How to Track and Find Google Pixel and Pixel XL

Losing a phone is stressful, especially when it holds your photos, messages, and two-factor authentication codes. This guide walks you through the built-in tracking tools for the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL, plus a few extra steps to improve your chances of recovery. You’ll need your Google account credentials and access to a web browser or another Android device.

What You’ll Need

• Your Google account email and password (the one set up on the Pixel).
• A computer, tablet, or another phone with an internet browser.
• The phone must be powered on and connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for live tracking.
• Location services must be enabled on the phone (this is usually on by default).
• If the phone is off, you’ll still be able to see its last known location, but not live updates.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Find My Device in a browser. On any device, go to google.com/android/find. Sign in with the same Google account that is linked to your Pixel or Pixel XL. If you have multiple accounts, make sure you select the correct one.
2. Select your Pixel from the list. The page will show a drop-down menu at the top (or a list of devices). Choose your Pixel or Pixel XL. If you have more than one device, pick the one you lost.
3. Check the map and status. The map will show the phone’s approximate location. Under the device name, you’ll see one of these statuses:
   • Locating… – The system is trying to ping the phone.
   • Last seen today at [time] – The phone was online recently, and the location shown is from that time.
   • Offline – The phone is powered off, has no internet connection, or has been reset. You’ll only see the last known location, if available.
4. Use the three options. On the left side of the screen (or below the map on mobile), you’ll see three buttons:
   • Play Sound: This makes the phone ring at full volume for about 5 minutes, even if it’s set to silent or vibrate. Use this if you think the phone is nearby (under a couch cushion, in a car).
   • Secure Device: This locks the phone with a PIN or password (if you don’t have one set, it will ask you to create one). You can also add a message and a contact number to show on the lock screen, like “Please call 555-1234.”
   • Erase Device: This wipes all data from the phone. Use this only as a last resort, because after erasing you can no longer track it. If you have Google backup enabled, you can restore most data on a new phone later.
5. If the phone is offline, enable “Notify when found.” When you select the device and it’s offline, you’ll see an option to get an email notification when the phone comes back online. Click it, and you’ll be alerted if the phone connects to the internet later.
6. Use Google Maps as a backup. If Find My Device isn’t working, open Google Maps on any device, tap your profile picture, and select “Location sharing” or “Timeline.” If location history was enabled, you can see the phone’s past locations, which might help you retrace steps.
7. Call your phone. If you have another phone, call your Pixel. Even if it’s on silent, some carriers will still show the call on the screen. This can help if someone finds it and answers.

Common Mistakes

• Signing in with the wrong account. The Pixel might be linked to a work or secondary Google account. Try all accounts you use.
• Assuming the phone is online. If the phone is off or in airplane mode, you won’t see live location. The last known location might be hours or days old.
• Using the wrong Find My Device site. There are third-party sites that look official. Always use the direct URL google.com/android/find.
• Erasing the phone too early. Once you erase, you lose the ability to track. Only erase if you’ve given up hope of recovery or if the data is more sensitive than the device.
• Not enabling location services beforehand. If location is off, Find My Device can’t get a precise location. You can still ring the phone, but the map won’t show where it is.

Tips

• Set a lock screen message before you lose it. Go to Settings > Security > Screen lock > Lock screen message, and add an alternate phone number or email. This way, if someone finds your phone, they can contact you without unlocking it.
• Keep location and Wi-Fi on. The phone needs both to be tracked accurately. Turning off Wi-Fi can make location less precise, especially indoors.
• Use two-step verification for your Google account. If someone steals your phone, they might try to access your Google account. Two-factor adds a layer of security.
• Take a screenshot of the Find My Device page. If you see the phone’s location, screenshot it. The location might change or the phone might go offline, and you’ll have a record.
• Check your Google Timeline. If you have location history enabled, you can see a detailed map of where the phone has been. This can help you figure out where you left it.

Troubleshooting

• Find My Device says “Can’t reach device.” This usually means the phone is off, out of battery, or not connected to the internet. Try again in a few hours. If the phone is in a dead zone, it might come online later.
• The location is wrong. The map might show a general area, not the exact spot. Wi-Fi and GPS can be inaccurate indoors or in dense urban areas. Try zooming in and looking for nearby landmarks.
• You don’t see the “Play Sound” button. This button only appears when the phone is online. If it’s offline, you’ll only see “Secure Device” and “Erase Device” (and they may be greyed out).
• You can’t sign in to Find My Device. Make sure you’re using the correct Google account. If you have two-step verification, you’ll need to complete that step. If you’ve forgotten your password, use Google’s account recovery process.
• The phone was reset to factory settings. If someone wiped the phone, Find My Device will no longer work, and the phone will be unlinked from your account. You won’t be able to track it anymore. However, if the person sets it up with their own Google account, it may trigger FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which asks for your original Google credentials. This can make the phone unusable for them, but you still won’t get it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my Pixel if it’s turned off?
No, you can’t get a live location if the phone is off. You’ll only see the last known location from when it was last online. You can set up “Notify when found” to get an email if it comes back online.

Does Find My Device work if the phone is on silent?
Yes, the “Play Sound” feature will ring the phone at full volume even if it’s set to silent or vibrate. It works as long as the phone is online.

Can I track my Pixel using just the IMEI number?
No, the IMEI is not used by Google’s Find My Device. Carriers and law enforcement can use it, but you can’t track it yourself with just the IMEI.

What if I never enabled location services on my Pixel?
If location services were off, the phone can still be rung, but the map won’t show a precise location. You might see a very broad area based on Wi-Fi or cell towers, or nothing at all.

Will erasing my Pixel remove it from my Google account?
Yes, after you erase the device, it will be removed from your account and you won’t be able to track it. Make sure you’ve backed up important data before erasing.

Can I use Find My Device on another Android phone?
Yes, you can open a browser on any Android phone and go to google.com/android/find. You can also install the “Find My Device” app from the Play Store on another Android device.

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