How to Find a Lost or Stolen Galaxy S8 Plus

This guide helps you locate a missing Galaxy S8 Plus using Samsung’s Find My Mobile and Google’s Find My Device. You’ll need a Samsung account or Google account linked to the phone, and the phone must be powered on and connected to the internet for most features. Follow the steps below to track, lock, or erase your device remotely.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung account (if you use Find My Mobile) – you can log in from any web browser.
• A Google account (if you use Find My Device) – the same one you used on the phone.
• Access to a computer, tablet, or another phone with internet.
• Your phone’s IMEI number (optional, for reporting to authorities or your carrier). Find it on the original box or your carrier receipt.

Step-by-Step

1. Act quickly. The sooner you start tracking, the better the chance of locating the phone while it’s still on and connected.
2. Log in to Find My Mobile. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com on any device and sign in with the Samsung account that was set up on your Galaxy S8 Plus.
3. Select your device. If you have multiple Samsung devices, choose the Galaxy S8 Plus from the list. The map will show its last known location.
4. Use the location features. On Find My Mobile, you can:
   • Ring the phone: This plays a loud sound even if it’s on silent. Useful if you lost it nearby.
   • Lock the screen: Set a new PIN or pattern remotely and display a message with a contact number on the lock screen.
   • Track location: The map updates periodically. If the phone is moving, refresh to see the latest position.
5. If Find My Mobile doesn’t work, try Google’s Find My Device. Go to google.com/android/find and sign in with the Google account linked to the phone. You’ll see a map with the device’s location.
6. On Find My Device, you can:
   • Play sound: Rings at full volume for 5 minutes, even if on silent.
   • Secure device: Locks the phone with a new password and signs you out of your Google account on that device.
   • Erase device: Wipes all data. Use this only if you’ve given up hope of recovery – it removes the ability to track it afterward.
7. Check the location details. Both services show the approximate address and time of the last update. If the location seems wrong (e.g., an old spot), try refreshing after a few minutes.
8. If the phone is nearby but you can’t see it, use the ring feature to make it sound. Follow the sound carefully.
9. If the phone is stolen and you can’t retrieve it, lock it remotely with a message and contact info. Do not attempt to confront a thief – report it to local police and provide the IMEI number.
10. Contact your carrier. They can block the phone’s IMEI to prevent it from being used on their network, which may discourage thieves.

Common Mistakes

• Waiting too long. The phone’s battery drains, and thieves may turn it off or reset it. Act within minutes if possible.
• Using the wrong account. Make sure you’re logged into the same Samsung or Google account that was on the phone. If you have multiple accounts, try each one.
• Assuming location is real-time. The location shown is the last time the phone checked in. If the phone is off, it’s not live.
• Erasing the device too early. Once you erase, you lose the ability to track it. Only erase if you’ve accepted the phone is gone for good.
• Not enabling the services beforehand. Find My Mobile and Find My Device must be turned on in the phone’s settings before it goes missing. If they were off, you can’t use them now.

Tips

• Keep location services on. For tracking to work, the phone must have GPS and internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) enabled.
• Use both services. If one fails, the other might work. They use different accounts and servers.
• Write down your IMEI. Keep it in a safe place. It’s essential for police reports and carrier blocking.
• Set a lock screen message. If you lock the phone remotely, include an alternate phone number or email so a honest finder can contact you.
• Check your Samsung account activity. If you suspect the thief is trying to access your data, you can sign out of all devices from the Samsung account settings.
• Consider a tracking app for the future. After you recover or replace the phone, install a third-party tracker that works even if the phone is reset (but note that these may require rooting or special permissions).

Troubleshooting

• The phone is offline or powered off. You won’t see its location. Both services will show the last known position. Set up an alert if the service offers it (Find My Device can notify you when it comes back online).
• You can’t log in to your Samsung account. Use the “Forgot password” link to reset it. If you’ve lost access to the recovery email, contact Samsung support.
• The map shows an old location. Refresh the page. If it doesn’t update, the phone is likely offline or the GPS was off.
• Find My Mobile says “device not registered.” Make sure you’re using the correct Samsung account. If the phone was set up with a different account, try that one.
• The phone was factory reset. Find My Device may still work if the phone is connected to the same Google account after reset (Factory Reset Protection). Find My Mobile may not work if the phone was reset without your Samsung account.
• You’re in a country where Find My Mobile isn’t available. Rely on Google’s Find My Device, which works in most regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my Galaxy S8 Plus if it’s turned off?

No. If the phone is off, it can’t send its location. You’ll only see the last known position before it powered down.

Will Find My Mobile work if I never set up a Samsung account?

No. You need a Samsung account that was logged into the phone. If you didn’t have one, you can’t use Find My Mobile. Try Google’s Find My Device instead.

Can I remotely delete my data if the phone is stolen?

Yes. Both Find My Mobile and Find My Device offer an “Erase” option. This wipes all data, but it also stops tracking.

How do I get my IMEI number if I don’t have the box?

You can find the IMEI on the original box, on your carrier’s bill, or by logging into your carrier’s online account. If you still have the phone’s SIM card tray, it might have the IMEI printed on it (though not always).

Can the thief remove my Google account to disable Find My Device?

On Android 5.1 and later, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) requires the original Google account credentials after a factory reset. So even if they reset the phone, they’ll be stuck at the setup screen unless they know your password.

What should I do if I find the phone myself?

If you recover it, you can unlock it using your PIN, pattern, or password. If you locked it remotely, enter the new lock code you set. Then disable any remote lock options in settings.

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