Deactivate Android Device Manager: Step-by-Step

Android Device Manager (now called Find My Device) is a built-in security feature that lets you locate, ring, lock, or erase a lost Android phone. Deactivating it removes your device from Google’s tracking system and disables remote locate and erase commands. You might want to do this before selling, recycling, or troubleshooting the device. You’ll need your Google account password and the device in hand.

What You’ll Need

Your Android device (the one you want to deactivate)
Your Google account password (to confirm changes)
Stable internet or mobile data connection

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the gear icon, or open the app drawer and select Settings.
Go to Security. Scroll down and tap Security (sometimes under “Security & privacy” or “Biometrics and security”).
Find Find My Device. Look for Find My Device (or “Find My Device” under “Device administration” or “Security”). Tap it.
Turn off Find My Device. Toggle the switch to Off. If prompted, enter your Google account password to confirm.
Confirm deactivation. You may see a warning that you won’t be able to locate, lock, or erase the device if it’s lost. Tap Turn off or Deactivate to confirm.
Verify it’s off. Go back to the Find My Device screen and ensure the toggle is grayed out or shows “Off.”
Optional: Remove device from your Google account. To fully remove the device from your Google account, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account, then tap Security and under “Your devices” select the device and choose Sign out.

Common Mistakes

Not confirming with your password: Some users toggle the switch but don’t complete the password prompt, so the feature stays active.
Turning off only location access: Disabling location services is not the same as deactivating Find My Device. You must turn off the Find My Device toggle specifically.
Forgetting to remove the device from your Google account: Even if you deactivate the app, the device may still appear in your Google account’s device list.
Assuming factory reset deactivates it: A factory reset does not turn off Find My Device before the reset; you need to deactivate it first, otherwise the device may remain linked to your account.

Tips

If you’re selling or giving away the device, always deactivate Find My Device and then do a factory reset. This prevents the new owner from being locked out.
To quickly check if Find My Device is still active, visit google.com/android/find on any browser and see if your device appears.
If you have multiple devices, repeat the steps for each one.
Keep your Google account password handy; you’ll need it to confirm the change.

Troubleshooting

Option is grayed out or can’t be toggled: This usually happens when your device is managed by an employer or school (MDM). Contact your IT administrator. If it’s a personal device, try restarting the phone and updating Google Play Services.

Password prompt doesn’t appear: Make sure you’re connected to the internet. If the prompt still doesn’t show, force-close the Settings app (Settings > Apps > Settings > Force stop) and try again.

Find My Device still shows the device after deactivation: Wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If it persists, sign out of your Google account on the device, then sign back in, and check again.

Device is lost and you want to deactivate it remotely: You cannot deactivate Find My Device remotely without the phone. However, you can use the Find My Device website to erase the device, which will remove it from your account after the next internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will deactivating Find My Device disable my Google account?
A: No, it only disables the remote locate and erase feature for that specific device. Your Google account remains active.

Q: Can I reactivate Find My Device later?
A: Yes, simply go back to Settings > Security > Find My Device and toggle it on. You may need to enter your Google password.

Q: Does deactivating Find My Device remove my device from Google’s servers?
A: It stops the device from being tracked, but the device may still appear in your Google account’s device list until you remove it manually.

Q: What happens if I forget to deactivate before a factory reset?
A: The device will still be tied to your Google account, and the new user may be prompted for your credentials. You can remove the device from your Google account online after the reset.

Q: Is Find My Device the same as Android Device Manager?
A: Yes, Android Device Manager was renamed to Find My Device in 2017. The steps are the same.

Q: Does deactivating affect other Google services like Google Maps location history?
A: No, location history is a separate setting. Deactivating Find My Device only affects the remote locate and erase feature.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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