App recommendations for tracking and remote wipe - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

I ran into a problem last week where my girlfriend got her phone stolen. We promptly called AT&T and had them shut it off but it got me thinking about security and recovery apps. The problem was, she didn't have any screen lock set and now whoever had the phone had full access to her private photos and text messages.
I had played around with some "track your phone" apps a few years ago but it was mostly for the fun factor. Now I'm looking for some recommendations from you guys. I know there are a million apps out there that do what I'm trying to do but I want to know what you guys use and trust.
I need the following features.
1. Phone tracking - I'd like to be able to get on either a website or another Android phone (my phone) and pinpoint where the phone currently is. This is important for lost phones and stolen phones.
2. Remote Wipe - If the phone is stolen or unrecoverable, I want the ability to remotely wipe the phone or factory reset it. I don't want anyone getting my personal stuff.
I've heard Lookout a good program but the price is a little high and I believe it's a yearly charge.
3CX has a device manager that looks promising and it's free for up to 5 phones.
Please respond and let me know what your personal experience has been with any of these programs. Hopefully I'll never have to use it but I'd like to have something just in case.

Ceberus is great. Check it out on Google pay. Free for 7 days then a one time fee of around 4 bucks. You can use it on any of your devices without paying again. Also if you have root you can prevent it from being uninstalled with a factory reset.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-GS4 using xda app-developers app

another vote for Cerberus here.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app

3thd recommendation here, Cerberus

Cerberus or AndroidLost. Both are great. Personally I prefer AL though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

AndroidLost (Also free)

Cerberus all the way.
Sent from my I337~SGS 4 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

Lookout Mobile Security.

Cerebrus ftw
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium

Seekdroid?

Cerberus app using since 2 year very use full easy to use.

i use avast and love it

cerebus had free sign ups. best app so far.

Related

Broken phone

Dropped my phone this week, and even though I have a flip case it landed open and face down (sods law), resulting in the screen being smashed and completely unresponsive.
Kind of hoping that the insurer can repair it. Not a big deal as 99% of data on the phone is held in the cloud. The big annoyance for me is if I have to get a new phone I have to start all of my games again from the start. I wish Google would fix this where all app data is genuinely backed up to the cloud, but they don't seem to be in a hurry to do this.
Without rooting are there any apps out there that can do this? Think I know the answer already but just thought I would put it out here.
In the mean time I'm rocking a Nokia 1650
Sent from my MZ604 using xda app-developers app
wilfmoralee said:
Dropped my phone this week, and even though I have a flip case it landed open and face down (sods law), resulting in the screen being smashed and completely unresponsive.
Kind of hoping that the insurer can repair it. Not a big deal as 99% of data on the phone is held in the cloud. The big annoyance for me is if I have to get a new phone I have to start all of my games again from the start. I wish Google would fix this where all app data is genuinely backed up to the cloud, but they don't seem to be in a hurry to do this.
Without rooting are there any apps out there that can do this? Think I know the answer already but just thought I would put it out here.
In the mean time I'm rocking a Nokia 1650
Sent from my MZ604 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need it rooted to gain access to the root partition of the phone, where all the app data is stored. I do not think you can backup any app data without root. You could unlock the bootloader and root it, backup the app data you need, then un-root and re-lock the loader if you're that much against rooting it.
wilfmoralee said:
Dropped my phone this week, and even though I have a flip case it landed open and face down (sods law), resulting in the screen being smashed and completely unresponsive.
Kind of hoping that the insurer can repair it. Not a big deal as 99% of data on the phone is held in the cloud. The big annoyance for me is if I have to get a new phone I have to start all of my games again from the start. I wish Google would fix this where all app data is genuinely backed up to the cloud, but they don't seem to be in a hurry to do this.
Without rooting are there any apps out there that can do this? Think I know the answer already but just thought I would put it out here.
In the mean time I'm rocking a Nokia 1650
Sent from my MZ604 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root makes life so much easier and pleasant mate
You can read data without root, I think?
Sent from my Nexus 4 @1.67 GHz on Stock 4.2.2
I think you can use carbon back up by koush without being rooted. It basically does an adb backup which you can do with out being rooted
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Will give carbon a look when I get my nexus 4 back.
Sent from my MZ604 using xda app-developers app

Left my Note 2 in a taxi, bye bye $700

I don't normally screw up but a few days ago I did it big time. Long story short, I left my Note 2 in a taxi and I have no ability of getting a hold of the driver since I cannot recollect what company I used or what his licence plate was (you guessed it, I was intoxicated).
I did have Samsung Remote Controls installed on my phone but unfortunately I wasn't online when I left it. I had both wifi and data turned off. I also had a screen lock so the would-be thief would not be able to activate internet without first factory resetting everything.
I also tried calling the phone multiple times to no avail because it has been turned off. Is there any way for me to recover the phone or at least wipe it completely? I had an SD card on there with mildly sensitive information, I should have encrypted but did not.
Any ideas for how to wipe/find/recover/block/brick/self-detonate the phone would be greatly appreciated!
Im affraid its gone
as you say it would be factory reset so you cant even remotely install anything. its a real shame.
Google also dont track anything so best you can hope is IMEI to network and police. but chances are it will go abroad
I'm in Thailand and my carrier doesn't block IMEI's for some reason. I also had a 32 gig SD card in there from Sandisk, epic fail!!!! :crying:
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is so great that you should pass the greatness of it forward.
did you set up your samsung account on it? the chances are bad but you should try locating it from here
Even though its too late now. Few things You Can learn from this . 1. Use the Cerbus APP its Much better than and theft APP as it Can survive A full Wipe . Also, always Keep your internet on
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
^^ With Cerbrus you could actually turn on your data remotly via SMS.
MohJee said:
^^ With Cerbrus you could actually turn on your data remotly via SMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow ! Didnt know that good to know
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Android Lost is the best app I have found for the purposes you need...
Sorry ....! For ur loss wish u got avast antivirus would had tracked last location...with antitheft ...I track my girls phone in india....if guy nt that smart for g note 2 ..after reset its imbeded
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
What a bummer... maybe it might be returned to you ?
Not sure if that will help but on the GN2 under settings > security you have an option called find my mobile Web page. If you login with ur samsung acc, you would be able to locate ur phone and do few other stuff.
GL :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda app-developers app
Sorry for the loss
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb
Have you tried plan b from lookout labs? If he hasn't wiped your phone you should be able to relocate the phone regardless if gps or wifi is off.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium

sold phone without wipiing

hey guys so as the title says, i sold my phone without wiping and left my google logged in. is there a way i can remotely wipe it?
There might be. If you enabled it before you sold it.
Go to google.com and then go to the google play store.
Click the little gear on the upper right side. and then click android management.
When there, there is an option to remotely wipe the phone.
However, you must have enabled it on the phone before you sold it.
This is the only way, unless you physically have the phone or nicely ask the guy. Otherwise, just change your google password.
And hope you did not store pictures and other confidential software on it. Good luck.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Atrixn00b said:
hey guys so as the title says, i sold my phone without wiping and left my google logged in. is there a way i can remotely wipe it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Device Manager
Change your Google password first of all
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
If you had a corporate exchange account, then go to the corprorate email client on a laptop adn there under options you will find a way to wipe the entire device. This is if you had a corporate exchange account put in.
My nexus s got stolen a couple of weeks ago. I can't remotely wipe it but device manager let's me ring it. Especially in the middle of the night
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
pepdavies said:
My nexus s got stolen a couple of weeks ago. I can't remotely wipe it but device manager let's me ring it. Especially in the middle of the night
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can ring it, then you can locate it via gps.
It says location not available
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Nexus detected by anti theft security system

Odd things happen lately, no matter where I go with my nexus 4 anti theft systems at local stores like JC penny, Macy, old navy. Once I enter the store, the anti theft system beeps what the f**k? Or I leave the store. Anybody experiencing this?
I definitely can't say that I have
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Its annoying
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Happens to me all the time. Thought it might be NFC but its off; it bugs the heck out of me
Anybody have solutions?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
First time I've ever heard of that.
Sent with my Nexus® 10 minus 3
Am I getting tracked?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
kitila said:
Happens to me all the time. Thought it might be NFC but its off; it bugs the heck out of me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, I don't think it's NFC, the maximum range is roughly around 10 cm, which is relatively short.
But what makes your think it's the Nexus that is triggering the alarm?
Well thought it was my vape at first. Its the phone in my op cuz happens to me and the wife she is stock I'm rooted. And its the only thing I'm my pocket when it happens JC Penny's old navy ross's k mart Walmart . its weird
Never had this happen nowhere in Germany. However I bought some boots once and months later in a random store the alarms went off. Showed one shoe was not unlocked when I bought it
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Probably restore stock settings and lock my phone?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It does it to me on my rooted and my wife's stock nexus
This has never happened to me with either of my phones (N4 running AOSP custom rom or Atrix HD running CM11) or any of my past phones (iPhone 3GS jailbroken, Atrix 4G CM10), but my Surface Pro 2 does set off those things when going into my school library
nexus-4 said:
Odd things happen lately, no matter where I go with my nexus 4 anti theft systems at local stores like JC penny, Macy, old navy. Once I enter the store, the anti theft system beeps what the f**k? Or I leave the store. Anybody experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The solution would probably be to stop hiding under your clothes the T-shirt that you grabbed from previous store!!
That would stop the noise ?
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
RASTAVIPER said:
The solution would probably be to stop hiding under your clothes the T-shirt that you grabbed from previous store!!
That would stop the noise ?
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying I'm stealing? Excuse me please i had nothing on me except my wallet and phone. Understand what I said before open ur big fat mouth please don't be a jerk.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you can't get a bit of humour, then don't talk at all.
Unleashed by my Nexus 4
RASTAVIPER said:
If you can't get a bit of humour, then don't talk at all.
Unleashed by my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you like getting accused of something u havent done? Funny? If u don't know the solution opening ur mouth doesn't make u a genius. i'm pissed I can't find solution like other guy with whatever nfc is. Please take your humor somewhere else. Alright? Thx.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hey guys did you find a solution for this issue, i am getting the same thing getting out of walmart WTF it happes all the time now.
i use CM11 lattest nightly.
and is like he is saying first i tough somebody forgot to take the damm sensor out but then i notice that i go by my self just me and my phone and the damm thing goes off i even asked my son to by him self and then take my phone and go ture it, as soon as he goes with my phone bang... alarm goes off.
it never happend before but it started a couple of weeks ago.
a friend of my told me that the wireless charger can cause this do you use the wireless charger? stooping to think about my issues started after i start to use it.
any coments on that guys?

Cerberus is free for the next 30 hours....

Awesome anti theft app. Well worth the asking price, but it is free for the next 30 hours:
https://plus.google.com/+CerberusappAndroid/posts/WEZStoxX1nM
It's a must have app. Well worth the money when not on sale!
Thx
Enviado do meu Nexus 5 através de Tapatalk
Thanks nice app!
The Nexus 5 advocate (Team Inferno)
When I got my nexus they blacklisted my s4 so now my roommate can't even use it -.- crappy customer service as well. Its unfortunate
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
The link is giving 404 Not Found Error
Edit: Never mind, got it from Play Store.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
The link works fine for me. Thx for the info, i will try this app.
What does this do that the Google built in device manager doesn't? I thought you could track, wipe, and sound an alert with what's built in to android. Why do I want this (sincerely asking)?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
compuw22c said:
What does this do that the Google built in device manager doesn't? I thought you could track, wipe, and sound an alert with what's built in to android. Why do I want this (sincerely asking)?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read up on the features it can do so much more like taking screenshots or activating back or front camera if someone has stolen ur phone you can even activate wifi or location through sms so IMHO far better than android device manager
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
compuw22c said:
What does this do that the Google built in device manager doesn't? I thought you could track, wipe, and sound an alert with what's built in to android. Why do I want this (sincerely asking)?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
android manager only works when your account is in use. Consider your phone is stolen and you used a wipe. Now your account information is removed and Google device manager is now useless.
There are lot of differences. I use avast anti theft rooted. My phone was stolen and I was able to track it, control it and eventually got it back after 4 weeks.
What you can do with this app which adm can't
Use sms commands to control your phone
Block Uninstall manager and/or settings page remotely
Whenever a new sim card is inserted you will be notified. This is most useful feature.
Force data and gps connection remotely. The other user can't turn it off.
In my personal opinion, you can't prevent theft.. If you lock down your phone (what you can do in adm) after that, the thief knows there is something wrong, and he may flash new firmware. But these app allow to silently track the phone which gives more power to locate the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Definitely this is a very very useful app, hope the thief doesn't know the loop holes.
toxicpaulution said:
When I got my nexus they blacklisted my s4 so now my roommate can't even use it -.- crappy customer service as well. Its unfortunate
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explain, man? This is huge.

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