If you own an Android device, it is important to set up your Google Account so that you and your phone are protected in the event of an emergency, theft or loss.
Account linked to your phone manufacturer
Your phone manufacturer may offer alternate features to those available in your Google Account.
For example: with a Samsung account you will get the additional options of retrieving your call log, perform a new backup, disable the device from powering off etc.
I recommend getting both the Google and the Manufacturer specific accounts setup correctly.
Please see my other article on Setting up a Samsung Account called “Why you need a Samsung Account”:
Google Account
*** During the initial setup of your phone you would have already signed in with a Google Account, providing you access to your Google Calendar and your Google Contacts. ***
Here is how it is done!
- Tap Google.
- Tap Google Account.
- Under Home, Security issues found
Third-party access
These are Apps with account access and less secure app access.
If you access your Google Account with a product that is deemed as “less secure” then you should set the “Allow less secure apps” to be ON.
A less secure app can be a product such as Windows Live Mail or Microsoft Outlook. If you want to continue to use a less secure product to access your Google account then you must leave “Allow less secure apps” to be ON.
Google Play Protect
- In “Your devices”, Turn on app & device protection on your …‘Phone name’.
- “Turn on Play Protect?” tap ACCEPT
Google Play Protect checks your device and prevents or warns about potential harm.
Sign-in & recovery
Set up your recovery email address and recovery phone number. This information helps you to get back into your account if you forget your password or cannot access your account.
Services
Backup
Backup is one of essential services, should your phone be lost, stolen or damaged.
Select Backup and check that the following is backed up.
Backup to Google Drive is set to “On”.
Active backups should be as follows:
- App data
- Contacts
- Device Settings
- Photos & Videos
To make any changes:
- Tap Settings
- Tap Cloud and accounts
- Tap Accounts
- Tap your Google account (next to the Google Symbol “G”)
- Tap Sync account
- Switch individual sync items on or off as required.
Security
Find My Device
Tap Find My Device
Set the switch to “On”
This will allow your device to be found when you log into the web at:
From the Google Find my Device screen you can:
- Locate the phone on a Google map
- Play a Sound
- Enable Secure and Erase
(I found that this feature did not work on my device)
Find Your Phone
Find your Phone
This is the preferred method.
Click on Find Your Phone (4th item in the list).
Go through the verification TEST by typing in your Google password.
You now have a collection of options depending on the circumstances of the loss.
Find your phone includes the following features:
- Ring
Rings the phone for 5 minutes - Locate
Locates the phone on a Google map
(Map distorted for privacy reasons) - Lock your phone
Whether or not you have locked your phone, you can now do so with a password, enter a contact no and a message.
- Set a password (whether or not you already have one)
- Send a message to the phone lock screen
- Provide a phone number for the finder to call (provide an alternate number to your mobile number)
The phone will turn on and the following will now appear on the screen of your phone:
- Sign out of your phone
- Consider erasing your device (this provides an ERASE button).
This erase procedure may also erase the contents on your memory card. After an erase you will no longer have remote access to your phone.
The finder is still able to access the Emergency information (ICE contacts and personal medical information) by tapping EMERGENCY. (See https://martinshelpdesk.com/ice).
Once retrieved the owner will have the ability to enter a PIN or password and unlock the phone.
Mobile Phone Setup
Martin’s HelpDesk can help users get the best out of their phone. With a proper setup your phone can facilitate your everyday activities. We provide a custom setup to match your lifestyle including work, travel, sports and leisure.
