Overview

The “Find My Device” feature in /e/OS allows users to locate their lost or misplaced devices by sending an SMS with a secret code. Upon receiving the SMS, the device will respond with its current location. This feature is designed to help users find their smartphones when they are lost, but it does not cover scenarios where the device has not been unlocked after reboot or when there is no SIM card (e.g. in cases of theft).

Configuration

From the First Time Setup Wizard

  1. Make sure you have a SIM card in your device or an active eSIM
  2. During the initial setup of your /e/OS device, you will be guided through the “Find My Device” configuration.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your secret code and enable the feature.
  4. Ensure that you keep your secret code confidential to prevent unauthorized access to your device’s location. We advise keeping your secret code in a secure place, such as the Murena Workspace password app (Murena Passwords).
  5. We recommend testing it to ensure it works correctly

From the Settings

  1. Make sure you have a SIM card in your device or an active eSIM
  2. Open the Settings app on your device.
  3. Navigate and select Find My Device.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your secret code and enable the feature.
  5. Ensure that you keep your secret code confidential to prevent unauthorized access to your device’s location. We advise keeping your secret code in a secure place, such as the Murena Workspace password app (Murena Passwords).
  6. We recommend testing it to ensure it works correctly

When enabling Parental Control

  1. Make sure you have a SIM card in your device or an active eSIM
  2. Open the Settings app on your device.
  3. Navigate and select Parental Control
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Parental Control
  5. When prompted to also enable Find My Device tap on Enable now
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your secret code and enable the feature.

Using Find My Device

Sending an SMS

  1. From another device, send an SMS to the phone number of your lost device with the secret code you configured.
  2. The SMS you send to your device should solely contain the secret code.

Receiving the Location

  1. Your lost device will receive the SMS and process the request.
  2. If the secret code is correct, the device will send an SMS back with its current location.
  3. You will receive the location details on the phone from which you sent the SMS.
  4. The SMS contains GPS coordinates and a link to Open Street Map so you can easily see the location on a map.

Changing the Secret Code

You can change your secret code at any time by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Navigate and select Find My Device.
  3. Tap Generate New Code.
  4. Tap on Set.

Limitations

  • The device must be powered on and have network connectivity.
  • The device must have a SIM card inserted or an active eSIM.
  • The device must have been unlocked once after booting.
  • The feature will not work if the device has been rebooted or if the SIM card has been removed or cancelled.

Troubleshooting

  • Device Not Responding: The device doesn’t have network connectivity, or is powered off.
  • Location Accuracy: The accuracy of the location may vary depending on the service. If the location is not accurate enough, try sending another SMS to get an updated location.
  • Unable to Determine Location: If the device has network connectivity but cannot determine its location, it will send back: “Impossible to figure out the current location, please try again.”

Privacy and Security

  • The secret code is stored securely on the device.
  • Location data is only sent in response to an SMS with the correct secret code.
  • Make sure to keep your secret code confidential to prevent unauthorized access to your device’s location. We advise keeping your secret code in a secure place, such as the Murena Workspace password app (Murena Passwords).
  • The source code is available at https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/os/find-my-device