Your lost Android phone can now call you

By David Nield August 9, 2014

lost android phone can now call device manager — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google has rolled out a useful update to its Android Device Manager service — you can now get a lost phone to show a message and contact number, giving you another way of getting your handset back. This works in addition to the existing features that let you locate, lock and wipe your mobile.

The new option is rolling out now to both the Web interface and the official app for Android Device Manager. Under the lock settings you’ll be able to add a message that will be shown to whoever picks up the device, as well as a single contact number that enables them to get in touch with you.

Related: Lost your phone? Android Device Manager will help you find it

With a phone number activated, the only options for the person who has discovered the mobile are to correctly enter the passcode or place a call through to you. Google hasn’t officially announced the new feature yet, but it was picked up and reported by Phandroid.

As for the recovery message, that’s entirely up to you — you might want to entreat the phone’s finder to return it safely to you or offer up some kind of reward. Be careful to avoid giving away any personal information, such as your home address, until you know you’re dealing with someone you can trust.

The ability to add a lockscreen message has been available for several Android versions, but now you have the option to set one remotely. If you haven’t already configured Android Device Manager for your phone or tablet, you’ll find it in the Google Settings app on your gadget. The associated app is only required if you want to find one Android device from another rather than going through the Web interface.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Dave is a freelance journalist from Manchester in the north-west of England. He's been writing about technology since the…

Mobile

What is NFC? How it works and what you can do with it

NFC settings on an Android phone.

Near field communication (herein referred to as NFC) is a smartphone and wearable technology that lives in the shadows. Silently operating around the clock, NFC is relied upon for several device functions, with wireless transaction systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay being one of the biggest. But this cool tech can do far more than let you pay for a Twix with your iPhone.

Here’s everything you need to know about NFC technology, and the many ways you can use the wireless protocol today.
What is NFC, and how does it work?
NFC, which is short for near-field communication, is a technology that allows devices like phones and smartwatches to exchange small bits of data with other devices and read NFC-equipped cards over relatively short distances. The technology behind NFC is very similar to radio-frequency identification (RFID) commonly used in the security cards and keychain fobs that you likely already use to get into your office or gym. In fact, NFC is an evolution of RFID that offers more advanced features and better security, but the two technologies still share a lot of things in common.

Mobile

How to use iMessage on an Android phone or tablet

iMessage on an iPhone 14 Pro Max, plus iMessage on an Android phone using the Beeper app.

One of the big draws of iPhone and Mac is the iMessage software. This texting app makes it easy to stay connected to friends and family, and many users point to it as a key reason they stay within the Apple ecosystem – venture off to Android, and you'll be stuck with third-party apps or standard text chats.

However, that's not actually the case anymore. While Apple's iMessage software is exclusive to iOS and you won't find it in the Google Play Store, a new app called Beeper lets you access the iMessage platform. The universal chat app works with a variety of texting software beyond iMessage, making it a one-stop-shop for all your communication needs.

Mobile

10 iPhone productivity apps you need to download right now

iPhone 14 Pro showing the Moon always-on screen, held in a man's hand.

If you're anything like us, your Apple iPhone is a beast with multiple uses. It can go from an email-firing machine to a dedicated Netflix device in seconds and then into playing video games just as fast. But just because it can do all of those things doesn't mean it couldn't stand a little fine-tuning when it comes to optimizing it for productivity.

"Productivity" can mean a lot of things, whether it's sending emails, making tweaks to documents and spreadsheets, or just planning for your day ahead. Whatever being productive means to you, there are apps that will make it easier. Here are 10 iPhone productivity apps you need to download today.
Todoist
The best to-do app