The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →You can locate another Samsung phone only through a route that was set up in advance: the owner can share their location with you, or share their device for family finding. Samsung’s tools do not provide a way to secretly enable another person’s location or bypass their sharing choices. If the missing phone is yours, use Samsung’s lost-device tools instead.
Choose the right Samsung feature
Samsung documents two services that can be relevant, but they serve different purposes. Samsung Find includes Devices, People, and Items functions. Its People feature supports consent-based location sharing; its Devices feature helps locate a registered device. SmartThings Find also supports lost-device finding. Samsung describes these as separate services, so use the app named in the instructions for the task you are doing.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Trying to see where someone is: use Samsung Find’s People/location-sharing feature after the person accepts a request.
- Trying to recover a family member’s device: use the device-sharing arrangement they configured in advance, if it is available to your accounts and region.
- Trying to recover your own missing phone: sign in to Samsung Find or SmartThings Find with the Samsung account associated with that phone.
How to locate someone’s shared location
Samsung UK’s Samsung Find FAQ states: “Your location is shared only if you accept a location-sharing request.” The person can choose a sharing duration and can stop sharing. A family relationship or access to someone’s phone does not itself override those choices.
- Ask the person to use Samsung Find to send or accept a location-sharing request.
- They must accept the request on their device; they can choose the sharing duration.
- After sharing is active, view their location in Samsung Find’s People feature.
- To end access, the person can stop sharing from the app.
How family device finding works
Samsung says a family member may be able to find a device if its owner shared that device in advance, or through the Samsung Find website. This is device sharing, not a way to silently turn on another person’s location. Family-group features and child-account options have additional account and regional conditions.
#1 Best Overall
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only
Setup instructions are not identical everywhere. Samsung’s UK guidance says the Samsung Find app must be installed on the receiving user’s device, and that the device-sharing menu is not visible unless a family group has been created. Family-group creation availability can vary by region and One UI version. Check the current Samsung instructions for your country and software before relying on a particular menu.
How to find your own missing Samsung phone
These steps apply to a device you own or are authorized to manage. Samsung’s US support instructions direct users to open the Samsung Find or SmartThings Find website in a browser, sign in with the Samsung account used on the missing device, and select the device from the list.
Rank #2
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
- Open the Samsung Find or SmartThings Find website in a browser.
- Sign in with the Samsung account associated with the missing phone.
- Select the phone in the device list and review the location or available actions.
Samsung lists several prerequisites for locating a phone: a Samsung account must be added, “Allow this phone to be found” and remote controls must be enabled, and the device needs power and suitable network conditions for a current location. If the phone is off, Samsung says the service may show only its last known location. Setting names and paths can differ by region and software version.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsActions Samsung Find may offer
- Ring: Samsung says the phone can ring for one minute even if muted or set to vibrate.
- Track location: Samsung’s US guide says this can provide updates every 15 minutes.
- Extend battery life: this can activate Maximum power saving mode.
- Notifications: Samsung Find supports notifications when a device is found.
Availability and results depend on the device’s state and the feature’s availability; these actions are not guaranteed to work in every case.
Rank #3
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
What offline finding can—and cannot—do
When Offline finding is enabled, nearby Galaxy devices can act as Find Nodes and send signals to Samsung’s server. Samsung’s UK explanation says the device being sought still needs to be turned on. It also cautions that Find Nodes do not indicate the lost device’s exact location. Treat offline finding as a possible recovery aid, not guaranteed live GPS tracking.
Can someone see my location without my permission?
Samsung’s stated location-sharing process requires the person to accept a request, and that person can stop sharing. Samsung’s documented features do not describe a way for another user to remotely turn on your location permission or secretly enable sharing. If you do not want to share, do not accept the request or stop sharing in Samsung Find.
Rank #4
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
If you think the phone was stolen
Do not go to a mapped location to confront someone or retrieve the phone. Samsung Support US warns: “If you are using SmartThings Find or Samsung Find to locate a stolen phone or tablet, do not go directly to the location on the map.” Inform the authorities and let them retrieve it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Check compatibility before relying on a feature
Availability varies with country, device, and software. Samsung Support Canada’s overview, updated 1 October 2026, says Samsung Find supports Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 2 or later and comes preloaded on new Galaxy devices with One UI 6. That compatibility statement is regional; it does not establish that every sharing or family feature is available on every supported device. Confirm current requirements on Samsung’s support pages for your country and model.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, activates your compatible IoT devices and stays powered for up to 500 days or even up to 40% more on Non-Power Saving Mode
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something. Switch on Search Nearby and get guided instructions to your item's location via Compass View; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- Type of battery needed: replaceable CR2032 1 ea Lithium battery (not included)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
