The Android operating system is now considered the best mobile OS used on smartphones and tablets. Android-powered smartphones and tablets are widely-accepted by consumers since they offer security and first-class features and are user-friendly.
This popularity has resulted to the continuous development of Android applications that have become available at the Apps Market. These applications include games, multi-media players, security, and anti-virus applications.
A number of applications are available at the Android market that will allow users to track down a stolen or lost Android-powered device. Some of these anti-theft Android applications that allow users to track down lost Android-powered smartphones of tablets are as follows:
Where’s My Droid
The Where’s My Droid android application will allow users to pinpoint the location of their smartphone. Once installed, the application will allow users to send a code to make the smartphone ring if in case it gets lost. This works even if the device is on silent mode. Another code will give users the GPS location of the lost smartphone. It also has a Commander option that allows users to control the device remotely. The Pro version of the application gives users the capability of remotely locking and wiping the smartphone as well as take pictures of the person who stole the phone.
Plan B
Plan B is a lifesaving application for users who were not able to install tracking applications on the smartphones before they were stolen. The application utilizes cell towers and GPS to pinpoint the location of the device. Once the location is found, it will send an email to the Gmail account of the owner indicating the location of the device.
Plan B is also capable of enabling the GPS feature of a smartphone and provide updates on its location at ten-minute intervals. Users can text “location” to the missing device if it does not come with a GPS feature. The application will email the location of the device to the user.
Android Lost
Android Lost is an application that allows users to remotely control their Android-powered devices. Aside from providing the location of the device, the application will also annoy the thief through an alarm. The alarm can be remotely triggered by the user. The application can also allow users to remotely disable or enable the GPS, Wi-Fi and data features, wipe the SD card and retrieve the latest call list.
The application will also inform the user if the SIM card of the smartphone is changed. It also provides users the capability of taking pictures using the front and rear camera of the Android device.
AntiTheftDroid
AntiTheftDroid is a simple yet powerful application that allows users to locate their Android device through GPS. It also allows them to monitor modifications on the SIM card and view images taken using the device. All of these are done through the internet. It can also activate the Audible Fire Alarm that can only be stopped by using a password. The application can also be remotely shown or hidden from the main app list.
Prey Anti-Theft
The Prey Anti-Theft application is among the most downloaded security application in the market. It provides users with the capability of tracking a missing Android-powered smartphone or tablet. It can send the GPS and Wi-Fi Geo-Location of the missing device if it gets lost. The application allows users to remotely lock the device
It can be activated by simply sending a “GO PREY” text message to the smartphone. This will allow users to log into the control panel of the application and allow them to control the device. It will also mark the device as “Missing.” Once this is done, users will receive notices about the missing device. The application is hidden and cannot be uninstalled without using a password.
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Cerberus Anti-Theft
The Cerberus Anti-Theft application offers full protection to an Android-powered smartphone or tablet. It allows users to recover their missing device through the Cerberus Web Account, SMS, and by sending the user an alert once an unauthorized SIM card is used on the device.
Among the features of this Android application are its remote alarm trigger, GPS tracking, remote SD card swiping, remote and phone locking. It also allows users to record audio using a microphone.
Find My Phone
The Find My Phone application is simple Android application that allows users to monitor their smartphone using GPS. A number of mobile networks are supported by this application. Once it is activated and access from another Android-powered smartphone is authenticated, users can start tracking a missing smartphone.
It will allow users to locate missing smartphones, find friends, track family members, find each other while on trips, locate children or spouse, monitor the children every day or while they are in a mall, or simply allow the user to know the location of someone.
Beacon
Beacon is a light-weighted and free android app. The app doesn’t put any negative effect to your Android device. Beacon lets you to Track Phone’s Location, Remote Lock, Remote Rumble your device. With help of this app you can manage multiple devices with one account.
Lookout Security
Lookout Security App is basically a full protection app for your Android device. Along with basic or advanced level protection of your phone from malware, viruses, suspicious programs, harmful websites, it offers “Find My Phone” feature to track your lost Android device. Just Login to your Lookout account and from there you can handle all the things and track your lost phone. The app lets your activate your phone’s GPS Remotely. You can track your phone from its location on Google Maps.
Anti-Theft Alarm
Anti-Theft Alarm is perfect to keep burglars away from your phone. You just have to activate the alarm and leave your phone on the table or wherever. If someone moves your phone an alarm will sound. It can only be stopped if you enter the PIN, so the burglars or curious friends won’t be able to stop it. This app is very useful to keep your kids away from your phone.
McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee Mobile Security protects your Android phone or tablet with award winning antivirus, privacy and security software. With this app you can lock the device to prevent misuse of your phone and personal info by remotely locking all data, including data on your SD card. Also it is possible to find your device if it is lost or stolen. View its location on a map; send a text to prompt its return.
Kaspersky Mobile Security
Kaspersky Mobile Security delivers the latest security technologies to protect Android smartphones from viruses, Internet threats, phishing sites, spyware and spam. It includes easy-to-use, advanced privacy features and – if your phone is lost or stolen – you can remotely protect your data and find the location of your missing phone.
AVG AntiVirus
With the AVG AntiVirus android app you’ll receive not only an effective, easy-to-use virus and malware protection, but also a real-time app scanner, phone locator, task killer, app locker, and local device wipe to help shield you from threats to your privacy and online identity. Real-time security scanner protection keeps you protected from downloaded apps and games.
SeekDroid Find My Phone
Find My Phone by SeekDroid app offers a number of standard features such as remote swiping and locking, SMS activation, ring alert while in silent mode, GPS-enabling, and hide from view option. Users can also recover recent call logs, which is possible even if the SIM card is not inside the device.
The Pro account of the application provides users with the capability of monitoring the movements of stolen devices using a history map. This will allow users to know where the device is going. It also provides protection for a number of devices and sends notifications whenever the devices go beyond a certain location.
Phone Locator
The phone locator app is a anti theft application that provides users with the capability for specific location of the device through its integrated GPS feature. This will facilitate the easy location of the device. The application also provides remote data wiping and phone locking features to guarantee the safety of personal information inside the smartphone. These features provide users peace of mind in case their Android-powered devices are stolen or missing.
A number of security applications are available at the Android Store. These applications allow users to track down a missing or stolen Android-powered device. However, the applications listed above are considered as the best and most user-friendly applications that offer a number of remarkable features.