Discover how to Find Your Device. Learn to locate, secure, or erase your device remotely. Follow steps for police complaints and CEIR.
1. Find your device to use the Find My Phone feature.
This feature, available on Android devices, allows you to find your device, secure it, or erase its data remotely. To access it, go to http://android.com/find.
- Once on the Find My Device website, sign in with your Gmail™ account and password. This step is crucial as it ensures you’re the authorized user of the device you’re trying to locate. After signing in, you’ll see a sidebar on the left side of the screen. This sidebar lists all the devices associated with your Gmail™ account. Click on the device you want to find. Your device’s approximate location will appear on the map. If the device cannot be found, the location history (if available) will be shown.
From the map page, you have three options—find, secure, or erase your Android device:
- Play sound. Even if it’s silent or vibrating, your device will still ring.
- Next, choose the ‘secure device’ option. You’ll be prompted to enter your current location pin or create a new one. This step also lets you leave a message or a phone number for anyone who finds your device.
- Factory reset the device remotely to protect your information if it falls into the wrong hands.
Suppose you’re trying to find your device through the Find My Phone feature, but it’s not working. In that case, it’s likely because your device runs low on battery or isn’t connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The important thing is to keep trying. When it connects to a network, the device appears on the map.
2. Registered police complain to find your Device
Report to Police
Take the responsible step of reporting the matter to the Police. This is crucial as someone else can misuse your device, leading to severe consequences. Follow these procedures to find your device :
In case of Theft
If you think someone has stolen your device, you must go to the police station nearest the device location and register an F.I.R. to report the Theft.
How to file an F.I.R.
- It would help if you went to any nearby police station where you had your device last time.
- Tell the police officer to register the F.I.R. for a stolen mobile device under Section 154 of CrPC.
- Please provide the details of your device, such as its colour, model, and IMEI number.
- Please provide the names of the witnesses if there were any present at the place where you lost your device.
- After filing the F.I.R., you should remember to take a copy of it to track its position afterwards.
In case of a misplaced or lost device
If your device has been misplaced or lost, go to the nearest police station and register a Daily Diary Report (D.D.R.). Unlike an F.I.R., which is filed in cases of serious crimes, a D.D.R. can be registered for non-cognizable offences. If your lost device is misused, the D.D.R. can prove your good intentions.
Mobile lost complaint letter to Police:
From
abc… (Applicant Name)
XYZ …(your contact address)
123456…(your contact mobile number/Phone number)
Abc@your.mail…(your e-mail id.)
Date.______
To,
The Police Officer In charge
Address ( Local Police station)
Respected Sir,
Sub. : Loss of my _____________(mention your lost device and Number)
While travelling from _______(place) to __________(place) by bus/ train/ walk, I lost my device __________ bearing No.____________ along with (name other documents, if any) somewhere. (If you have any idea or chance of loss at an approximate area, you can mention the same in your application). Sir, to avoid any misuse of my above ___________, I seek your help and request you to register my F.I.R. in the subject matter kindly.
For your ready reference, I enclose herewith
(a) details of device, IMEI number of device ____________
(b) copy of ______________ as I.D. proof.
Please do what is needed as soon as possible.
Thanks and regards
Yours Sincerely
____________(your signature)
____________(Your Name)
3. Find your device through CEIR porta
Rest assured, the CEIR website is your official portal for blocking stolen or lost devices. The website can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
Step 1: Visit- https://www.ceir.gov.in/Home/index.jsp
Step 2: Tap on Block Stolen/Lost Mobile—Once on the CEIR website, click the ‘Block Stolen/Lost mobile’ tab. This tab will lead you to the page where you can register a complaint about lost or stolen devices.
When filling out the complaint registration form on the CEIR website, you must provide your mobile device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. This unique identification number is crucial for tracking your lost or stolen device. You can find it in the device box or dialling *#06# on the lost device.
Step 4: Fill in the information—Provide additional details. After providing the necessary information, you will be asked to provide further details about the lost device, such as its make and model, colour, and where it was last seen. This information will help the Police in their investigation.
Step 5: Tap on submit – After filling in all the required information, click the ‘Submit’ button. Once the complaint is registered, you will receive an SMS with a reference number for the complaint on your registered mobile number.
In case you misplaced your device in your home or your known location
Find your device with your smart home speaker.
If you’ve misplaced your device and know it’s somewhere in your house, your smart speaker can help. Ensure your device and smart speaker are signed in to the same account, which will help you find your device quickly.
If you have a Google Home Hub™, you can say something like, “Okay, Google, find my phone.” Your smart speaker will then confirm the device you’re asking about and make it ring. The best part? Even if your device is silent or vibrating, it’ll still make the noise.
Find your device with a Bluetooth tracker.
Do you often need to remember where you placed your device? No worries, you’re not alone. For an extra layer of backup, invest in Bluetooth® trackers. There are several currently available, like the Tile®. All you have to do is sync your device to the tracker so that when it gets temporarily misplaced behind a couch cushion, it will set off an alarm on your device to help you find it quicker.
Have you tried these steps and still need help? We’ve got you. Get your tech problem solved when you call or chat with an expert now.
F.A.Q.
Q1. What is the CEIR website? CEIR is the Central Equipment Identity Register, a database of all devices sold legally in India. It helps track lost or stolen devices and prevents their sale in the country.
Q2. What is the IMEI number, and where can I find it? The IMEI number is a unique identification number assigned to every device. It can be found in the device box or by dialling *#06# on the lost device.
Q3. Is it necessary to file a police complaint for lost devices? Filing a police complaint is not mandatory but highly recommended, as it helps track the lost device and prevents any misuse of personal information.
Q4. Can I file a police complaint online about lost devices in India? Yes, you can file a police complaint online through the CEIR website.
