straightforward steps:

Step 1: Head to the Settings menu and select [Your iPhone ID] > Find My.
Step 2: Click Find My iPhone and toggle the switch on.

Similarly, Android users can utilize a comparable feature called “Find My Device” on their devices. Here is how to find your phone when it is dead:

Step 1: Visit android.com/find or launch the app store and download the Find My Device app.
Step 2: Sign in with your Google account associated with the target phone.
Step 3: Click on your phone icon and a map showcase after indicating the last known location of your Android device.

Just like with iPhone tracking requirements, the Find My Device feature for Android phones necessitates prior activation before your phone runs out of power.

Install Location Tracker App

While built-in apps are valuable free tools, they only provide tracking services through Google or iCloud accounts. This means you must complete all the necessary prerequisites to maintain control over your devices. But what if you have missed this crucial stage?

In such circumstances, third-party tracking apps can come in handy. Most provide various methods to locate your missing device, such as tracking via phone number or leveraging your online connections.

All you need to do is launch the app store, input “tracker app” into the search bar, and select an application that aligns with your preferences. Upon installation, adhere to the on-screen instructions for registration and operation. Pay close attention to the privacy policy, as certain efficient phone locators monitor your device’s activities.

The greatest disadvantage of tracker apps lies in the potential exposure of personal information. Additionally, some options necessitate a fee to access their premium service package for optimal experience.

Therefore, it is crucial to find a trustworthy provider to ensure effective and risk-free tracking. Prior to installation, meticulously examine user reviews and prioritize highly rated choices.

Check Location History On Google Maps

A little-known fact is that Google Maps does more than show routes and traffic jams. It exhibits the “Timeline” feature that monitors the movements of a device, or more precisely, a Google account. Consequently, you can trace your phone’s route and determine its last active place before the battery depletes.

Follow the simple procedure below to enable this functionality:

Step 1: Navigate to Google Maps through your mobile phone or web browser.
Step 2: Log into the Google account associated with your lost phone.
Step 3: Tap on your profile icon and select Timeline.
Step 4: Specify the date when your device powers off.
Step 5: A map shows up depicting the route your phone took. Now, review the most recent active location.
Step 6: Click that specific point to discover the precise coordinates recorded at the last known instance.

Use IMEI Number

An IMEI code stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It comprises 15 unique digits that encode technical information and user policies assigned to each mobile device. Its distinctiveness enables you to pinpoint the location of your inactive phone.

To locate your smartphones using the IMEI number, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your app store and search for any highly-rated IMEI tracker app.
Step 2: Download the app and proceed with the installation process.
Step 3: Input the IMEI code of your misplaced device and tap “Track.” Following that, the app interface displays a window or a map showcasing the last-known spot of your phone.

Contact Mobile Carriers

When technological resources fall short in locating your phone, reaching out to your mobile carrier becomes imperative. You can ask for assistance in identifying the approximate location of your misplaced phone, as most carriers maintain tracking capabilities.

However, not all are willing to fulfill your request unless you present complete proof of ownership. Additionally, unregistered numbers might pose additional challenges due to being out of reach. In such cases, contacting local law enforcement is advisable, as they are authorized to request location history records.

See more:

How To Fix “No Location Found” Error on iPhone

How To Track Someone’s Phone Without Them Knowing?

Conclusion

While comprehensive technology solutions help smartphone users locate their devices in challenging situations, preparation in advance is essential. As demonstrated earlier, most solutions mandate activating location services or synchronizing your Google account beforehand.

From our experience, enabling the notification for the last known location is also recommended in case your device becomes unresponsive. These approaches greatly increase the chances of recovering your phone in the shortest possible time.