Develop Bugs

[Q] Best app to track lost phone?

Hi Guys,
I wanted to know what any of you find to be the best app to find a lost phone. I wanted to know what the best app is to date since things can change over time, and I havent used this type of service for over a year. Some features I'd like are GPS tracking but little to no battery drain, and the ability to sound an alert even when the phone is silent or on vibrate. Thanks for any and all input.

Just me but I use the one that comes with 'Kaprasky Security', it is very accurate in my country of Canada so just try that or wait for other responses
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using xda premium

Cerberus is by far the best.

This is what I use and is the best and has lots features highly recommend.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.myboyfriendisageek.gotya
Sent from my GNex {GSM} T-Mobile

RogerPodacter said:
Cerberus is by far the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. No monthly or annual fees. Just pay $4 one time and it covers up to 5 devices.
Here's some of the features:
It has three ways to protect your device:
- Remote control through the website www.cerberusapp.com
- Remote control via text messages
- SIM Checker (for devices that have a SIM card): you will automatically receive alerts if someone uses your phone with an unauthorized SIM card
Remote control allows you to perform many operations on your device, like:
- Locate and track it
- Start a loud alarm, even if the device is set to silent mode
- Wipe the internal memory and the SD card
- Hide Cerberus from the app drawer
- Lock the device with a code
- Record audio from the microphone
- Get a list of last calls sent and received
- Get information about network and operator the device is connected to
- And much more!
Cerberus automatically enables GPS if it is off when you try to localize your device (only on Android < 2.3.3) and you can protect it from unauthorized uninstalling - more info in the app configuration.
The app works even if the device does not have an internet connection thanks to remote control by sms messages. Also, the SIM Checker feature allows you to know the new number to send texts to, if the SIM card is changed. Texts received and sent for Cerberus remote control will not start any notification and will not appear in the Messages application.
Cerberus does not drain the battery because there is no background service running: it will activate only if there is a remote control request and will stop afterwards.
More features for rooted devices: complete uninstall protection (a thief will be able to delete Cerberus only by flashing another ROM), GPS auto-enabling even on Android > 2.3.3. More info on the website in the Help section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check it out.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5sc2Ryb2lkLmNlcmJlcnVzIl0.

ddpacino said:
Hi Guys,
I wanted to know what any of you find to be the best app to find a lost phone. I wanted to know what the best app is to date since things can change over time, and I havent used this type of service for over a year. Some features I'd like are GPS tracking but little to no battery drain, and the ability to sound an alert even when the phone is silent or on vibrate. Thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Lost can do everything you want and more. Best of all, no fees!

GreatBigDog said:
Android Lost can do everything you want and more. Best of all, no fees!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used that to find my wife's phone. Did a remote install too as I didn't have it on the device. .. Amazing.
I've heard a lot about Cerberus, but it needs to always be running on your device from what I can see. Can you remote install and configure it only when you need it? If not, that's a pretty dangerous app to allow basically all functions of your phone to be accessed online...

I use avast! Mobile Security. You can install the application and then enable Anti-Theft. Once it's set-up and installed, you can uninstall avast! Mobile Security. (I'm unable to provide links, but they have a webpage that describes the necessary steps better.)
You can then use a bunch of different commands via text message to locate/lock/unlock/etc. your phone. You can specify two phone numbers to be the only phones that can communicate with your device, or you can leave it open. (Commands sent to your device must contain your pin code and then the command.)
The FAQ for the app says it does not run in the background and is only activated when a text command is sent to the phone. (I think this program only works if you're able to receive text messages to your actual number. Not via Google Voice.)

avast mobile security is awesome!

I use cerberus...they have features such a remote recording of video and audio which I don't think is available on SeekDroid which I was on before
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I've tried Lookout mobile security, but like Prey a bit better

Another vote for androidlost here!

Phonelocator pro hands down beats them all - check it out
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rvo.plpro
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

ddpacino said:
Hi Guys,
I wanted to know what any of you find to be the best app to find a lost phone. I wanted to know what the best app is to date since things can change over time, and I havent used this type of service for over a year. Some features I'd like are GPS tracking but little to no battery drain, and the ability to sound an alert even when the phone is silent or on vibrate. Thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy a ball of yarn at the hardware store for a few cents. Tie one end to the phone, one end to your wrist.
Never lose the phone.

Avast can get location even if GPS, wifi, mobile data and location service are turned off, if you are rooted. Cerberus can't.

B1ny said:
Avast can get location even if GPS, wifi, mobile data and location service are turned off, if you are rooted. Cerberus can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure if you allow Cerberus administrator privileges, it can turn on GPS/Wifi/Data on by command...

Pretty sure it can't.
anton2009 said:
Pretty sure if you allow Cerberus administrator privileges, it can turn on GPS/Wifi/Data on by command...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

B1ny said:
Pretty sure it can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay... I just tested it now with Cerberus dashboard (online website where you can send commands from) with my phone unlocked right in front of me. Sent command "start tracking" and saw with my own eyes the WIFI and GPS toggles go from OFF to ON. Wifi and GPS still on... Sent command "stop tracking" and WIFI and GPS toggles went from ON to OFF.
---Edit---
Sorry, I was wrong about the administrator privileges, by enabling that, it will allow you to erase your data/sd card remotely. To get WIFI and GPS to turn on when you send the tracking command, you have to push Cerberus to /system/app

I see a flaw in all of this:
Factory reset = GG

convolution said:
I see a flaw in all of this:
Factory reset = GG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cerberus help page, and I quote:
"I have a rooted device. Can I get additional features?
Yes! If you have rooted your device you can integrate Cerberus into your ROM and get two additional features: complete uninstall protection (Cerberus will even survive a wipe/factory reset) and GPS auto-enabling even on Android 2.3.3 and later. To have these features uninstall Cerberus, then download cerberus.zip, put it on the sd card and install it from recovery. Cerberus is also available on ROM Manager."
Taken from avast! Mobile Security app page, and I quote:
"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."

Absolute Protection?

Hello guys I would like to ask if there is any way to "disable" recovery flashing and wipe as well as the download mode in my new Note II. The reason is that I have installed cerberus and i would like to stop the thief from flashing another rom and loose protection. If there is not any way to disable it please tell me a way that will be very difficult to do so. Thanks in advance.

Nope ... just like Apple ... even with passcode lock someone can still restore stock using DFU mode(Apple) and Download mode(Samsung)
The passcode locks are to prevent your data at best not the phone

If i format the recovery partition? Or destroy some recovery files?

dont try to be foolish..dont meddle without proof............why are you so sure that your phone will get stolen?

download mode is 2 steps after phone boots.
1st - power is initialized and the super base of the phone calls boot loader
2nd- boot loader loads the download mode.
so it's absolute base.
if you disable download mode, you won't be able to root/unroot/your company won't be able to give you any service etc.
don't be assured that your phone will be lost.
rather setup mobile tracker, which may still be deleted if the thief is super intelligent to factory reset it.
if you are very freaking insane about this, embed the app into system. which may still be deleted.

:/
UtkarshGupta said:
download mode is 2 steps after phone boots.
1st - power is initialized and the super base of the phone calls boot loader
2nd- boot loader loads the download mode.
so it's absolute base.
if you disable download mode, you won't be able to root/unroot/your company won't be able to give you any service etc.
don't be assured that your phone will be lost.
rather setup mobile tracker, which may still be deleted if the thief is super intelligent to factory reset it.
if you are very freaking insane about this, embed the app into system. which may still be deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am almost sure that my phone will be stolen cause i am 16 years old and 2 of my friends' phones got stolen as well as my bike You will say "Why did you bought suck an expensive phone?". The answer is that i cannot live without high technology, as soon as there is a new exciting thing in the market i wanna buy it. Anyway, I hope that I will be lucky and if my phone get stolen, the thief will not be expert. I have cerberus, the hidden version.:good:

If that is the case you should get pink phones and insurance. Yeah it may suck having a pink phone and getting made fun of but less likely to be desirable. And then of course insurance to mitigate cost of replacements.
Sent from my GT-N7100

If you are American buy a gun and have it with you. If someone comes to rob you, just shoot the bastard.
Anyway. You can setup Cerberus to take photos with the front cam also.
Abd just do not sgow off with phone in hand in bad neighbourhoods
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

Go for "where's my droid" application
Inviato dal mio GT-N7100 con Tapatalk 2

In security settings, you can crypt your device and your external SD card, if your phone is stolen, no one can steal your data.
You have also a SamsungDive account to track and make your device ring, you need wifi or 3g activated in order for this function to work.
I agree that a password protected recovery is a very good idea.

Too bad that this thread doesn't generate more interest. All these "security" apps(find my droid/cerberus etc..) are basically useless as everybody who steals phones will wipe them right away. Having a password recovery and download mode would be the ultimate protection and could even discourage theft from attempting to steal.

Some security apps are stored in /system and survive a wipe (but not an ODIN flash).
Why no more interest in "absolute protection" :
- thieves won't give you back your phone even if it is unuseable, and they can still sell it for parts
- mess up, forget the password => brick
- whatever your local repair shop can do to restore your phone, bad guys can do it too
If you are so sure your phone will get stolen, get insurance.

Password protected CWM and TWRP

If your device gets stolen or lost it sure would be nice to have recovery password protected to stop a quick factory reset or rom flash.
Has anyone seen this done?
This could help preserve security software for as long as possible to assist in locating the phone
Having the Power Off/Reboot password protected could also buy some time if the back cover was glued on
I'm using cerberus but it didnt survive a dirty flash from jediX7.2 -----jediX8. This was with cerberus_disguised-ICS.zip rooted running in admin mode.
But none of this software will work if they pop the sim or batt out. Hence the glued on cover. But the power off/reboot would need to be password protected.
I can buy a new back cover for $10 after I break it to take it off. A lot more for a new phone.
Reason I bring this up, just yesterday my bud sat on a couch in a mall. Phone fell out there. Realized it 2min later and called his number but it was off already

I doubt it's possible to prevent thieves from using Odin anyway. There is a way to encrypt the phone to make one unable to enter recovery, at least it was on my sgs, but it still won't prevent the phone from being recognized on Odin.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

In regards to your mates mobile if a factory reset was not done maybe he could try to install 'plan b' by lookout mobile security from the app store to locate his phone.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium

I've tried plan b on a note 2, S3 ,s2x and galaxy tab7. All installed remotely but none sent an email to me.(even with texting "locate") Thank you for the suggestion but not much faith in that one at this point. ( although we did send that app to his phone)

Never really thought of that... With all the security features that could be enabled on the OS it seems pretty easy to just access recovery mode and format. I figured it would've been figured out by now and a solution would've been available. would be nice to have an option to set a Security pin on the recovery and download mode. And that the only way to disable the security pin incase one forgets would be to add a secondary option to unlock.
Sent from the Rabbit Hole

One could still force the phone into download mode with a jig. No way to be 100 percent safe I'm afraid.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Not looking for 100% security. But something better than what is. When you lose the phone it is too easy to shut it off/ factory reset ect.
So I guess what I'm asking is more to the Devs...how hard would it be to password protect the off/recovey option switch in a custom rom? I'm sure the twrp/cwm guys could build a secure version.

Forgive me as I'm still new but is the CWM stored on the same chip as the ROM like on a PC?
Sent from the Rabbit Hole

[Q] I was stolen.. need information

Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card

Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim. You sd card is definitely in danger though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Android The Greek said:
Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim. You sd card is definitely in danger though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how the hell will he do it without accessing the phone?
thanks

You do not need a phone to open a micro sd card. Just an adapter
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Android The Greek said:
You do not need a phone to open a micro sd card. Just an adapter
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the factory reset i meant

That does not touch the micro sd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

you can do that/ factory reset by go to setting and tick factory reset. seriously most every phone has factory reset symbian,brew,android,unown chinese phone. it wipes data and restore the system as if it were new phone
---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------
and you can go to recovery mode to wipe data and cache. or even install custom rom. in samsung by pressing vol up+power+menu in the same time

edgarzin said:
Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your data is almost certainly compromised. As for your phone, make sure you report it stolen. Hopefully you live in one of the countries which respect the IMEI blacklist so the phone will be deactivated.

Android The Greek said:
Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you assume a thief or someone that finds a lost Android phone is also an enthusiast and aware of tracking mechanisms and ways to avoid them? I wouldn't make that assumption and would almost guarantee anyone who finds a lost/stolen phone that doesn't plan to return it is going to go through what's on it. Hopefully what's on OP's phone isn't too compromising.
FloatingFatMan said:
Your data is almost certainly compromised.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^^
This.
Everyone should at a minimum register their Samsung phones with "Find my Mobile" as part of setting them up. If it's out of your possession, even before you decide it's really missing, you can lock it remotely which would prevent it from being hard reset as well as protect your personal information. It also displays a message on the locked home screen which can include a reward and allows the phone to dial out to one number you designate so the person who found it can call you. You can always unlock it if it's returned or do a complete wipe if it's not. Obviously it has to be on a mobile network (not necessarily yours) or Wi-Fi to continue to access it and it has to be charged.

Any data on the sd card will definitely be compromised. What's on the phone is hard to say. If they went into the stock recovery and did a hard reset then it's been wiped. This is the more likely scenario. If they know Android well they can flash a custom recovery and keep the internal data intact while resetting the phone but it's unlikely that a regular thief is going to do that. Most likely they'll just do a normal reset and either sell it or use it.
If you had rooted and installed Cerberus as a system app you'd still have some security under this scenario. It persists over hard resets so you'd still have some control over the device once it gets reconnected to the Internet. They'd have to flash a new firmware or specially delete cerberus from the system directory to get rid of it.
Sent from my GT-N7100

dr.m0x said:
If they know Android well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What percentage of thieves do you think fall in to that category? I'd guess it's not the majority. We on XDA are kind of jaded when it comes to our views on technology in general. I'd bet less than 10% of my friends and acquaintances have the knowledge to hard reset an iOS or Android device unless told to do so by support staff.
In the U.S., a TV network did an expose on TSA (government airport security) workers stealing iPads from security check points. Even after is was on the national news how they used Apple's mobile tracking s/w to find the stolen iPads TSA workers continued to steal them and get caught exactly the same way. An XDA'r that steals phones has skills and knowledge that I'd bet the masses don't come anywhere close to.

dr.m0x said:
Any data on the sd card will definitely be compromised. What's on the phone is hard to say. If they went into the stock recovery and did a hard reset then it's been wiped. This is the more likely scenario. If they know Android well they can flash a custom recovery and keep the internal data intact while resetting the phone but it's unlikely that a regular thief is going to do that. Most likely they'll just do a normal reset and either sell it or use it.
If you had rooted and installed Cerberus as a system app you'd still have some security under this scenario. It persists over hard resets so you'd still have some control over the device once it gets reconnected to the Internet. They'd have to flash a new firmware or specially delete cerberus from the system directory to get rid of it.
Sent from my GT-N7100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are saying that if my device was rooted cerberus would still installed, even after system wipe?

edgarzin said:
You are saying that if my device was rooted cerberus would still installed, even after system wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would, provided it is installed to /system/app.
Sent from my GT-N7100

My friend is a police officer and he said that thieves have found a way to change IMEI. Im trying to track my phone by IMEI.. what are the chances these MF change the IMEI??

dr.m0x said:
Yes it would, provided it is installed to /system/app.
Sent from my GT-N7100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must read XDA more !

edgarzin said:
I must read XDA more !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avast Mobile Security is a free alternative.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

edgarzin said:
Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have sensitive info on your phone and or sd card theres an option under settings/security to encrypt your device and external sd. The encryption will survive a no wipe flash which means it remains safe. If the scum theif wants to use your device he would have to do full wipe which would erase your sensitive data which means no access. This goes for your sd card aswell. You should also let your provider know your phones been stolen and let them block imei rendering the phone useless until with some slight luck you may get it back.
GT N7105 with XDA Premium......that is all......

amerkiller1995 said:
Avast Mobile Security is a free alternative.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avast Anti-Theft just got an update. Now it has two versions Premium and Free
Premium version has some mind blowing features

[email protected] said:
Avast Anti-Theft just got an update. Now it has two versions Premium and Free
Premium version has some mind blowing features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing is that the Premium features are new, all the free features remain free. :laugh:

Since the device is off use SMS commands instead of cerberusapp.com. That way if the sim is changed or when the thief starts up the phone you will be notified and/or will be able to wipe the internal and external storages.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Got Robbed of Note 2

Hi,
Last week my friend was robbed..and that bugger had the guts to snatch his Note 2 from his hand and run away in a moving bus... he had ADM & Kaspersky Security installed. this is how it happened, the incident took place at 9:27 AM he called me immediately and while i logged in on the site and fire the lock and remote wipe commands it was 9:46 AM.. very obviously the bugger had removed the sim immediately so non of the commands were executed and it is highly possible that he will sell it to some local shop who will first flash the mobile before using it..apart from filing a complaint at police station and putting the IMEI number under surveillance which I know is not happening any time soon.
My question is : Is their a way where we can restrict Flashing the mobile with a password..and to unlock the flashing security the mobile needs to be switched on and connected to a network.. this will at least give us some time for remote wipe and location tracking of that thief/ or otherwise at least he will not be able to use the hardware at all.
Thanks in advance

There's no way to locate your phone if its not connected to network and there's no sim card installed. If theif is smart enough, he will first switch it off and take out the sim card. If he's dumb, he will start calling( from your sim with internet connected) his friends that he stole a new phone..lol
And you know, its android. You can reset very easily and flash custom rom in recovery.
This is how I lost my GNote1 while travelling. It bumped out of pocket and fell somewhere. Then I called it from my friends phone and it was switched off. Tried locating but it couldn't locate...
Sent from my JellyKatted Note2

Exactly Manny thats what i am saying...but can we have a way to stop that phone getting flashed ? I mean can we have a recovery mode password or something that way he won't be able to flash any rom on it...if i am not able to use it...that losser has no right to use it as well rght?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

adityaomverma said:
Exactly Manny thats what i am saying...but can we have a way to stop that phone getting flashed ? I mean can we have a recovery mode password or something that way he won't be able to flash any rom on it...if i am not able to use it...that losser has no right to use it as well rght?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way..recovery can't be password protected. If password protection was possible, you should already had it password protected. Since you don't have, its very easy to flash any rom.
Sent from my JellyKatted Note2

mannyvinny said:
There's no way to locate your phone if its not connected to network and there's no sim card installed. If theif is smart enough, he will first switch it off and take out the sim card. If he's dumb, he will start calling( from your sim with internet connected) his friends that he stole a new phone..lol
And you know, its android. You can reset very easily and flash custom rom in recovery.
This is how I lost my GNote1 while travelling. It bumped out of pocket and fell somewhere. Then I called it from my friends phone and it was switched off. Tried locating but it couldn't locate...
Sent from my JellyKatted Note2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly how i lost my Note 1 too.. in a metro

Sadly not I'm afraid- can't protect a recovery in any way as far as I'm aware.

marty141 said:
Sadly not I'm afraid- can't protect a recovery in any way as far as I'm aware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And even if you could, anybody could just flash a new recovery through Odin.