Stolen Phone (Android) - best way to trace it

[Raithlin]

So I was (admittedly, my fault) relieved of my phone yesterday. I left it in the work's shared ablutions, and when I realised this and phoned my number, it had been switched off.

I have Lookout installed on my phone (Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro), and immediately logged onto the website, enabled the Premium 14 day trial, locked the phone, and tried to track it. That was yesterday. As of this morning it is still trying to lock the phone, and hasn't been able to track it either. My guess is the phone is still off.

I've done the obvious - blocked the SIM, etc. - but I was wondering if there was another way to pick it up, once it is switched on of course. My concern is that Lookout will not pick up the phone with another SIM installed.

 

[kingrob]

I've done the obvious - blocked the SIM, etc. - but I was wondering if there was another way to pick it up, once it is switched on of course. My concern is that Lookout will not pick up the phone with another SIM installed.

Yup, it's still switched off and most probably another sim in it already.

Did you put sim lock on the phone....like when you put in a new sim, it will ask your for a pin number? Then at least the person won't be able to use anything on your phone and it will have to be wiped. Will obviously still be able to access your SD card.

 

[Elimentals]

So I was (admittedly, my fault) relieved of my phone yesterday. I left it in the work's shared ablutions, and when I realised this and phoned my number, it had been switched off.

I have Lookout installed on my phone (Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro), and immediately logged onto the website, enabled the Premium 14 day trial, locked the phone, and tried to track it. That was yesterday. As of this morning it is still trying to lock the phone, and hasn't been able to track it either. My guess is the phone is still off.

I've done the obvious - blocked the SIM, etc. - but I was wondering if there was another way to pick it up, once it is switched on of course. My concern is that Lookout will not pick up the phone with another SIM installed.

Lookout will track it till they uninstall the app, regardless of the sim in use, the only catch is that the phone needs to be connected to the internet.

Locking the SIM & Phone immediately does limit your chances of getting it back. When the phone is locked they will either dump it or simply wipe it causing Lookout to be removed.

 

[scudsucker]

You could try Plan B - an app that can be installed remotely when the phone is on.

I have not tried it, but desperate times...

 

[rorz0r]

+1 for Plan B. Good luck...

 

[kingrob]

Locking the SIM & Phone immediately does limit your chances of getting it back. When the phone is locked they will either dump it or simply wipe it causing Lookout to be removed.

Yes, but it stops the criminal from getting hold of all your phone numbers, addresses, sms messages, etc.

If you've not fussed about that, and don't worry if he phones your wife/girlfriend with obscenities, then don't use a sim and phone lock.

 

[Elimentals]

Yes, but it stops the criminal from getting hold of all your phone numbers, addresses, sms messages, etc.

If you've not fussed about that, and don't worry if he phones your wife/girlfriend with obscenities, then don't use a sim and phone lock.

Remote wipe without lock normally helps for this.

 

[opinionhated]

Plan b worked. but the Sim hadn't been changed. Lost not stolen.


Found it in the middle of Groenkloof nature reserve.

 

[Raithlin]

Thanks, all. Will look into Plan B. I've locked the phone remotely (LookOut) - if they wipe the phone, that's fine by me. If I see it pop up, I'll track it down with the cops in tow.

UPDATE
Plan B is by Lookout - and I already have that installed. No real difference, except for the automated emails...

 

[opinionhated]

Thanks, all. Will look into Plan B. I've locked the phone remotely (LookOut) - if they wipe the phone, that's fine by me. If I see it pop up, I'll track it down with the cops in tow.

UPDATE
Plan B is by Lookout - and I already have that installed. No real difference, except for the automated emails...

Oh. Didn't see that you already had lookout. You maybe shouldn't have locked it, as that might push the thief to measures that will prevent you from locating the phone.

 

[Syphonx]

for future use:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=en

you can delete avast after install but it comes with a tracking app (formally theft aware) which runs in the background and allows sms commands and tracking. I f your phone is rooted you can set it so that even a wipe won't be able to uninstall it and the only way would be some elite hacking skills from the thief.

avast! Anti-Theft
App Disguiser
After downloading avast! Anti-Theft, user can choose a custom name that disguises the app (e.g. call it “Pinocchio game”) so that it is even harder for thieves to find and remove.
Stealth Mode
Once anti-theft is enabled, the app icon is hidden in the app tray, leaving no audio or other trace on the target phone – the app is ‘invisible’, making it difficult for thieves to detect or remove.
Self-Protection
Extremely difficult for thieves to remove (especially on rooted phones), Anti-Theft protects itself from uninstall by disguising its components with various self-preservation techniques. On rooted phones it is able to survive hard-resets and can even disable the phone’s USB port.
Battery Save
Anti-Theft only launches itself and runs when it needs to perform tasks. This preserves battery life and makes it very difficult for thieves to shut it down.
SIM-Card-Change Notification
If stolen and a different (unauthorized) SIM card inserted, the phone can lock, activate siren, and send you notification (to remote device) of the phone’s new number and geo-location.
Trusted SIM Cards List
Establish a ‘white list’ of approved SIM cards that can be used in the phone without triggering a theft alert. You can also easily clear the trusted SIM cards list, to leave the one present in the phone as the only trusted one.
Remote Settings Change
A setup wizard guides the user through the installation process on rooted phones. No command-line knowledge is necessary to install Anti-Theft rooted. Also supports upgrading.
Remote Features
SMS commands provide you the following REMOTE options for your ‘lost’ (or stolen) phone:
Siren, Lock, custom Display properties, Locate, Memory Wipe, covert Calling, Forwarding, “Lost” Notification, SMS Sending, History, Restart, and more

 

[Raithlin]

Thanks, Nduimiso. I actually had Avast on at one point, but took it off when I stuck a custom ROM on. :erm:

It will, however, be going on my new phone.

 

[Syphonx]

Thanks, Nduimiso. I actually had Avast on at one point, but took it off when I stuck a custom ROM on. :erm:

It will, however, be going on my new phone.

well it was only recently acquired by avast (theft aware) and you have to setup from within avast, it's not to run by default, but once you set it up you can delete the avast. Also helps if you root your phone to get the most out of the app. Bonus is that its free

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Wait, what? Avast is free? Gotta look at it....

 

[Raithlin]

well it was only recently acquired by avast (theft aware) and you have to setup from within avast, it's not to run by default, but once you set it up you can delete the avast. Also helps if you root your phone to get the most out of the app. Bonus is that its free

Wait, what? People are walking around with unrooted phones? :wtf:

Wait, what? Avast is free? Gotta look at it....

Uh-huh. A bit of a bi**h to set up, but by the sam token a bugger to get rid of.

I'm waiting for my new SGSII to arrive. Today or tomorrow...

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Give me good reasons why I should root my phone. (not counting the Avast feature above in)...

 

[Fudzy]

Wish Google/Android would come to the party with a default app like Apple has.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Wish Google/Android would come to the party with a default app like Apple has.

Apple excel with that. I can remotely lock my iPad, and do fun stuff with it should some ne'er-do-well decide to blag it.

The weak point is the battery - with some devices you just rip the battery out. Simple. Effective.

With an iPhone/iPad you cannot just switch it off that easy...

But I prefer a device whose battery I can remove without any major ballaches...

 

[Elimentals]

Give me good reasons why I should root my phone. (not counting the Avast feature above in)...

Depends, on what you do with your phone, but here is some examples:

GameGuardian - lets you hack games and get the "virtual currency" for free
WiFiKill lets you kick other people off the WiFi Access point you using, hoging the bandwidth
Samba - Samba file share lets you share your Phone like its a PC on a network.
Sixaxis - Allow you to use PS3 controller for games
Titanium Backup - Make a full backup of your phone that you can restore at anytime, even to another phone.
Hexamob Recovery - can get files back that you deleted by accident.
Adfree - get rid of ads
Webkey and apps like it that lets you control your phone via WiFi.

Removing bloat or pre-installed apps that you dont want/use. Can also overclock if you want.

 

[Elimentals]

Wish Google/Android would come to the party with a default app like Apple has.

Erm I dont.

There is plenty of apps on the market that can fill the gap and I like it that way. I get to chose the one I want, instead of crap other people think I should.

Oh and you welcome to use Itunes if you want as well check out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mirsad.sync