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."

[Q] Location Service when Lost

What is the best app to track your phone after it has been stolen or lost?
I was using Wavesecure a couple of months ago, but stopped because my desire isn't worth much now.
But for my brand new One X I think it is a good addon. .
Thanks!

I use PhoneLocatorPro and it's been excellent. Paid app but worth it. Plenty on the market read the reviews for each one.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

A very good one, from the makers of Lookout Mobile Security (which also has tracking ability) is called Plan B.
If your phone is lost or stolen, quickly get to a computer and install Plan B via the marketplace website. It'll install on the phone, turn all radios on and email you location updates every minute for 5 minutes. Works very well.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium

wnp_79 said:
A very good one, from the makers of Lookout Mobile Security (which also has tracking ability) is called Plan B.
If your phone is lost or stolen, quickly get to a computer and install Plan B via the marketplace website. It'll install on the phone, turn all radios on and email you location updates every minute for 5 minutes. Works very well.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is basicly a backup plan? I have been using Lookout aswell, but it isn't good anymore?

Dont forget the Avast one , free, and if you have root, it survives to hard reset and i believe even to custom roms flashing.
you may locate, lock, erase, make a siren shouting, it sends the last sms/call history
of any non approuved sim card inserted so on

I use Anti Theft Pro
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oneos.antitheft&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5vbmVvcy5hbnRpdGhlZnQiXQ..
Gots lots of options even in free version (if u want to enable commands through mail you have to get the pro version though)

Best security app ever for the Nexus 7

Sorry for the shameless self promotion. But my Security app Root Defense has been thoroughly tested on the Nexus 7 and unlike any other security app out there, it will allow you to continue to track your phone even if it gets wiped or a hard-reset by a thief.
It's almost impossible to lose your phone and it's completely free.
It requires that your phone be rooted (as most peoples are on XDA)
Please try it out and rate and comment on Google Play if you like it.
The Google Play page can be found here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unfairware.rootdefense&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS51bmZhaXJ3YXJlLnJvb3RkZWZlbnNlIl0.
The XDA homepage can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775488

chetstriker said:
Sorry for the shameless self promotion. But my Security app Root Defense has been thoroughly tested on the Nexus 7 and unlike any other security app out there, it will allow you to continue to track your phone even if it gets wiped or a hard-reset by a thief.
It's almost impossible to lose your phone and it's completely free.
It requires that your phone be rooted (as most peoples are on XDA)
Please try it out and rate and comment on Google Play if you like it.
The Google Play page can be found here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unfairware.rootdefense&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS51bmZhaXJ3YXJlLnJvb3RkZWZlbnNlIl0.
The XDA homepage can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775488
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it try to connect to every available wifi network around it? Like if it's not connected after being stolen and detects a wifi network will it connect to it and send data?

atticusmas said:
Does it try to connect to every available wifi network around it? Like if it's not connected after being stolen and detects a wifi network will it connect to it and send data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but thanks for the suggestion. It currently caches data offline and as soon as a WiFi or cellular connection is made, the application uploads the data.

This is fantastic
Would it be possible to log which apps are used on the device?
I'm currently trialling Airwatch for a project I'm working on for a fleet of phones and tablets. From what I've tested so far, I'd like to recommend a switch to your solution.

Looks pretty cool. I just bought Cerberus, but would give this a go if I hadn't done that.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I'm still a fan of lookout
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

This looks very impressive!

What I want to know is HOW does it work??
Billy
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

looks like a good product. Will give it a try. Contrary to what you have said, other apps CAN survive a system reset or wipe of the phone. you can also embed Cerberus in the rom so that it survives a system reset and you can also hide it and make it look like a system app in the tasks list.
What i like about this product though is how it can track calls, and sms etc. Though this does obviously raise some privacy concerns with all this info being stored on a third party server.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 AM ----------
Jeepfreak, It embeds itself in the system so that it is treated as if it is a program that came with the phone or tablet. In effect, it injects itself into the rom of the phone (hence the need do root to install). this way out will still be they if you reset the phone.it will not survive the rom being replaced though i assume, which is the same limitation on other apps of this type.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Im a fan of lookout, had no problems but my trial is running out and not sure how good the free version is.

uberNoobZA said:
does obviously raise some privacy concerns with all this info being stored on a third party server
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather have my device stolen and wiped than trust a third party.
At £200 the N7 is almost disposable.

Looked at the title and thought... Avast... happy with it, and have no plans on losing something this big. I have mine in an auto on/off case. If the secret code isn't entered in 15 seconds, my N7 starts smoking and disintegrates.

New version just released, check our main thread for details.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775488
Version 3.1 released!
Change log includes:
* Fix for calls not being recorded bug
* Fix for auto-update can cause auto-uninstall of itself.
* Fix for phones not attaching after install
To ensure your auto-updater is working probably and you weren't affected by the auto-uninstall of program from update bug, please download the latest version from our first post or directly from the market.

Cerberus does the same and has longer history.....so many features....

maysider said:
Cerberus does the same and has longer history.....so many features....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesn't, Cerberus tries to save money by not having a database store your information. This is one of the major differences.
What this means to the end user is the following:
If your battery is dead or the phone is off, you cannot see where your phone was a little while ago or see any of your logs. The map will show the location of the last time you manually told it to check and logs will only pull if the device is on.
Root Defense Keeps a copy online and automatically updates background info. This means you'll be able to see where it was right before the battery died or was turned off. Also, all the logs would still be available to look at.
Another major difference is that Cerberus only sends a copy of your SMS or calls logs where Root Defense records them in real time. This is pretty major because if I have Cerberus on my kids phone and they call or text someone they shouldn't, they just have to delete the message of call log and Cerberus would never know. With Root Defense logs can't be wiped.

This is useless, unless your N7 is taken back to a wifi hotspot you have previously allowed it's not going to report back.
Nice idea but only useful for phones
If I stole a N7 the first thing I would do is wipe the rom.
This will only catch a complete idiot and you would be one too for letting your N7 out of your sight.
No security software of this type will be any good unless CWM finally gets password locking.
Shame on the OP for spamming his app when he's already got a dedicated thread for it.

hoosbude said:
This is useless, unless your N7 is taken back to a wifi hotspot you have previously allowed it's not going to report back.
Nice idea but only useful for phones
If I stole a N7 the first thing I would do is wipe the rom.
This will only catch a complete idiot and you would be one too for letting your N7 out of your sight.
No security software of this type will be any good unless CWM finally gets password locking.
Shame on the OP for spamming his app when he's already got a dedicated thread for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is pretty harsh, the OP can post anywhere it is appropriate.. and this is one of those places. Also, you overestimate the intelligence of criminals- half of the people on XDA can't flash a rom, why would a random criminal know how? How to go into settings and perform a full wipe maybe.. but that would leave the software on the device.
Eventually they will connect to internet.

Cerberus and avast (and other apps I am sure) can also survive wipe / hard reset. As long as the rom is not flashed, the app stays installed. Cerberus stores very little data which is why it has a once off cost only.
Different pricing models provide different services. At their core, all of these types of apps do pretty much the same thing, but let's try and stick to the facts when saying which can and which can't do things.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Phone randomly/spontaneously did a hard reset/wipe!?! Help!

So I left the office to walk to the train station, with my phone in my pocket. The phone is completely stock, unrooted, with a pin lock screen, per corporate IT standards.
I pull out my phone at the train station, and notice it is rebooting. Weird, I think, but it's happened before so I didn't think much of it. But when it finishes booting up, I notice that the lock screen is different with no pin pad. I unlock, and see that the phone has done a hard reset, and wiped everything. I have now lost a bunch of important text messages and call logs, as well as all my settings.
I am beyond livid right now, and honestly feel like ripping someone at Samsung and/or Sprint's head off.
That being said, I am afraid to touch anything, in case there is a way to undo this. I tried doing some searching, but couldn't come up with anyone with the same issue on this phone.
Can anyone speak to why this happened and if I'm totally screwed?

sometimes when phones are stolen the original user if they have the right apps installed they can do a remote wipe.... although I have no explanation of what happen to your phone though
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

im0rtalz said:
sometimes when phones are stolen the original user if they have the right apps installed they can do a remote wipe.... although I have no explanation of what happen to your phone though
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I bought this phone directly from a Sprint store, so can't imagine that would be it... I thought maybe for some reason the Good app (what I use for work) could have been used to initiate a remote wipe, but there's no good reason that tech would have done that without consulting me.

Chief85 said:
Well I bought this phone directly from a Sprint store, so can't imagine that would be it... I thought maybe for some reason the Good app (what I use for work) could have been used to initiate a remote wipe, but there's no good reason that tech would have done that without consulting me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check with your IT folks and make you're an isolated case. If you are, then they, or Sprint need to provide an answer.
We set those permissions on personal devices (not company owned) , and if the user agrees to access company resources, and if you haven't subscribed or installed a third party app for your own protection, then it narrows it down.
There are documented restarts on the Sprint active issues page but not seeing any hard resets on its own..

MoHoGalore said:
Check with your IT folks and make you're an isolated case. If you are, then they, or Sprint need to provide an answer.
We set those permissions on personal devices (not company owned) , and if the user agrees to access company resources, and if you haven't subscribed or installed a third party app for your own protection, then it narrows it down.
There are documented restarts on the Sprint active issues page but not seeing any hard resets on its own..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just gave them a ring, and they said that absent me reporting the phone stolen/missing, or termination of employment, they would never initiate a remote wipe without first consulting me. God help the Sprint person that has to deal with me in 5 minutes.

you could have a bug in your software do a factory reset.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------
no way you could bring it back unless you had software backuping to your sd card or a server. So start using something like evernote and dropbox and ect..... .
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
actually if your sms were being stored on your internal storage you might be able to retrieve it with sms recovery for windows

Security Apps

I recently thought I had lost my phone but I had just misplaced it at home. Because I had powered it off I was unable to locate it by making it ring and I thought it had been stolen.
Unfortunately, I hadn't set a lockscreen pin or installed a security app to help locate and control my phone remotely so my phone was totally unprepared for the situation.
I hurridly set about changing sensitive passwords using my laptop then I tried to remotely install a security app called "Android Lost" and when I eventually found my phone the app was automatically installed but did not work because it needs to be run and activated.
So, I have learned my lesson from this experience and I have now set a lockscreen password PIN and installed and registered "Android Lost".
Now if I really lose my phone I am not completely helpless and I will not power it off unless it is on charge.
I hope my experience acts as a warning to others who have not taken phone security precautions.

Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.

I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your informative reply. I've switched from "Android Lost" to Cerberus which looks better.

Cerebus, Android lost or where's my droid?

I tried Cerberus because of all the positive comments I had seen on xda. I can personally say it is by far the best one out there. I've used seek droid, where's my droid and nearly all of them but Cerberus just seems to do more
Sent from my Nexus 4

ltylty123 said:
I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plan B doesn't work on 4.0+
I use Cerberus.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I use Cerberus as well (got it for free quite some time back when the developer was having a "free for life" weekend special). Also, it's worth mentioning that once bought you can use it on up to 5 devices (which is great if you have multiple phones).
In addition to doing what is quoted above it also lets you do all kinds of things in the web interface. From locking the SIM to tracking the phone's location over a given time period to being able to pull up call and text logs. All of that in addition to the usual features of locating your phone (via GPS) and setting off an alarm (that is insanely, and occasionally scary, loud).
I highly recommend it to my friends and family members. Definitely think you should give it a go. If I hadn't gotten it for free I would gladly have paid for it. Never had to use it (beyond showing off its capabilities to people looking for a security app), but it gives me peace of mind knowing it just works (and does so after ROM flashing).
Also, if you have root and enable it as a device administrator it'll do quite a bit more. From locking your phone to remote wipes to uninstallation protection (of course a complete wipe from recovery will beat that, but there's only so much you can do or not do in that case).

I like the way Cerberus can take a picture of someone trying to crack the lock screen pin and email it. I wonder how difficult it is to get past a screen lock pin?

How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost no impact at all

Anyone using avast?

I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No impact at all. Since the app doesn't run until you manually send commands from the web interface. And even then the app doesn't really "run" per se. There's no visibility at all it's even there, minus the icon in the app drawer. (And you can even hide the app and make it so it's only accessible by dialing a certain code from the phone dialer.)

i want to install these 'lost my phone' apps but dont they really drain the battery and you have to turn on gps and location settings on? also if the thief who steals your phone will read up on how to reflash and wipe the phone? it will render these apps useless

I've been using Cerberus for some time now and it's absolutely perfect! Every part of it functions just as it's intended to and the app has practically no impact on battery life. Great stuff!

elbel86 said:
I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using prey, but thanks to this thread I just switched to Cerberus - much better deal, interface, and functionality - plus a couple extra features if rooted. Totally worth the USD4.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium