When someone who loses their smartphone manages to get it back, it’s not uncommon to hear them say something along the lines of, “Thank goodness — my life is in there!” It would be accurate to add that, in many cases, access to their company’s entire data stack resides on the device as well.

This is one of the reasons small and medium-sized businesses should be as aware as consumers of geo-tracking solutions like Samsung’s Find My Mobile service. If you don’t have the mobile device management (MDM) tools and other security protocols in place that are typical of a larger enterprise, the Find My Mobile app could offer the peace of mind you need.

According to a survey conducted in 2019 by IDC, 78 percent of business device shipments around the world are based on the Android operating system (OS). A report from Wilson Electronics, meanwhile, shows most American workers spend more than one hour checking their phones during each workday for work-related reasons.

This means that even if you’re a small or medium-sized business, Android devices have become a major platform for running mobile apps that access corporate information and handle critical workflows. It also means that, when those mobile phones go missing, the cost to organizations can be far greater than simply replacing the hardware.

Here’s a rundown on what you need to know about using Samsung’s Find My Mobile service.

What is the Find My Mobile service?

Samsung’s Find My Mobile is a free service that is accessed via your Samsung account and allows you to locate, remotely backup and wipe data on a registered Galaxy mobile device. It can be accessed at findmymobile.samsung.com.

How does it locate my lost or stolen device?

Samsung Find My Mobile uses location information collected by Google as well as data passing through wireless networks in order to identify where a smartphone might have been accidentally left behind or even stolen.

How do I activate Find My Mobile?

Getting started is as simple as a few clicks:

1. On your Galaxy mobile device, open Settings and tap into the “Biometrics and security” menu.
2. From there, tap the “Find My Mobile” option and toggle “on.” You’ll need to enter your Samsung account details, or you can easily create an account if you don’t already have one.
3. You’ll then be given the opportunity to opt in to several features, including “Remote unlock” and “Send last location.” Keep reading for more details on those.

Note that on some mobile carriers, the Google Find My Device service might be offered in place of Samsung Find My Mobile within your Settings menu. With Find My Device, you’ll simply log into your Google account instead. Many of the same features are available on both services.

How do I use Find My Mobile to locate my phone?

Once activated, you can visit the Find My Mobile service on any web browser to locate your Samsung device.

Again, you’ll first log in to your Samsung account. You’ll then see a list of any Samsung devices for which you have activated Find My Mobile.

If your device’s location is found, it will be indicated on the map. You’ll also see the device’s current status, including network connectivity and battery life.

Note that location tracking and other features of Find My Mobile will only work if your lost device is turned on and connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. You should log in as soon as you discover your device is missing to give yourself the best chance of locating it.

What if my battery has died?

If your battery has already died, Find My Mobile won’t be able to identify the current location of your device. However, if you opted in to the “Send last location” feature, your device should have automatically sent its location to the Find My Mobile server when the battery life fell to around 20 percent.

This can be helpful for retrieving a lost device, as long as it is not on the move.

How can I make my muted phone ring?

If you think you have misplaced your phone nearby, you can tap “Ring” within the Find My Mobile service. You device will sound at maximum volume even if it is set to mute or vibrate mode.

Lock screen, prevent power off and show a contact message

If you are concerned your device may have been unlocked, Find My Mobile lets you remotely lock it. You can also prevent others from powering the device off, so that it’s location can still be tracked. In addition, you can have a contact message and phone number appear on the screen so that anyone finding the device can reach you.

What if my device is on the move?

If you think your device might be on the move, select “Track location.” You will then be able to receive an automated update on it’s location every 15 minutes.

How can I back up my data or wipe a lost device?

If you’re unable to retrieve your lost device, you can also try to remotely back up your data. To make use of this service, you should make sure Samsung Cloud is activated on your device. A wide range of data can be backed up to Samsung Cloud and restored when you get a replacement device.

You can also tap “erase” in Find My Mobile to remotely delete all data and perform a factory reset. Before you do this, note that it will also remove your Samsung account from the lost device, so you will not be able to locate it after the reset.

How can I extend the battery life on my lost device?

Find My Mobile also allows you to remotely adjust the power saving settings on your lost phone to extend the battery life. Switch to maximum power saving mode to increase the time your device will stay on so you can locate it.

What if I’m locked out of my device?

Find My Mobile can be useful even when you don’t lose your phone or tablet. If you forget the PIN or password used to unlock the device, you can unlock it through the Find My Mobile service instead. If you want to use this feature, be sure to opt in to “Remote Unlock” when you register your device.

If you lose your device, you’ll want to do everything possible to minimize security risks like data loss or theft. Fortunately, the Find My Mobile service makes this easy. From location tracking and preventing power off to extending the battery life, it gives you the best chance possible of reuniting with your lost device. And, if the phone is found by an innocent stranger, they can see a message letting them know how to reach you.

With more organizations issuing devices to employees through Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs, there may be more employees than ever before asking, “I’ve lost my phone. What do I do?” Samsung’s Find My Mobile service might be the best way for small businesses to answer them.

Get more tips on secure MDM by downloading this free beginner’s guide. Then find out how Samsung Knox is setting a high bar for smartphone security.