You can now remotely set a new password, erase data and ring your Android phone ▐ security for free

IN IN IN IN

I'm talking about a little thing called Android Device Manager. The feature, announced earlier this month, lets you easily find, ring, and even remotely reset your Android device from any phone, tablet, or computer.
Up till now, you'd have had to go out of your way to install (and sometimes pay for) a third-party utility in order to get such functionality. Now it's built right into Android, whether you realize it or not -- and it's always ready and available, with no added apps or running services required.
It took a little while for Android Device Manager to roll out to everyone, but so long as you're running the now-ancient Android 2.2 or higher, it's patiently waiting for you this very minute. In order to unlock its full potential, though, there's something you need to do.

Read how to set up Googles new android manager

Turn on Android Device Manager

Note: If you’re using a tablet with multiple users, only the tablet owner can manage the settings for Android Device Manager.
  1. Open  Google Settings from your device’s apps menu.
  2. Touch Android Device Manager.
You can turn on the following options:
  • Remotely locate this device. Remotely locate a device and find its approximate location on Google Maps. For devices running 4.1 and higher, location access must also be enabled. To turn it on, go to Google Settings > Location > Access location.
  • Allow remote factory reset. Remotely erase all data on your device. Touch this option, then select Activate to turn on the device administrator.

Use Android Device Manager

  1. Sign in to your Google Account on android.com/devicemanager. If you're using a Google Apps account, you will sign in to your My Devices page.
    All devices associated with your Google Account receive a notification to enable it if it’s turned off.
  2. If you have more than one device, select the arrow next to the device name to change it. To rename the device, use the  Edit icon.
When your device is located, its approximate location is indicated by a blue circle on the map. The device manager also displays the name of the place where the device is located, the time it was located, and when it was last used.
Important: Android Device Manager doesn’t collect a location history or do background location reporting. Your device’s approximate location is requested when you first sign in, and this location data is deleted when you sign out of the device manager. If the device is turned off or offline, Google is unable to report its location.
You can select the following options:
  • Ring. Ring your device at full volume for 5 minutes - even if it’s set to silent or vibrate.
  • Erase. Perform a factory reset, which permanently deletes all of your data.
If your Android device doesn't appear in Android Device Manager, or if you see Unknown location despite your device being online and running Google Play services version 3.2.25 or higher, follow these steps:
  1. Open  Google Settings from your device's apps menu.
  2. Touch Android Device Manager.
  3. Uncheck Allow remote factory reset.
  4. Go to your device's main Settings menu, then touch Apps > All > Google Play services.
  5. Touch Clear Data. Note that this action doesn't remove personal data.
  6. Go back to Google Settings and select Allow remote factory reset.
  7. Restart your device.
Once your device restarts, wait around five minutes and refreshandroid.com/devicemanager.

Devices that are offline or powered off

If your device is offline, Android Device Manager won’t be able to ring or erase the device until there’s a mobile data or Wi-Fi connection. Select Erase in advance, and your device’s data is deleted when it’s back online.
Android Device Manager won’t work for devices that are powered off.