Lost phone info for everyone - Thunderbolt General

Tonight I lost my beloved ThunderBolt. In the process I learned some valuable information that may help some of you out.
Last week I customized my splash screen following a tutorial here but I went one step further and edited it to include my name, address, e-mail address, website, business name and phone numbers as well as that there would be a $100 reward if found in case it was ever lost or stolen.
Tonight I went to see the fireworks at Stone Mountain. To conserve battery I turned my mobile data and GPS off. In the middle of the show a thunderstorm came and the rain started coming down heavily. I got up off the grass and ran for cover. In the process I lost my phone.
The other day I found out about an app called Plan B made by Lookout that you push to your phone AFTER it is lost or stolen via the Market. It uses GPS, Wi-Fi, or your mobile network coordinates to locate your phone and e-mails you this info every few minutes. I tested it out and it worked perfectly! There is also an app called SMS GPS Enabler that can be pushed to your phone the same way and can be used to turn GPS and Wi-Fi on remotely via SMS. Unfortunately for me mobile data has to be enabled in order to receive either push from the Market.
Once I realized my phone was missing out of my pocket I started calling it from my girlfriend's phone and texting it. Another app I use is called Backup to Gmail. It backs up all my SMS, MMS and Call Logs to my Gmail account under their own headings. It uses mobile data to do so.
At this time none of the text messages being sent to the phone are showing up in my e-mail, which leads me to believe the mobile data is still turned off, the phone is off, or it received water damage.
Since I run a business from my phone I decided to go ahead and call Asurion. I've only had my phone 18 days so I expected them to tell me it wasn't covered yet but they were able to process a claim quite painlessly. I was off the call in under 5 minutes with a new phone, SD Card, LTE SIM, battery and back cover being overnighted for a total cost of $100. They didn't ask me to call Verizon or file a police report so I did neither.
As of this moment calls to my phone are still going through to voicemail since I never called Verizon to have it shut off. For voicemail I use the PhoneFusion Visual Voicemail app and service. With it all of my missed calls instantly show as e-mails in my inbox so for the next 36 hours while I don't have a phone I will still be able to see who called me and return their calls. It is free and a must-have for any business owner. Your phone doesn't have to be turned on or even in a coverage area for it to work! I also found out that Asurion has a free app to remotely wipe your phone or locate it in the event that is lost or stolen and that you can file 2 claims per year. Lookout also has a similar app for a few bucks.
So that's it. Sucks but all I'm really out is $100 and 4 hours or so customizing the replacement. I should have kept a copy of my Rom Manager Backup on my laptop.

You run a business with a cell phone?
Loling aside, some pretty decent programs I might have to check out

Not exactly but I own a very busy computer store. All my vendors and top customers as well as employees equals non-stop ringing.

Plan B is amazing. Wheres My Droid is something I used to use on my DInc and worked well for losing my phone around the house/friends. Same thing happened to me, check my last thread. Although, it allowed me to recover more than just my phone

Ever hear of a phone case pretty cheap now a days compared to time down,stress,$$$$$.....plan a decent case @#$% flea market 7 bucks....
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

scottthreet32 said:
Ever hear of a phone case pretty cheap now a days compared to time down,stress,$$$$$.....plan a decent case @#$% flea market 7 bucks
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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what are you trying to say here?
how is a phone case going to keep a person from losing a phone, please explain.

thanks for the info! i will definitely remember plan b if i ever lose my phone

I think he's saying that if the phone is THAT important then the OP should do a better job of securing it ... the idea being that a dedicated case is perhaps more secure than sticking the phone in a pocket.

phonelocator pro also is a good app to have it will turn your gps on even when phone is off if ur rooted,has remote wipe,lockout and can continuously ring untill found,unregistered sim detect,know whos calling it and the app can be hidden so it cant be turned off.http://phonelocatorpro.com/

hmmm phone case on belt belt on person, phone in case on person ...see where im going with this.hence phone in case on person phone not lost. wanna get truely out there put safety chain on case in the event case comes off person ah like chain on wallet. DUDE NO INSURANCE PHONE IS $569.00 +- FULL RETAIL PRICE NO K-Y,NO SPIT, NO KISS THATS JUST STRAIGHT UP BENT OVER!!!!....other threads i lost my phone boohoo hundred bucks ..PAY IT ...PHONE CASE PRICELESS ANYTHING AROUND ON PHONE PRICELESS PHONE IS PLASTIC GROUND IS HARD tell me the out come if ya drop PHONES DONT SWIM NOT WATER TIGHT.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Last night I got a call from a lady that found my phone while jogging and thanks to my custom splash screen called me for the reward. I went and picked it up and it is still turned on and functioning correctly. This morning I received the brand new replacement. I don't know whether to call Asurion because in reading other people's posts I read that if I do call they'll want the new one back and to keep my hundred dollars.

allchannels99 said:
Last night I got a call from a lady that found my phone while jogging and thanks to my custom splash screen called me for the reward. I went and picked it up and it is still turned on and functioning correctly. This morning I received the brand new replacement. I don't know whether to call Asurion because in reading other people's posts I read that if I do call they'll want the new one back and to keep my hundred dollars.
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I believe in honesty, but i would personally keep it.
But i wouldnt try and activate it. Most likely it would be reported by asurion as lost/stolen. Just keep it as a at home backup imo.

scottthreet32 said:
hmmm phone case on belt belt on person, phone in case on person ...
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then who was phone?

I have lookout security installed as well as Prey which can be activated by SMS. Not to mention HTC Sense has the phone finder.
I'm sure one is bound to work. If not I'll push Plan B if ever needed.

Htcsense does have a phone finder but someone can turn that feature off easily if they were to find your phone. Anyone know of an app that will let you password protect uninstalling or disabling it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

altimax98 said:
I believe in honesty, but i would personally keep it.
But i wouldnt try and activate it. Most likely it would be reported by asurion as lost/stolen. Just keep it as a at home backup imo.
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So would the phone now have a bad esn number and therefore can never be activated again?

Most likely yes. Typicly that's what they should do

happimeal said:
Htcsense does have a phone finder but someone can turn that feature off easily if they were to find your phone. Anyone know of an app that will let you password protect uninstalling or disabling it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
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I use App Protector that requires a numeric pin to access any app including settings or package installer to prevent uninstall. I use it for things like this

GMoGoody said:
I use App Protector that requires a numeric pin to access any app including settings or package installer to prevent uninstall. I use it for things like this
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Thank you, good tip.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Related

WaveSecure..

Anyone getting an account? They are giving away lifetime membership for those who download and register.
It is basically like mobile defense (which is also great and free) but it give the option to wipe the phone & the SD card. a few months ago I lost a G1 and I would have love to be able to wipe everything.
I figured it is a must for my Nexus.
Just wanted to put it out there for those who didn't know.
Were you able to log in into their website?
I'm using it, and I'm very impressed. This is a must download app. However, the site is very slow and you often have trouble connecting to it.
Haven't tried logging into their website yet, just downloaded it today. Still at work and no access to that site. I know mobile defense was fairly simple and I figure it shouldn't be much different.
Dled , installed , and tried it out the other day. GPS was off by alot but the other stuff seemed to work.
I've tried it a few times over the past 2 days and am very impressed. The website worked great... no problems connecting for me. Also, the GPS was right on!
I've been using it for about a week and a half now its pretty awesome i think, i had some problems backing up my contacts but got that fixed, other than that it works flawlessly for me.
Ok I see what I did wrong, you have to put +15556667777 (+1 for state side) to log in.
As for tracking, it worked really good for me.. only off by like 7 feet. Had no problems backing up contacts, sms, etc. Works good for me. hopefully i'll never really have to use it but if I do I have trust i'll find my phone in no time.
wow that's pretty nice. free even.
Tortri said:
Ok I see what I did wrong, you have to put +15556667777 (+1 for state side) to log in.
As for tracking, it worked really good for me.. only off by like 7 feet. Had no problems backing up contacts, sms, etc. Works good for me. hopefully i'll never really have to use it but if I do I have trust i'll find my phone in no time.
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Yep. And When you get the country code or number wrong, they charge it as an international text, which you have to pay for. So be careful when inputting those numbers!
I also found that the app works extremely well, downloaded it the first night I had the phone.
has anyone compared wave secure, mobile defense, or lookout mobile? Do they all do the same thing?
Seems like a pretty good app from using it for a bit. Only problem I have is that the GPS can only be updated 4 times a day. Would seem pretty hard to track someone down if you cant update the position that often.
cronin4392 said:
Seems like a pretty good app from using it for a bit. Only problem I have is that the GPS can only be updated 4 times a day. Would seem pretty hard to track someone down if you cant update the position that often.
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that is where mobile defense comes in. You can pretty much stream an active location through mobile defense. getting better the longer it stays on.
Un-Installing?
Would the remote wipe and location features work if the "thief" removed the application from their phone?
Doubt it, unless you password your screen so they can't get access to do that. But then they might try a different sim card at which point they will see the screen about returning it. But if this person knows anything about the android system, couldn't they just unlock it, replace the bootloader and format the phone, regardless if its locked or not??
Guess you better hope that last couple GPS locations is his house or work..
How would this work?
Say someone straight up steals my phone, i put it down, turn to grab something, turn back and its gone. ok, GPS... i know where the SOB lives. Then what, call the cops? Wouldn't I need a IMEI and serial to prove its mine? Wouldn't the cops need a search warrant to look in his house to find your phone?? Or should I just bust down his door and beat the crap out of him?
How would it go down to get it back?
Beware of the hidden cost
BTW unless they have changed it but every time you receive a txt from wavesure you will get charged.
I know they have stop it for the US, can't confirm for the rest of the world.
jeux_1 said:
BTW unless they have changed it but every time you receive a txt from wavesure you will get charged.
I know they have stop it for the US, can't confirm for the rest of the world.
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charged by wavesecure or standard sms rates from the carrier?
I believe it is a foreign received txt. you were getting charged like 20 cents.
It was on a forum where wavesecure was participating.
They changed it in the US but I am unsure for the rest of the world.
I will find the forum once I am back home.
jeux_1 said:
I believe it is a foreign received txt. you were getting charged like 20 cents.
It was on a forum where wavesecure was participating.
They changed it in the US but I am unsure for the rest of the world.
I will find the forum once I am back home.
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yeah it is free

Lost G2X No Mobile Security

Anyone know if a lost G2X can be tracked down if T-Mobile Security had not been downloaded yet?
Not unless you have some other app like SeekDroid or Lookout installed. If you report the IMEI as stolen there technically may be a way for T-Mobile to track it but it's probably not worth their time/money, and I think the IMEI can be spoofed anyways.
Sorry
Thanks, I didn't even know about the T-mobile security and that I was eligible until I called this afternoon. What really sucks is I had a pretty good phone with the only issue being the wifi connection. I hope this next one doesn't blow.
You could try out Plan B from Android Market. I would post a link but I don't have enough posts yet to be allowed to do so.
Thanks for the rec, just reactivated the line and am going to try this in a couple of hours. Fingers crossed. Here's the link in case anyone else is interested:
https://market.android.com/details?...lanb&rdid=com.lookout.labs.planb&rdot=1&pli=1
Good luck.
Sent from my LG-P999
In the future, download WheresMyDroid and make it a system app with Titanium.
Sent from my Nexus 5g using XDA Ultimate App
I still recommend SeekDroid but to each their own.
Interesting that Plan B can be installed and activated remotely though...
A guy at my work sold me a droid x for 30$ and when I charged it, and turned it on, lookout kept sending me a text message saying it was broadcasting the gps location. Of course its only accurate up to 500 or something, so it could be difficult to pinpoint the theif. Knowing what I know, I could have rooted it, flashed cwm and a rom possibly faked the imei but im a nice guy lol. So I answered every call that came in until I found the owner, and got my 30$ back. Turns out the guy at my work stole it...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
r4d14n7 said:
I still recommend SeekDroid but to each their own.
Interesting that Plan B can be installed and activated remotely though...
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As long as the phone is on, which mine isn't. Either the battery died or someone was smart enough to turn it off or take out the sim card. Lesson learned.

Help me find my lost brand new atrix 2

Hi,
recently my brand new atrix 2 mobile was pickpocketed .unfortunatly i did not have insurance..i have given my imei no to the cops but i dont expect them to help me..as usual..so is there any way i can fine my mobile back..and one more question is the gmail sync going to get deleted once he(theif)formats the mobile..(will i be unable to see the apps installed in my mobile on google play)as of now he has kept the mobile switched off PLEASE HELP.//
go on the play store on your computer then send the app "plan b" to your phone. Unless the phone is off or the theif took out the sim card, the app will install and run then it will send the location of your phone to your e-mail. Good luck!
Bmatthews11 said:
go on the play store on your computer then send the app "plan b" to your phone. Unless the phone is off or the theif took out the sim card, the app will install and run then it will send the location of your phone to your e-mail. Good luck!
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Yep, "Plan B" is your best option. You can only hope that the thief hasn't factory reset it. If he has, then your phone will stop syncing with your Google Account and you won't be able to install Plan B.
That sucks to here your phone got stolen. Let us know what the outcome of this is. If it was me, i would be on a revengeful man hunt.
Sent from my MB865 using xda premium
My friend had his iPhone stolen once (I was happy because I could convince him to get an android phone after). We used an app that could make i make a ton of noise to alert people it was stolen. the location showed inside a house at the time, so we drove there and started the noise. The phone then came flying out the window and on to the pavement right in front of our car. It still worked. I would not recommend this approach, but it was funny as hell to see.
lkrasner said:
My friend had his iPhone stolen once (I was happy because I could convince him to get an android phone after). We used an app that could make i make a ton of noise to alert people it was stolen. the location showed inside a house at the time, so we drove there and started the noise. The phone then came flying out the window and on to the pavement right in front of our car. It still worked. I would not recommend this approach, but it was funny as hell to see.
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LOL epic win
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk
Does At&t not have the option of finding your phone through your online account? With T-Mobile there was an option for that and it even told you the last location the phone was before turned off. Also call At&t and ask them if they can monitor the phones usage and if they can automatically log when the phone is connected to their towers. Once this happens they can tell you about where the phone was last logged. Could help a little.
Sent from my Photon Q using ultramegaextremeXDA

Stolen Nexus 5

Just got my Phone jacked I have full protection on it from T-Mobile which comes with Lookout Premium, but for some reason even tho I had it installed, I can't access it on Google Maps, from the Lookout website. It's not showing the location, not allowing me to issue commands, anything. So I think I am basically screwed. I didn't have a password on it. Tho some of my files are Encrypted. And I had just cleaned out my Call log and SMS log, so that's a plus.
So does Anyone know of anyway to get this Lookout "Find My Droid" feature working? Or am I just gonna have to suck it up and go pay the deductible to get myself my nexus back before i go through SNWS (sudden Nexus Withdrawal Symptoms)
Silicon Knight said:
Just got my Phone jacked I have full protection on it from T-Mobile which comes with Lookout Premium, but for some reason even tho I had it installed, I can't access it on Google Maps, from the Lookout website. It's not showing the location, not allowing me to issue commands, anything. So I think I am basically screwed. I didn't have a password on it. Tho some of my files are Encrypted. And I had just cleaned out my Call log and SMS log, so that's a plus.
So does Anyone know of anyway to get this Lookout "Find My Droid" feature working? Or am I just gonna have to suck it up and go pay the deductible to get myself my nexus back before i go through SNWS (sudden Nexus Withdrawal Symptoms)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats the point of security software without the first line of defense a password!
Look up the android device manager app on Google play.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Dragn4rce said:
Look up the android device manager app on Google play.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Visit https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?u=0 while logged into your Google Account, if you see the location, don't go try retrieve yourself, contact the police for help.
Good luck!
Silicon Knight said:
Just got my Phone jacked I have full protection on it from T-Mobile which comes with Lookout Premium, but for some reason even tho I had it installed, I can't access it on Google Maps, from the Lookout website. It's not showing the location, not allowing me to issue commands, anything. So I think I am basically screwed. I didn't have a password on it. Tho some of my files are Encrypted. And I had just cleaned out my Call log and SMS log, so that's a plus.
So does Anyone know of anyway to get this Lookout "Find My Droid" feature working? Or am I just gonna have to suck it up and go pay the deductible to get myself my nexus back before i go through SNWS (sudden Nexus Withdrawal Symptoms)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried to Find My Device from LookOut's webpage. Surprisingly, even though my phone was right next to me, connected to WIFI and LTE, it kept saying locating. I then opened the LookOut app and BAM, my phone was found right then and there. For some reason, it seems that LookOut, even with the "Better Missing Device" option checked in under Device Administrators, closes itself and cannot work properly. I just have the regular free version though.
A suggestion for you though @Silicon Knight would be to log into the LookOut website, then to check previous locations. That should leave a pretty good trail up till the last point. I am also assuming that since you don't have a lock, you won't be able to benefit from receiving a picture when the password is entered wrong a few times.
As @Dragn4rce mentioned, login to Android Device Manager and try to locate your phone that way hoping that your phone hasn't already been wiped. Here are two links I'd suggest you try to report your stolen device at :
https://www.fcc.gov/guides/stolen-and-lost-wireless-devices
http://imeidetective.com/
Use android device manager.
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
i always install avast anti-theft it's one of the best anti-theft apps it has format protection you can sms command and it locates with gps it doesnt need wifi or 3g to work all other apps needs internet to work.
If you didn't have a password they probably have powered it off already and you are out of luck. They will probably wipe the device and your data and it will get shipped across seas for sale.
u wiped mssges and call log just before the theft? and few files were encrypted. Sounds too fishy to me!
jags_the1 said:
u wiped mssges and call log just before the theft? and few files were encrypted. Sounds too fishy to me!
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Why would that be fishy?
adio01 said:
If you didn't have a password they probably have powered it off already and you are out of luck. They will probably wipe the device and your data and it will get shipped across seas for sale.
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Click to collapse
or eBay,
I use cerberus on my nexus, I think you need root but I may be wrong, it has loads of options on it such as:
Remote wipe via text, text your phone to enable 3g, take pictures of failed unlocks and it even hides the app so someone can't delete it.
Its similar to lookout but I like it better and it works well.
If you manage to get your phone back it may be worth looking into it, fingers crossed you do get it back :fingers-crossed:
how did they steal it??
The OP hasn't said a single thing since the 26th wth?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Tango down - NSA
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
i'm sorry about that
it happened to me too
we re not alone in this world
keep cool
I haven't said anything cause, A.) I usually post on here via my Smartphone. B.) It's the holidays and am staying at my parents until the 2nd, so I keep getting roped into lil family outings lol And I lost the phone at the bank the other day, I had my cousins dog with me, was trying to keep him in check (he's a pitbull pup and very rambunctious, i don't know why i thought that would be a good idea to bring him to the bank) and I set the phone down to fill out a deposit slip and left it there like a fool. I've never lost or had a phone stolen in my life. But I guess it happens to everyone at least once...or at least most people.
I am going down to get a new Nexus 5 tomorrow. Filed a Police Report, did all that I could. In the end someone got a mint condition nexus 5, for the 5 finger discount price of FREE !
and yea, why would it be fishy that I wipe my SMS and Call Logs lol I flash lots of custom roms and I don't ever back SMS/Call Logs, never had a need to, so they get wiped every time i switch to something new, or if I restore a nandroid, then I have old messages and call logs so I wipe them myself.
Anyways, thanks for the advice peeps. Cerberus sounds like the way to go. Lookout is pretty similar but the ability to hide the app itself so it cannot be removed except by the owner, is pretty damn cool, and wins my vote.
Please ignore this post. Replied from phone and didn't emerge last part of thread.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Don't feel bad. I've done FAR worse. I lost my phone at a strip club before. It was in my pocket and I'm guessing the stripper popped it out when she was grinding on my pants. I tracked it, and it showed that it was still in the strip club, so I went back to look inside for it, but I couldn't find it. I'm guessing someone "found" it.
I leave my phone in the car now.
nerv8765 said:
Don't feel bad. I've done FAR worse. I lost my phone at a strip club before. It was in my pocket and I'm guessing the stripper popped it out when she was grinding on my pants. I tracked it, and it showed that it was still in the strip club, so I went back to look inside for it, but I couldn't find it. I'm guessing someone "found" it.
I leave my phone in the car now.
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Click to collapse
haha, that's funny, that sucks of course, but yea, you know what i mean lol
This is the first Time I've ever lost a phone or had one stolen. I lost my pager once when i was like 14 my mom got me one. I wanted a cellphone but they were hella expensive back then. That's back when my mom was on Voicestream lol The prices they charged for cell service in the 90's made Verizon look like its cheaper then foodstamps haha So she got me a pager from a company (think they may still be around) called "Cook Paging" I had it for like 2 weeks, and somehow on the way home from my GF's house (who was like the only one who ever paged me, besides my mom lol) I lost it.

Stolen....AGAIN

for the 2nd time in less then 2months, my nexus 5 was friggin stolen today. The first time, while i was pretty upset, I turned it into a positive, cause I wanted the White one in the first place, and I ended up being able ot get a brand new white one as a replacement. but this time, I am sooooo damn pissed. My replacement (another 100$ later) will be here in 3-5days, and this time, I am like chaining that thing to me.
My damn GF left it sitting at the table in McDonalds. She was supposed to grab our stuff, while I put our garbage in the bin and went and started the car, about 5min after leaving, i asked for my phone....no phone, turn around go back, NO PHONE !
And at least last time I had my LG G2 as a backup phone so I had something nice to use while I waited for a replacement. But I since have sold the G2, and all I ahve is a Verizon Galaxy S3, which doesn't help me at all cause my Verizon account was closed back when the Nexus 5 came out cause I wanted that phone so bad, that I switched to T-Mobile. So now I got nothing but hte home phone, which today was the first time I've used a home phone in years, it was kinda weird lol.
Anyways, obviously this isn't a question or anything, and I apologize to the Mods for that, but this is the only site in which I can talk about what happened and have people know my pain, and I needed to vent, cause twice in less then 60 days is friggin BS to the 10th power. I've never lost a phone or had one stolen or even had to file a claim for phone insurance, in all the years of owning phones, which I am going on 10years (first phone when i was 17, and am 27 now)....I swear ! if someone takes my next Nexus 5, I am going postal up in whatever place it was that I had it taken from. lol
Sorry to hear about this, very unfortunate. Any luck tracking the device using the find my phone feature? Clutch your new phones tightly folks.
Damn man.. I feel for you. That sucks big time I would be so pissed if my gf left my phone at McDonalds lol. Hopefully you have better luck on the next one mate!
By the way, prepare for some random douche coming in to be an ass to you for posting this story
Dang. That sucks dude. I got mugged for my HTC one a couple weeks ago. Couldn't afford to buy another so went with the nexus 5. No brained really. This phone is awesome. Not missing the one too much. I gotta tell you tho. At least you lost it and didn't get a knife or worse pulled out. For future reference kit Kat has location always on. Even with the low accuracy setting, you should be able to find it with lookout if installed but I highly recommend android device manager. You'll find it in the play store.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
whozilla said:
Dang. That sucks dude. I got mugged for my HTC one a couple weeks ago. Couldn't afford to buy another so went with the nexus 5. No brained really. This phone is awesome. Not missing the one too much. I gotta tell you tho. At least you lost it and didn't get a knife or worse pulled out. For future reference kit Kat has location always on. Even with the low accuracy setting, you should be able to find it with lookout if installed but I highly recommend android device manager. You'll find it in the play store.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
damn. I am assuming you weren't able to use a FIND MY PHONE type app either ? My T-Mobile protection plan comes with a premium account for Lookout mobile, which when it works is great, but if they take out the simcard and reset it, before you can locate it, its useless. Last time, i wasn't able to do it either, but that was cause like 2 hours before it got jacked I had just factory reset/wiped system, to install a test build of a ROM I've been working on (first ROM I've done that wasn't based of CM or AOSPA, building this one straight from stock AOSP source, just like the Nexus stock firmware is. And adding my own features instead of using others. Tho I did add Halo, cause i love that feature lol as well as app bar, which works in tandem if you set it up right. But enough OT lol) So yea, since I had just flashed that, and was test driving it, didn't have Device Manager or Lookout installed. This time, it just didn't work.
I am really sorry to hear that happened to you bro. I remember back when FIND MY PHONE apps were first becoming relevant, this dude here in Seattle was mugged and they took his iPhone 3G (think it was the 3GS actually) and he had the official iPhone one (which is through iCloud now, I have it for my iPad AIR, which OT again, is my first iOS device since my 4th Gen iPod touch, and I will never be an iPhone guy, but I am loving the iPad. I want that damn 12.1 Note Pro tho lol) and he was able to get the GPS data (which was all that it did back then, as well as Wipe, the Scream feature, and Lock, didn't have signal flare or Lock Cam, etc etc, like we do now) and he gave it to the SPD, and they were able to track it back to both suspects, retrieve the phone, all the money minus 12.59$ and the rest of the wallet contents as well as his jewelry. that was the incident that made the popularity of those apps take off, while also showing the need for such apps, and the need for better refinement of their functionality etc etc.
They need to find a way around people being able to shut it off. There has to be some type of feature that makes it so there is absolutely no way for them to take wipe the phone without A.) the password, which already exists as a feature B.) a special docking device or Computer USB cable that enables the Wipe feature (albeit, this could be bypassed via custom recovery I guess) and finally C.) bringing it to the phones carrier and proving ownership, etc etc. The simcard being removed should have nothing to do with it. But apparently removing that, and wiping the device negates the whole purpose of that feature. So what can you really do.
People are dumb, Steal a phone and within seconds you can wipe and remove simcard, and then the only thing the owner can do is report it and blacklist it, which even then can be gone around if you know how to use the proper JTAG device or if you plan on selling it, or using it, overseas. cause their blacklists obviously don't coincide with our's here in the US. I personally had a friend who legitimately bought an S4 for T-Mobile, and then the dude (this was through craigslist, another reason why swappa is better, so there is accountability at least and proof of purchase and authorized sale of said device) reported the device lost or stolen within minutes of the sale. So he gets the money, and a replacement phone and my buddy is screwed. But he found someone with a JTAG device that rewrote the IMEI (WHICH I do not condone, and is actually ILLEGAL, only mentioning it as part of this topic) and he is still using it on T-Mobile today.
How did you get a replacement? Was it from Google?
Sent from my NeXus 5
Just checked my email, and found two things that made me even more upset about this. First one was a notification of a PM here on XDA from the Dev's of Nameless ROM, responding to my request to be a Mainter for the Nexus 5 version of their ROM. which I've been wanting to do for awhile now, to help learn more about Development while also giving back to the community in whatever way I can until I finish my own ROM and App.
Second, was an Email from someone who must of seen my request on Google+, about getting an Invite to the new Aviate Launcher beta, which I've been intrigued by for quite sometime, and finally got my invite code. No phone to use it on. I have an S3 from my Verizon days, that I keep for backup, but pointless sine I dont have verizon now, and for the life of me can't find the battery for haha. Hopefully my friend can find the T-Mobile version of the S3 he has, and said I could use til my replacement got back .I always liked the S3, and my S4,. and especially my Note 3 (want that damn 12.1 Note Pro...already said thta tho haha) the only thing I liked better was the Nexus 5. The G2 would be my 2nd fave if it wasn't for that damn UI of theirs which is a obvious kang of TouchWiz, but dont wrong, and bloated up even more so. Which TouchWiz is already pretty damn heavy and resource hungry, well from time with the G2 as secondary device before giving it to one of my bandmates, I can tell you, it is bogged down soooooo much. That UI is holding that device back from being an top 5 android phone. But that camera is one of the best. Which reminds me of how much I want the 1020 or 1520 to come out on T-Mobile, cause I want that camera and I also want to try out a WP, but all the ones on T-Mobile are crap. Anyways......Stupid theives, ruinned my day. I wanna try AVIATE so bad.
Guess I can give invites now, so if anyone wants one , post here and let me know and your wish shall be granted......if you post a video of you doing a double backflip and saying my username 3 times fast.....haha, that would make this day better for me too
Silicon Knight said:
Just checked my email, and found two things that made me even more upset about this. First one was a notification of a PM here on XDA from the Dev's of Nameless ROM, responding to my request to be a Mainter for the Nexus 5 version of their ROM. which I've been wanting to do for awhile now, to help learn more about Development while also giving back to the community in whatever way I can until I finish my own ROM and App.
Second, was an Email from someone who must of seen my request on Google+, about getting an Invite to the new Aviate Launcher beta, which I've been intrigued by for quite sometime, and finally got my invite code. No phone to use it on. I have an S3 from my Verizon days, that I keep for backup, but pointless sine I dont have verizon now, and for the life of me can't find the battery for haha. Hopefully my friend can find the T-Mobile version of the S3 he has, and said I could use til my replacement got back .I always liked the S3, and my S4,. and especially my Note 3 (want that damn 12.1 Note Pro...already said thta tho haha) the only thing I liked better was the Nexus 5. The G2 would be my 2nd fave if it wasn't for that damn UI of theirs which is a obvious kang of TouchWiz, but dont wrong, and bloated up even more so. Which TouchWiz is already pretty damn heavy and resource hungry, well from time with the G2 as secondary device before giving it to one of my bandmates, I can tell you, it is bogged down soooooo much. That UI is holding that device back from being an top 5 android phone. But that camera is one of the best. Which reminds me of how much I want the 1020 or 1520 to come out on T-Mobile, cause I want that camera and I also want to try out a WP, but all the ones on T-Mobile are crap. Anyways......Stupid theives, ruinned my day. I wanna try AVIATE so bad.
Guess I can give invites now, so if anyone wants one , post here and let me know and your wish shall be granted......if you post a video of you doing a double backflip and saying my username 3 times fast.....haha, that would make this day better for me too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love an invite. Sorry bout your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app
My damn GF left it sitting at the table in McDonalds.
does this count as stolen? well i know what i would do (hand it back) but this was just a unlucky situation.... and i hope you learned your lesson here bro...
GL
Silicon Knight said:
damn. I am assuming you weren't able to use a FIND MY PHONE type app either ? My T-Mobile protection plan comes with a premium account for Lookout mobile, which when it works is great, but if they take out the simcard and reset it, before you can locate it, its useless. Last time, i wasn't able to do it either, but that was cause like 2 hours before it got jacked I had just factory reset/wiped system, to install a test build of a ROM I've been working on (first ROM I've done that wasn't based of CM or AOSPA, building this one straight from stock AOSP source, just like the Nexus stock firmware is. And adding my own features instead of using others. Tho I did add Halo, cause i love that feature lol as well as app bar, which works in tandem if you set it up right. But enough OT lol) So yea, since I had just flashed that, and was test driving it, didn't have Device Manager or Lookout installed. This time, it just didn't work.
I am really sorry to hear that happened to you bro. I remember back when FIND MY PHONE apps were first becoming relevant, this dude here in Seattle was mugged and they took his iPhone 3G (think it was the 3GS actually) and he had the official iPhone one (which is through iCloud now, I have it for my iPad AIR, which OT again, is my first iOS device since my 4th Gen iPod touch, and I will never be an iPhone guy, but I am loving the iPad. I want that damn 12.1 Note Pro tho lol) and he was able to get the GPS data (which was all that it did back then, as well as Wipe, the Scream feature, and Lock, didn't have signal flare or Lock Cam, etc etc, like we do now) and he gave it to the SPD, and they were able to track it back to both suspects, retrieve the phone, all the money minus 12.59$ and the rest of the wallet contents as well as his jewelry. that was the incident that made the popularity of those apps take off, while also showing the need for such apps, and the need for better refinement of their functionality etc etc.
They need to find a way around people being able to shut it off. There has to be some type of feature that makes it so there is absolutely no way for them to take wipe the phone without A.) the password, which already exists as a feature B.) a special docking device or Computer USB cable that enables the Wipe feature (albeit, this could be bypassed via custom recovery I guess) and finally C.) bringing it to the phones carrier and proving ownership, etc etc. The simcard being removed should have nothing to do with it. But apparently removing that, and wiping the device negates the whole purpose of that feature. So what can you really do.
People are dumb, Steal a phone and within seconds you can wipe and remove simcard, and then the only thing the owner can do is report it and blacklist it, which even then can be gone around if you know how to use the proper JTAG device or if you plan on selling it, or using it, overseas. cause their blacklists obviously don't coincide with our's here in the US. I personally had a friend who legitimately bought an S4 for T-Mobile, and then the dude (this was through craigslist, another reason why swappa is better, so there is accountability at least and proof of purchase and authorized sale of said device) reported the device lost or stolen within minutes of the sale. So he gets the money, and a replacement phone and my buddy is screwed. But he found someone with a JTAG device that rewrote the IMEI (WHICH I do not condone, and is actually ILLEGAL, only mentioning it as part of this topic) and he is still using it on T-Mobile today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I got mugged I wasn't using any of the find my phone apps. I feel like I use them now out of paranoia but I don't feel 100% secure. Is it the best best? I think so. The device manager is good when couples with kit Kat. The best iv seen so far. As you can imagine, when I picked up my n5 I simulated the device being stollen. I had my girlfriend take the phone for a walk. She powered it off. Then on. It gave me her location for both moments and I had the option to wipe. Will I find my phone? Probably not but its better than being paranoid. I wish there was a way to activate tracking regardless of phone on or off or reset. It should be a system setting that locks the feature in once you report it lost or stolen. If the NSA can do it. Why can't we?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
helstonrampersad said:
How did you get a replacement? Was it from Google?
Sent from my NeXus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I go through T-mobile for service, but my friend had an upgrade he wasn't going to use, cause he has the HTC One Max that he bought outright and doesn't wanna change anytime soon (plus he owed me money) so he let me use it, and I got the White Nexus 5 for 49.99$ so technically I still have a claim (still good for a lil over 30 days, they give you 60days to pay teh deductible once the claim is approved) that I can use to get one. That deductible is 90$ (when I lost my Note 3, OMG they wanted like 175$) so I can get two Nexus 5's. So this time, I believe I will pay both deductibles when i get paid next week, then sell both, buy a 32GB white one from Google, and then use the rest too pay that months bill on T-mobile !
Then if it happens again, I am gonna be pissed, cause I don't think I will be able to file another claim. Don't even know if sprint or T-mobile or AT&T etc etc, offer insurance if you buy the phone from Google instead of them. Which is a good question, if anyone happens to know the answer to it, please let me know. Or else I will google it, and I don't wanna google it, cause I am in the midst of a 40day 40day, vow of no-googlesearch. Not joking. I've always been pretty good at comprehension, reading and vocabulary skills (music being my main skill, since it was a skill my parents and family nurtured from a young age. Played my first guitar solo back when the guitar was still taller then me lol) And my parents always made me look things up when i asked what a word meant extra, but now google has made us, especially me, lazy. So i wanna prove that I can still function intelligently without using Google to answer unknown questions, by instead researching by talking to people experience in whatever subject etc etc. This may sound so dumb to many of you, but I think it's a good idea to do at least once after being the first generation raised on the Internet (I am 27 and I've had an email since I was 10yrs old lol)
OT - (not that this whole thing has not become OT, I am just so damn bored without my phone right now, homealone for the night, GF at work, and no band pratice, this is normally phone mod and/or dev time, but I need my phone for that, tho i could do some work on my App without it, but that makes me sad right now, cause i want my phone haha)......ANYWAYS - I've yet to meet a single other musician, let alone, a Guitarist, on this Site and I've been a member since 2011. If anyone who see's this is a Musician, especially a Guitarist and Producer/Engineer (just graduated Music School, Music Production/Audio Engineering & Music Theory/General Music) say wats up in here, and let me know I am not the only Musician who's a closet tech/android/computer geek lol
Silicon Knight said:
.ANYWAYS - I've yet to meet a single other musician, let alone, a Guitarist, on this Site and I've been a member since 2011. If anyone who see's this is a Musician, especially a Guitarist and Producer/Engineer (just graduated Music School, Music Production/Audio Engineering & Music Theory/General Music) say wats up in here, and let me know I am not the only Musician who's a closet tech/android/computer geek lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also a musician/guitarist/vocalist/percussionist/pianist that dabbles in sound engineering. I'm not going to school for that sort of thing, but it's still a huge chunk of my life, and I also spend a lot of time messing around with Android.
You know what I just realized? Girlfriends and nexus devices don't mix. My girlfriend stepped on my N7 and shattered the digitizer. LCD is still good tho. This was about a month ago. I'll replace it myself. Just too busy with my N5
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Device Manager comes enabled by default. You should be able to log into your google account and find the location or lock or wipe the phone from your pc. Just google Device Manager
Look into the app called Cerberus.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus
Flash the hidden version from the following link via a custom recovery:
https://www.cerberusapp.com/download.php
It'll survive a factory reset, email you the info from any unauthorized SIM card someone puts into it (including the phone number, service provider, & subscriber ID), and as long as the phone has service you can still control it (lock it with a pin, ...) through text messages (no internet connection required).
Also, the paid license is valid for up to 4 (maybe 5) devices. I have it installed on my girlfriend's, brother's, mother's, and my phone. As far as those apps go, it's the best I've found.
Better luck in the future
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Don't mean to sound rude, and it's harsh it went missing, but why did you 1. Leave your phone on the table in a public space, and 2. rely on your girlfriend to pick it up? My phone is in my pocket unless it's in my hand or on my work desk. I would never leave it in the open for anyone to take. Maybe I'm just less trusting of those around me but at least you're insurance covered things to an extent. Lesson learnt (I hope)
Same thought here, why would you ever leave your device on the table ? I´m not paranoid, I use a antitheft app just in case I somehow manage to lose my device.
What also seems to help against muggers or similar bad dudes is a rather "ugly" or very plain and simple looking case. A Spigen Slim Armor "smooth black" is a nice case but it also makes your phone look from far away as being a cheap, generic smartphone
EddyOS said:
Don't mean to sound rude, and it's harsh it went missing, but why did you 1. Leave your phone on the table in a public space, and 2. rely on your girlfriend to pick it up? My phone is in my pocket unless it's in my hand or on my work desk. I would never leave it in the open for anyone to take. Maybe I'm just less trusting of those around me but at least you're insurance covered things to an extent. Lesson learnt (I hope)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[RECENTLY OVERHEARD CONVERSATION IN TIMES SQUARE]
A: Can I borrow your phone?
B: Where's yours?
A: I left it on the table in Starbucks for one second, turned around, and it was gone.
B: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
A: I only took two steps away!
B: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
A: Shut up!
B: HAHAHA! You freakin' idiot! HAHAHA!
@Silicon Knight - just out of curiosity, did you contact the McD management to see if their cameras picked up anything? If they are unwilling to discuss, file a police report (if you haven't already done so), and get them to review their recordings
I feel like the average person stealing a phone would not know about android device manager and you could track it.
Ps: This isn't Q&A, Help, and troubleshooting problem.

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