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2012 Nexus 7 Discussion Forums (1st Generation) => Nexus 7 General Discussion => Topic started by: JCT718 on October 10, 2012, 03:21:28 PM

Title: Lost Nexus 7 Question
Post by: JCT718 on October 10, 2012, 03:21:28 PM
I recently left my nearly-new tablet on a plane (d'oh....).  While I wait for my various lost & found claims to work their way through the airline systems, I was wondering: Since the Nexus 7 is registered to my Google account and I can see it on my Google Dashboard and that there has been no activity since it was lost, will I know if it was "picked up" by someone else?  i.e. Will it disappear from my dashboard once someone else decides to hard reset and use it?
Title: Re: Lost Nexus 7 Question
Post by: optimalbeast on October 11, 2012, 01:39:08 PM
First, change your Google password immediately, along with any passwords on other services that you may have associated with the tablet (e.g. bank app, corporate email, Wallet, Facebook, etc.).  Use 2-step validation when you can.

Second, you will only be able to find it if you had location services on.  When you first setup the tablet, it asked you for permission.  You could have also changed it after setup by going into the device settings.  Besides the general Google location services, your GPS will make it a lot easier to locate if it was turned on at the time you left it.

Third, check your location history on Google dashboard.  If the WiFi is on, and you had the proper settings for reporting location history on the tablet, you might be able to determine the location of the device depending on the activity on the tablet.  (E.g. someone opens Chrome, Maps or another app that is connected to your Google account that requests device location).

Next device, I advise the following:
1.  As I said above, use 2-step verification for Google and other accounts.

2. Use a PIN or a Pattern lock so that if someone steals/you lose the device, they are locked out and can't use it.

3.  Use the Encrypt data tool to protect files in your tablet should someone be able to access your device anyway.

4.  Get an app that is specifically designed to help you locate lost or stolen devices.

5.  Never let your device out of sight.  :-)