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How to find lost Android devices?
Lost Mode is a critical security feature in Hexnode UEM that allows IT administrators to remotely lock misplaced or stolen Android devices, protecting sensitive corporate data from unauthorized access.
Why Use Android Lost Mode?
When an employee loses a mobile device, corporate data is at risk. Lost Mode acts as a digital barrier, locking the interface and displaying recovery information, while providing the admin with remote tracking and security tools to mitigate data breaches.
Prerequisites
To successfully trigger Lost Mode on an Android or Android TV OS device, ensure the following:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| App Installation | Hexnode UEM app must be installed on the device. |
| Connectivity | The device must have an active Mobile Data or Wi-Fi connection. |
| Management | For Android 10 Go edition, devices must be enrolled in Android Enterprise as Device Owner. |
Manual Activation: Enable and Disable Lost Mode
Administrators can manually trigger or remove Lost Mode for individual devices directly from the UEM console.
1. How to Enable Lost Mode
- Log in to the Hexnode UEM Console.
- Navigate to Manage > Devices and select the target Android device.
- Click on Actions > Security > Enable lost mode.
- Configure the lock screen display:
- Phone Number: Enter a contact number for recovery.
- Message: Enter a short custom message for the lock screen.
- Footnote: Enter a valid footnote.
- Click Continue > Click Yes on the confirmation box.
- Enter your Hexnode account password and click Go.
2. How to Disable Lost Mode
- Navigate to Manage > Devices.
- Select the device and click Actions > Security > Disable lost mode.
- Click Yes on the confirmation prompt.
If a device is disenrolled while in Lost Mode, it will automatically exit this mode.
Automatic Activation: Inactivity Lockdown
Administrators can configure devices to enter Lost Mode automatically based on periods of inactivity.
- Navigate to Admin > General Settings > Android Lost Mode Settings.
- Select Auto Lock Down.
- Set Lock down device after ‘n’ days of inactivity.
- (Optional) Select Show Wi-Fi button or Show mobile data button to allow connectivity adjustments in the launcher.
- Configure the Phone Number, Message, and Foot Note for the automatic lock screen.
- Click Save.
Customizing the Lock Screen with Wildcards
You can use the following wildcards to dynamically populate device or user-specific details on the lock screen:
| Detail Category | Supported Wildcards |
|---|---|
| Lock Screen Message/Footnote | %devicename%, %deviceid%, %username%, %model%, %udid%, %assettag%, %serialnumber%, %name%, %department%, %imei%, %email%, %devicenotes%, %alternateemail%, %phonenumber%, %domain%, %osname%, %wifimacaddress%, %osversion%, %iccid%, %userprincipalname%, %netbiosname%, %newline% |
| Phone Number | %phonenumber% |
Additional Security Measures for Lost Devices
If Lost Mode is insufficient, administrators can leverage these secondary actions:
- Scan Device Location: Navigate to Manage > Devices > [Device Name] > Action > Scan Device Location to fetch real-time GPS coordinates.
- Lock Device: Blocks the user from interacting with the device interface.
- Wipe Device: Restores the device to factory settings. If Hexnode is a System App, Lost Mode will re-activate upon the next internet connection.
- Samsung Knox Restrictions: Disable Power Off: Uncheck Power Off under Policies > Android > Restrictions > Basic.
- Disable USB: Uncheck USB Data Transfer to prevent data extraction.
Troubleshooting Guides
| Problem | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Lost Mode not triggering | Ensure the device is powered on and has an active internet connection. Check Action History to see if the command reached the device. |
| Users cannot connect to Wi-Fi | On Android 10+, users cannot configure new Wi-Fi. Ensure the Show Wi-Fi button is enabled in settings to allow switching between existing networks. |
| Wipe removed Lost Mode | This occurs on standard devices. To persist Lost Mode after a wipe, Hexnode must be installed as a System App or privileged app. |
| Lost Mode persistent after enrollment | Check Admin > General Settings. Ensure Disable ‘Lost Mode’ on ROM enrolled devices is checked if you want it to deactivate post-setup. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to exit Lost Mode if the device is offline?
You must enter the Global Exit Password, which is found in the Hexnode portal under Admin > General Settings > Global Exit Settings (Android).
Can Lost Mode be used on Android TV?
Yes, the Enable/Disable Lost Mode remote action is fully supported on Android TV OS devices.
What happens if a device is disenrolled while it’s in Lost Mode?
Disenrolling a device from the Hexnode portal will immediately command the device to exit Lost Mode.
Is the location tracked automatically in Lost Mode?
No, Lost Mode specifically handles the device lock. You must separately use the Scan Device Location action to retrieve geographical coordinates.
