# 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?**
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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**
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To successfully trigger Lost Mode on an Android or Android TV OS device, ensure the following:

RequirementDetail**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**
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Administrators can manually trigger or remove Lost Mode for individual devices directly from the UEM console.

### **1. How to Enable Lost Mode**

1. Log in to the **Hexnode UEM Console**.
2. Navigate to **Manage > Devices** and select the target Android device.
3. Click on **Actions > Security > Enable lost mode**.
4. 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.
5. Click **Continue** > Click **Yes** on the confirmation box.
6. Enter your **Hexnode account password** and click **Go**.

### **2. How to Disable Lost Mode**

1. Navigate to **Manage > Devices**.
2. Select the device and click **Actions > Security > Disable lost mode**.
3. Click **Yes** on the confirmation prompt.

 Note: 
If a device is disenrolled while in Lost Mode, it will automatically exit this mode.

 

**Automatic Activation: Inactivity Lockdown**
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Administrators can configure devices to enter Lost Mode automatically based on periods of inactivity.

1. Navigate to **Admin > General Settings > Android Lost Mode Settings**.
2. Select **Auto Lock Down**.
3. Set **Lock down device after ‘n’ days of inactivity**.
4. (Optional) Select **Show Wi-Fi button** or **Show mobile data button** to allow connectivity adjustments in the launcher.
5. Configure the **Phone Number**, **Message**, and **Foot Note** for the automatic lock screen.
6. Click **Save**.

**Customizing the Lock Screen with Wildcards**
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You can use the following wildcards to dynamically populate device or user-specific details on the lock screen:

Detail CategorySupported 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**
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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**
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ProblemResolution**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.U**sers 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)**
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#### **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.