The second component of the Android Device Manager looks like it's slowly going live
We saw the Android Device Manager, Google's find (and wipe) my phone utility, starting to push out it's phone component over the weekend, and today the web interface is live for some folks. It's the second piece of the puzzle you'll need to remotely manage your lost or stolen Android, and something Google has let third-parties handle until now.
The web address is https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?u=0, and if available for your account will require you to be signed into Google on a modern web browser. I'm lucky enough to have everything working with mine, but reports from the rest of the AC staff range from partial completeness to nothing yet.
With the new service, you can locate your phone or tablet on a map, send a command to ring the ringer at full volume for five minutes (don't try this with the HTC One if dogs or small children are around), send a notification to the device to initiate setup, and once properly set-up wipe all your personal data off the missing device.
We're going to play with this for a bit, and I'll even sacrifice my Plague, Inc. data to test the remote wipe feature. In the meantime, see a few screenshots after the break. Be sure to holler if you're seeing the Android Device Manager live on your Google account.
Reader comments
Android Device Manager web page going live for some users
I've been able to log in to the ADM web site, but its largely useless for my needs. I WAS able, after a couple hours of fussing with it, to locate my lost phone but the device information screen covers MOST of the map screen and makes it almost impossible to see the map itself. There appears to be NO HELP on the Google end.
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?u=live
for the exact location on the real time
How can I have a picture or an IP of burglar ? I know it's location within a 20 meter . It is not enough...
I have a China Android mobile & the Android device manager function got enabled. The pin keys(1-9) are larger than the physical screen size, so it just shows me keys 1-6.
I cannot get past the unlock screen! PLS Help…
One thing that concerns me is that it seems to show my old phone (Note 2) as well as my HTC One and Nexus 7 in the available devices. I sold my Note 2 a couple months ago, and see no way to remove it from the list.
Works for me with Rogers in Winnipeg, Canada
Works with me. Just can't find the "lock" function, only the erase one.
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Finally.... It's now Live on my devices!
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Live for me on both devices. Xoom running EOS3 and a stock SGS3. With mobile data off, it couldn't find the S3--turned that on & immediately found it.
Activated all three devices. Thanks, Google.
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Live for me. See both my new nexus 7 and my razr Maxx.
Yeah my device is not showing anything under last used. But shows when it was registered. Any help?
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It says I don't have any Android device, so strange, although I'm using nexus 7 with my Gmail account
Working on my N4 and N7, very loud ringtone
You can also use Lookout app which has these features and more such as saving your location when low battery, taking photos of people trying to login to your phone, security, anti-virus, backup, restore, and safe browsing. https://www.lookout.com/ or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout
I still get nothing on my HTC EVO 4G LTE. When I try all I get is "Location Unavailable". Tried to kick start it by sending a notification/ring form the page but still a no go. All the instructions in the Help section have been followed too. I guess I will just stick with Lookout. At least that seems to be working.
Just got mine up and running both stages!
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Still getting "Location Unavailable". Followed all the instructions on the help link. Epic Fail. I'll stick with Seek Droid and Lookout. They both work which is more than I can say for this pos.
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Yip I have the link and the device manager on my phone in security but get told it's only for Google apps for business. I'm on the free Google apps. Got in when it was still 50 users free.
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Working on my HTC Raider and Nexus 7 (2012)
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Working for me on my Verizon Galaxy Note 2 and Nexus 7's (Gen1 & Gen2)! Happy..Happy...Happy!
Live and working perfectly, Lima, Perú, CLARO :) Samsung Galaxy S4 Octa :)
HTC One running Stock shows up just fine, Nexus 7 running AOSPA doesnt.
Guess will wait till I reach hoem to check out the reason.
Rang and located my One, worked well
Seems to work well except that I don't see a pin on the map. It has my neighborhood and my location within 23 meters (based on WiFi), and the map is centered on me, yet no red, "you are here" marker. Weird. Pretty nice to have baked in now.
Working on my HTC One
Didn't try the wipe but I hope they make you enter a password
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Works for me ... they should allow you to access the device manager through the google play app
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Working for both my Nexus 4 and OG Kindle Fire, both rooted and running cm10.
Work for me in Melbourne with Nexus 4 ! :D
Working on my gs3, but not my wife's gs3. Tried unchecking the box and then reactivate, but no luck. Any settings other than the actual device manager that could affect performance? Suggestions are appreciated.
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Live for me in Indonesia & my Google Nexus!
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Working here too
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Live on my Nexus 7 (2012), not on my Gnex.
I checked my old device (Desire HD), now used as a PMP; it was already pushed out to it, and was working good. My other 2 devices (Nexus 4 & Nexus 7), didn't have the option to enable it in Google Services. When I clicked the link to send a notification to the device it gave me the option to enable wipe and locate, since then, I have it working on all my devices.
I did notice an issue with my Nexus 7. When I enabled locate and wipe on the device, neither function will work when my daughter is logged into the alternate user account.
I'm kinda skeptical...it says its accurate to within 23 meters, but it looks to be 26-28 meters off
cool function though...right up until someone cracks my google password and wipes my phone
Dont sacrifice your game data, just do a device-device backup to your N7 or N10... Helium by Clockwork Mod FTW. B-)
Splattered for your amusement... via the AC App
Dont sacrifice your game data, just do a device-device backup to your N7 or N10... Helium by Clockwork Mod FTW. B-)
Splattered for your amusement... via the AC App
Live and working here. Really considering making a nandroid and doing a factory reset just to see if I can.
Yep all live
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OKC--AT&T GS4. Working like a champ! Rings in silent or vibrate. Better location with wifi (within 15 ft.). Data only had me within 40 ft.
Only 11 devices? :D
Live for me on my HTC One, but it locates my phone all the way on the other end of the couch from where I'm actually sitting. Disappointing.
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It's live on my HTC One in NYC. I activated it. I went to the link above, selected my HTC One, and it can't find location. Also fails to ring when I do the ring option.
I wonder what's up.
Try clicking the send notification link then click on the notification that shows up on your phone, that worked for me.
Live on Galaxy Note 2, the site works and has history of devices you used as well ability to swap between active android devices. The service works and I can't wait to see what other enhancements are in store...
Follow me on IG/Twitter: @GOGETEMB
Mine is up and running.
I tried it, both my Nexus 10 and my Skyrocket were located spot on. And I am in a small town in Haiti.
Does your nexus 10 "ring" when it's on silent or vibration mode?? Mine does not..
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Live for me!
Working. Tested successfully.
Live and working for me on my HTC One in NYC, had my location pinpointed exactly.
My HTC One didn't work. Said couldn't find my location. I'm also in NYC.
Weird. I'll give it time. Maybe it's a Sprint issue.
It shows my N7 and my old phone, but not my current N4....weird
I am a Google Apps for biz customer thou.
It cant find my phone or tablet at the moment not sure why all setting are correct.
when is the app out????/
Works on Samsung G4 in UK. Everything works, haven't tried device erase thou!
how did you get it to work i have a note2 and a sony tablet and both say location unaviable.
It says "location unavailable" for me?
me to in the uk are u in uk as well
No, I'm in the US. It is showing both my Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 in the drop down but is unable to locate either of them. Very strange...
Works for me too!
Works here! Quite cool actually.
I use a Google Apps account on my Android phone and this is the message I've got:
"Google Apps Device Policy is only available for Google Apps Business and Education customers. Please log in with your Google Apps account to access this page."
Does this mean that Android Device Manager is not available for gApps customers yet?
Working for gApps users now.
Up and running on my Tmo Gs2
working on my S3 as well.
Part one finally hit my phone today and the page is also live for me. Baltimore Maryland!
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Works very well with my TMO GS2.. But problem with N10... It won't ring when the tablet is silent or vibration.
Worked -- and worked very quickly and accurately -- for my GN. Including the remote ring.
I only flashed a new ROM last night, though, so I'm not going to test the remote wipe functionality just yet. ;)
Just got my Nexus 7, 2013 up on ADM, worked like a charm , instantly.
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HTC One live... Toronto
The service is working for me (and shows both of my devices properly).
Works for me!
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Works for me. :-)
Thanks, works here. I found the Android Device Manager option under Google Settings too (I thought this was an app that would be made available separately).
Live for me.
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It's not working for me. Both my EVO LTE and my Nexus 7 show in the drop-down list, but it says Location Unknown for both and using the Ring option does nothing...
WOrks on my S4, Nexus 7 2013, but i dont see my Nexus 10 in the pull down menu.
No Device Manager listed for my Gnex, oh well, I use another third party app.
I'm able to ring devices that no longer have my account synced with them. Anyone else able to do this?
Live for me on my Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and even my old HTC Sensation!
I have it working for me
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I just received my android device manager.. I have a galaxy s4 phone.
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Working on my N4
Works for me, but I wish it could have different ringtone and not the default phone ringtone that I already have.
It's working for my Sprint Epic 4g Touch. I think I've set it up. It was able to ring my phone.
Working for my N4 but not my N7. It even shows the correct part of the building. It's like fracking CSI man!
Working on my HTC One.
Cool!! Its working on my EVO 4gLTE in Florida. One thing.... there is no "Stop" button when you press the ring button. LOL....
Will there be a way to Lock the phone until a certain password is put in.. that way if its stolen i can LOCK it until i trace down the thief.....
Works in Ecuador in my Note 2 :)
Live for me
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It's live on all 3 of my CM10.1 devices.
I'm curious how this works on newer devices with multiple user profiles.
I just tried on my new Nexus 7, and the "Ring" doesn't work if you're logged into a profile which doesn't have your Google account attached. But the second you switch profiles to the one with, the ringer starts.
Guessing the remote wipe will work (or not work, rather) the same way.
Hopefully, Google fixes that in the near future.
Correction: Just tested it some more, and it seemed to finally ring after 3-5 minutes. Still not great, but better than not at all.
I already use Lookout which largely does the same thing. What lookout also does is a Signal Flare, where it pushes out it's location to the server as the battery dies. I wonder if device manager does the same?
Just went live for me
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It placed my phone exactly where it is!!!!
Live for me as well. Sensation 4G, CM10.1. Location: Trinidad & Tobago.
Works for me. It just only rings once on my one x+.
Live for me on my evo 3d and new nexus 7.
Got it on all my devices. I got the Play Services update on my devices. yesterday and activated the setting under "Security" last night. We've only needed this since the Eclair days. Really happy to see it roll out.
good move Google, has been on Windows phone since its intruction
"Location unavailable." Nexus 4.
Same. Ring does not work either.
Live On my Sprint GS2 and it is Live as well as my Galaxy Tab 2 Wifi only.
Works fully on my Nexus 7 and my HTC One X+.
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Picked up my S4 on the site and Android Device Manager was listed in the Google Settings App where it told me to enable remote wipe, but no official install (that is, Titanium isn't finding com.google.android.gms).
Nevermind... Stupid auto-correct changed it to GSM -_-
Works for my Nexus 7. Not my LG OG Pro
I take it back. My Phone is on there as well. Pretty cool!
Mine is live on my tablets (Nexus 7 (2012), Transformer Pad Infinity, Toshiba Thrive). Nothing on my phone, though...
Live for me, but not sure how helpful it will be in cities like Newyork. Its showing blue circle on street around 20 meter away from my location.
Of my three devices I've seen 16 meter accuracy. It fluctuates up to several hundred, though. Even if it was never super accurate, it's accurate enough to the general area where you knew you were last, which is good enough, since you'd be stupid to go tracking down a thief.
Just wondering...does GPS and/or Google Account Sync have to be on in order for this to be fully effective or does it not matter?
It doesn't appear to matter. I have GPS turned off and it took several clicks of refresh, but it finally was able to find my phone quite accurately. Though with it on, I can only imagine it would be even better.
I just tried it with WiFi on only (not GPS), and it pinpointed my location exactly. So using only cellular network it can get within like a few thousand feet radius. With WiFi on, it can pinpoint your location using Google's WiFi AP database. And obviously if GPS is on it will also give you pinpoint location info.
Mmmmm, weird. It located my N7, at home, in Denver but when I activated it on my N4 at work.....it's not located.
What confuses me is that I did not activate it on the N7 this morning but it located it?????
Shows up for both my AT&T SGS3 and original Nexus 7 but only locates and rings the Nexus 7......
Working all the way down here in Australia. I did you the remote ring thing and it works. But I'll let someone else test the remote wipe and I'll just take their word that it works.
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That's on both my SGS4 and my 2012 Nexus 7
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Anyone using Google Apps for their email able to use this?
I'm getting a page that displays a message saying that only Business and Education works. Would I have to upgrade mine or wait until this is all done.
I'm getting the same message.
I don't really see the point of upgrading to the paid version of Google Apps just to use this.
I already have Cerberus and I have 36GB of storage in GDrive. So I guess I can make do without this.
Just a shame that I need to upgrade to use this, and if I do upgrade this, I already would have had access to this.
Agree completely. I thought Google did away with the differences between a free @gmail.com account and free @yourdomain.com account. I'm pretty sure most of us (at least the administrators of Apps for Domains) are high end users who would make use of features such as this.
+1
+1
Nevermind, it is now live for Google Apps users
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
-1 I guess :)
+1
I am also getting this message. This is very disappointing!
for Google apps you would use My devices here https://www.google.com/apps/mydevices/b/0
This did not work for me.
Me neither, same error. "Google Apps Device Policy is only available for Google Apps Business and Education customers. Please log in with your Google Apps account to access this page."
Working :) Nexus 4 and in Belgium.
How is this better than Cerberus? It seems like Cerberus is more full featured and also free.
Maybe I looked at the wrong app, but in the Play Store it reads:
"This is a free trial for one week, then you can buy a lifetime license for a small price from within the application".
I'd like to the store page, but apparently that means you're spamming in the comments...
You could argue this is better because it's one less company you're sharing you're information with, and it's built-in (finally).
Device Manager is active on both my Nexus 7 2013 and my Epic 4G Touch. The website works well too. The ring is pretty much instant
All systems go for me.. Both location and remote wipe.
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S4 yes and Nexus 7 no.
Works grezt though on the S4
Working for me as well.
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Yep. Working for me! ATT HTC ONE!
Working well for me! Thanks for the heads up AC!
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Works great in the ATL... Go Braves!!
Live on mine... trying to figure out what it can do!
It works here with S3 Telus Canada.
Posted using Samsung GS III
Live for me on Droid DNA running CM 10.1
Curious though, will the wipe function work with a non-stock recovery?
works for me and remote wipe is activated. nice to have this option available if needed.
working for my two devices (LG Optimus g & Nexus 7 - 2013 edition)
It is active for me... I activated the remote wipe, but for some reason the option is still greyed out on the web site? Maybe it will work at some point.
The button is no longer greyed out for me after reloading the DeviceManager page.
How do you remotely lock the device? Under the Google Settings app -> Adobe Device Manager, the check box for remote wipe also says remote lock. I havent clicked on the remote wipe button not knowing if there is a confirmation screen or not and dont want to wipe my phone on accident.
I'm curious about this as well. When you allow Android Device Manager to be device administrator, it says Google Play Services will be able to change the screen-unlock password as well as control how and when the screen locks. The only options I see in the ADM are ring and erase.
Anyone have any insight on this?
Excellent to see this up and running for my account. I was thinking about using Lookout, which isn't a bad app by any means, but I'd rather use something that's just built in instead of 3rd party. Google keeps on removing my need for 3rd party apps for core functionality. I just need a Google smart watch now.
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Live for me on GNex running CM 10.1.2. I didn't load the apk, it just showed up for me.
Live for me in Atlanta, working for my HTC One, my Nexus 7, and my Nexus 10.
Live for me! Activated the remote wipe.
working for me. and i don't even know if the options are on my phone yet. but since the web page is working, i guess it's there somewhere
Its working in the mobile version to
Wooo. Clicked the link, allowed it. Then went to Settings>Security>Device Administrators and clicked on Android Device Manager. I have a Galaxy S2.
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Thanks Si1versmith; I didn't even have to take the time to figure this out by the time I read the article and comments since you posted it.
Funny, I didn't realize "Where's my Droid" showed up in this spot either... oh well, that's one app I'm ditching. :)
Where do you get the Android app counterpart? I can't find it in Play?
Ah-ha! The "app" is "Google Settings" and Android Device Manager will show up as the last item in the list (at least it does for me, on my Note 2).
This functionality does not appear to be present on my Note 10.1 (which is where I was looking when originally posted here).
Up and running for me in the UK on my Nexus 7 and 4 :-)
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Hey also working on my Acer Iconia Tab A100 (WiFi Only) !
Cheers !!!
How are you living with that touchscreen????
Yay. I've been wanting something like this. I had third party apps but it's nice to not have to put up with ads or pay or jump through any other hoops for it. It seems to work pretty well. I can't say 100% because I'm not wiping my phone just to test.
Yup, Alice and working for me :) great tjat it's available directly from google.
Working on my Nex7 and GNex
Working flawlessly here in Venezuela!
Works really nice on my GS3 !
Cheers !
Live for me in the UK too!
Wow.. I'm from the UK and its not working for me... I thought it was something to do with what country you're in.
Yes, it's live.
It's live on my account. Works fine with my HTC One
Works great here on my GS3. Will try my Nexus 7 when I get home tonight.
Yup, got it -- Ijamsville, MD
Notification didn't work for my Galaxy Tablet 10.1, even though it's listed in the pull-down.
Strange. It's there for my HTC One (and works), lists my old NS4G (not currently on a cell network), but my OG Nexus 7 doesn't appear. Is this only for cellular devices, not Wifi?
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For me, it's seeing my tablet, but not my phone (Galaxy S3 running CM 10.1), so it's not a tablet/phone thing.
Same for me; I wonder if it's a stock vs. CM thing.
my N10 is working too. you have to have the latest play service for the device to show up. maybe your other device is not updated
For me it showed all my devices but only my Nexus 4 was being located so I just deactivated and reactivated on my Nexus 10 and now it works perfectly. Extremely creepy but works great.
I have it working for me - nexus 4
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Razr M up and running
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Same here. No issue that I see (yet) with competing for administrative duties with my corporate account that requires the same wipe permissions. I don't suppose their should be, but stranger has happened before.
Works for me but I don't really get it. What is the point of having a service that 99.9% of all Android users will never know about?
Will Google advertise this service on all their web pages and in the Play Store on the devices?
I am sure that this will be built in to stock more sooner than later.
Yeah but if Google doesn't advertise the service then it will be under utilized and eventually shuttered.
If Google doesn't find a way to MONETIZE it it will be shuttered.
I'd rather they ding my account a dollar a year than decide somewhere down the line to kill it off.
With 750 million android devices, a dollar a year would keep a lot of wolves from google's door step.
I don't know that they'll feel the need to monetize this separately.
I imagine it'll just be regarded as a value-added benefit of Android -- especially since iOS already has a competing feature as stock.
Moreover, it must cost them next to nothing to maintain. They already have Google Maps to handle the web end, already have the GPS at the remote end, and already have your Google account to seamlessly integrate the two. The only thing that was missing was the ADM software installed on the remote side -- short of bug fixes, there's not a whole lot they need to add to that after the initial development since it's only a failsafe app, not something people are going to be using on a regular basis.
Maybe we will need to watch a ad before you can find your phone ; )
Im guessing it will spread pretty quick. When the news first broke, I told about 10 people that I know about it. Today, someone came up to me whom I didn't tell and told me about it.
Its live on my account, but it says no active devices even though I have checked and installed the admin for it. Any ideas anyone?
Yup. Give it time. :)
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Make sure you have adblock off, because the site uses several things that will trip most javascript security plugins.
It worked for me only after I allowed these to run.
It even "rang" my Tablet and phone. Works like a champ.
The wipe device is a one-click confirm, and I predict a LOT of evil people nuking other people's phones with this if they find a password, or a logged in computer somewhere.
If you haven't used two factor authentication THIS is the time to start.
I was excited for this feature until I read your post. Now I'm tempted to turn it off. At least disable the remote wipe feature.
I tried disabling ADBlock Plus but the map stills not showing and it doesn't make my phone ring.
Make sure you have adblock off, because the site uses several things that will trip most javascript security plugins................
Dear I had Samsung Galaxy Ace but not able to run Device manager .
Working for me!
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Live for me!
I want to point out the link to Android device manager in play store if you dont want to type the path.
so its on play.Google.com -->click wrench icon on top right-->Android Device Manager
Wrench = Cog
Yeah, i couldn't edit my comments anymore
Live here as well, but the map is a bit off by more then the 13 meters it states. Says my phone is about 30+ miles from where I'm currently at.
Also tried the Ring phone feature, nothing came through on the phone. Hopefully things will smooth out in the next few days.
Live for me!
It's live for Google Apps users now.
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
I still get the error saying its for Google Apps for Business and Education customers.
I have the free Google Apps for my domain. Is yours the free one?
Same here! It doesn't work for me too! And it's sad cuz I expected to atleast be at par with free Gmail users, if not the others!
I also get the notice that only paying Google Apps customers can use this.
Works fine if I log out and use my old gmail account though. Just not ideal.