LIFE HACK: Device Manager for Android

Android users should know about device manager, which can be found at https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager, and allows you to locate your phone through a browser. Accurate to within a few meters (as long as the handset is powered up [edit: and it seems from a couple of people’s feedback as long as you’re in an area of good coverage]), you can ask the dashboard to ‘ring’ your device making it easier to find it when it has slid down the back of the sofa. Another great security feature added a few months back is ‘remote screen lock and restore factory settings’ for the worst case scenario – you DID back up all those contacts, right? And if your phone is already rammed full with derivations of Flappy Bird and videos of your kids being really cute, don’t worry; there is nothing to install here.You can activate the device manager through any browser by asking it to ping your device with a notification. Once accepted you’re set, and can lose your smartphone with absolute impunity (as long as you are backed up are fully insured).