kwest12

I’d like to start a discussion of the various lost phone apps. Ideally I’d like to do a comprehensive comparison of the current competitors and make a full excel sheet for the various capabilities. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to do that, so I’m going to ask folks to weigh in about their experiences.



I have searched around and asked other users which lost phone app is the best. Based on my reading and interactions I have compiled the following list. If you want to recommend an app not on the list, please be VERY detailed. I feel that I've captured the best bets in my list and that hapharzdly recommending other apps could derail this thread.

• AndroidLost (Free)
• avast! Mobile Security (Free)
• Cerberus anti theft (Paid)
• PhoneLocator Pro (Paid)
• SeekDroid (Paid)
• Where’s My Droid (Free)

Sure there are others like Lookout, Lost Phone, etc, etc, etc but based on what I’ve seen, they do not have as much functionality as the ones listed above. I have also eliminated apps for lack of description, low ratings and lack of support. If you lose your phone (or have it stolen), you don’t want the app that could save it being limited in functionality or not having proper support. You want an app with plentiful options designed specifically for that situation and you want it to do its job quickly and without hassle.


I’d love to get an in-depth discussion going here. What I’m talking about is much more than “This app is good. Try it, you’ll love it.” That type of a review is the stuff you put in the market comments. Here, we’re looking for something more. Here is an example of the type of detail we’re looking for:


Thanks in advance for your participation!

Gekko

Five Best Phone Recovery Tools

kwest12

While I appreciate your participation, that article is almost a year old, it includes iOS apps and it lists Prey and Lookout which aren't even in the same league as the ones I listed.

Hook

Seems a little odd for you to be laying down ground rules that you yourself can't be bothered with. Why are the ones you listed the best of the best? Why do others like Lookout fall short?

And, who, by he way, are"we?"

Not much of a discussion.

Adauth

Cerberus.

kwest12

To save ppl time, I've omitted all of the background research I've done. To get to this point I've done about 3 to 5 hours of searching and reading. I've read other's independent reviews, articles, market descriptions, developer websites and in-market reviews.

I've laid down ground rules because I'm interested in having a focused, detailed discussion about the apps I've identified as the best of the best. I have no interest in rehashing information I already know and I'm hoping by eliminating discussion of other apps I'm saving other ppl time too.

Still, I've given users the opportunity to discuss other apps outside of those I've listed, but only if they have a very good reason, which I've requested they describe.

I also have no need for voting. If I want votes I can post a poll. Voting or mentioning your favorite app tells me nothing about the quality of that app. There are plenty of instances that the most used product is certainly not the best product.

Lookout was eliminated because it doesn't appear to have anywhere near as many lost/stolen recovery features as the other apps I've listed. I've looked at the description on market, the Lookout website and in reviews like the one that the user posted in the comment immediately above you. The developers of Lookout are quite verbal and like to show off their features publicly whenever they get a chance. The conspicuous lack of info about these features indicates to me that it doesn't have that many lost/stolen phone features. This makes sense because Lookout is a malware app before anything else.

The "we" I used was the proverbial we that people sometimes use to as a novelty. I'm not referring to a team of people, I'm just screwing around with the English language. In other words, it's just me.

Hope this answers your questions sufficiently.

Last edited by kwest12; July 9th, 2012 at 08:55 AM.

Misklin

I think this is a great idea for a thread especially as I am currently looking for the best stolen phone app I can. Having had a phone stolen in the past and not having this kind of app I can't stress enough how useful this is. Plus it will help making muggers think twice if they know they can be tracked.

Please read the BBC article to see just how useful this can be: BBC News - Inside a knife-point mugging

I for one would appreciate a full write up of each of these apps.

monicakm

I had Lookout on my phone (still do) but decided to give Avast a try since it seems to "have it all". Can't use the Anti-Theft feature. It won't activate because of a Verizon program called Verizon Remote Diagnostics. Avast suggests you uninstall it and leads you thru the steps to do so. It won't uninstall. So, kwest12 have you tried Avast Anti-Theft on your phone and does it work? All my findings on line say the app can't be uninstalled. Verizon says it can't be uninstalled and I certainly can't find a way to do it. I'm open for suggestions tho!
Monica/Droid Razr w/ ICE

kwest12

I haven't tried avast out yet personally but perhaps I can still be of some help. If you're rooted, it might be possible to hunt down and manually remove the Verizon Remote Diagnostics.

If I were you I'd Google how to manually remove Verizon Remote Diagnostics. It could be as simple as freezing that app with Titanium Backup (or installing it), but it also could require some head hunting and deletions with Root Explorer. Either way, if you're going to try and remove the Verizon Remote Diagnostics app using root-only methods BE SURE TO MAKE A FULL BACKUP BEFORE DOING ANYTHING!

monicakm

Hummm, I don't think I'm ready to start rooting my phone yet. This is my first smartphone and it's just one month old
Freeze...ok, I looked that up and found a list but so far, I don't know how to "freeze an app. I'm still looking but if you'd like to tell me, that would be great
***updated*** ICS leak apps to freeze list

The list was on a Droid 4 forum. VRD is listed. The others are:Android live wallpapers
Backup assistant plus (shows up twice)
Backup assistant+
Backup assistant+ contacts client
Backup assistant+ media
Browser (installed chrome beta)
Com.Android.wallpaper.holospire
Demo mode
Device setup
Email
Epmserviceapp
Exchange services
Flashremoval
Forest wallpaper
Guided tours
Help center
Home screen tips
Ipsec VPNs
Last FM authenticator
Magic smoke wallpapers
Mobile hotspot
MOG music
Motocast
Motocast ID
Motoprint
MotoSignature app
MotVPNService
Music store
Music visualization wallpapers
My Motocast
Netflix
NFL mobile
Photo bucket authenticator
Programming menu
Setup wizard
Slacker radio
Social location
Social sharing
Text messaging
V CAST Tones
Vehicle mode
Verizon remote diagnostics
Verizon video
Videosurf
Voicemail (using Google voice)
Vpndialogs
VZ Navigator
ZumoService

monicakm

Guess I won't be "freezing" the rogue app either. Have to be rooted. Disappointing.
Monica

AngryHatter

Seekdroid, as the rest have unneeded bloat attached.

After a good 15 minutes trying to have seekdroid locate my phone unsuccessfully, I gave up and tried Cerberus.

Thanks.

Last edited by AngryHatter; July 11th, 2012 at 02:17 AM.

watyki

seekdroid or cerberus! both are good.

OverByter

Cerberus seems to offer great features without being bloated.

Adauth

Cerberus also lets you use one account to track up to 5 devices. Great feature IMO.

kingsmuse

I`ve used SeekDroid.

It`s web based real time tracking.

It works as advertised.

The only bug I found was that it would "uncloak" from it`s hidden mode when updated.

twyly

Firstly, my comment is that all the free app named have no remote enabling of GPS. This means that the mapping will have big flaws. I saw AVG has this functionality but not much else.

But really i have a question: If I am a thief really...i don't waste time uninstalling app that are hidden (which anyway is easy using titanium something). neither i am interested in going through messages to access data... who cares! At most I can find naked bodies... I would just reset the phone on the manufacturer setting and automatically wipe off everything and sell it on gumtree! Is there any app that would survive that??

Rachel A

That's certainly true, however there are many thieves who will not even think about doing that. They'll steal it most likely to sell on and so it may take a day or so for that to happen. Secondly these apps are also there to locate lost phones as well.

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khurrambhatti

Avast anti-theft provide you to work in stealth mode and it cant be uninstalled easily. Moreover it also survive in hard reset.

khurrambhatti

Avast anti-theft is best. It is free and provide almost all (or more) features than cerberus. Features like Stealth Mode, Call/SMS forwarding etc. Specially avast anti-theft can survives on hard resets(dont know about ceberus)

I also use Androidlost for particularly on/off wifi, gps and gprs. Because Avast initially tried to communicate through Wifi, where as If I want to only/direcly communicate through gprs, then I use Androidlost to enable gprs and then use commands of Avast. This workaround give me more control to manually apply different options to track my phone, other than the default setting which i done on Avast anti-theft.

deltaforce

GREAT thread. I think, this is a basic flaw in Android itself. If iOS can integrate GPS location in its OS, why android can not? So although I have installed Prey and Where is my Droid on my phone, I am not really counting on them. I have noted my IMEI number and have kept it at various places. If my phone gets stolen, I will report it to police with IMEI number so that phone will never work in the country. It is bricked by the carriers. So little solace is, if I can not have it, neither the thief can.

How many folks find their lost/stolen phones really? Anyone has statistics?

TambourineMan

I have rooted Thunderbolt. I had already installed Where's My Droid and the Asurion Verizon "Mobile Recovery" before I discovered this thread.

I installed Avast! and I am very impressed. It has a lot of additional features like the anti-virus, providing a summary of apps that you have let identify you, letting you hide the name of it, etc.

I created and n online account and it told me there was an error with the anti-theft installation I tried to enable the anti-theft. I tired to enable it and it told me that the SMS messaging conflicts with "Mobile Recovery"

I haven't actually tried to locate my phone with any of these.

I used to have WaveSecure (when it was free and before it was purchased by McAfee) and it did show me my phone's location.

Which of these will allow you to turn on GPS or locate your phone by tower triangulation, or better yet just report the last known location as my battery does not last that long.

I am inclined to uninstall "Mobile Recovery" - any thoughts?

paroots

I'm currently evaluating Cerberus. Overall it's a great app, but it does have one serious flaw which I describe here:
Evaluation of Cerberus anti-theft app

I would be interested to hear if this has become an issue for others.
Pete

AlvarezLuis

Hmm. Read your evaluation. That problem pretty much negates any stealthiness. I agree: major flaw! And until dealt with it means that Cerberus can't be an option for me.

Let's have a look at Avast.

paroots

Cerberus can be installed as a system app if you are rooted in which case it is claimed that it will survive a wipe or reset to factory defaults. I have it installed as a system app, but have not verified that feature. As mentioned, however, Cerberus has a major flaw IMHO as described here:
Evaluation of Cerberus anti-theft app

This feature is described here (see 5th entry):
https://www.cerberusapp.com/help.php

Pete

Adauth

I use the stock text messaging app so it's not an issue for me.

paroots

I uninstalled Cerberus and installed Avast. During the installation (in root mode), it informed me that Go SMS Pro was an incompatible app and would prevent Avast from working. It asked for permission to uninstall it. This confirms that Go SMS Pro does create problems when sending SMS type messages to your phone. I understand that it intercepts the messages first which prevents the anti-theft app from hiding it and possibly taking the desired action. This creates a dilemma for me since Go SMS Pro handles group texting whereas the stock app does not. I may have to be satisfied with the web access to the phone if stolen. BTW, based upon a few minutes reviewing Avast, I like the Cerberus web access much better; it's simple and intuitive and provides a running list of commands sent and phone responses.
Pete

paroots

I just uninstalled Cerberus and installed Avast. During the installation (in root mode), it informed me that Go SMS Pro was an incompatible app and would prevent Avast from working. It asked permission to uninstall it. It seems that Go SMS Pro does create problems for anti-theft apps that attempt to control the phone via SMS messages. Once installed, I did a quick review of Avast's web access. It does not have any of the extensive picture, audio, and video options of Cerberus. Also, I found the Cerbeus website to be simpler, more intuitive with all the info I needed at a glance without switching back and forth between tabs. BTW, I have submitted suggestions to Cerberus to make the visible SMS messages less obvious. It seems a 'no-brainer' to me, but I await their response. Guess it's back to Cerberus for me.
Pete

Last edited by paroots; September 21st, 2012 at 04:52 AM.

divinebovine

Here's a relevant question: Is there any reason not to run multiple apps? I have Android Lost and avast.

As for the specifics of remaining undetectable and surviving factory resets and such, I don't know if it's worth much effort. It is unlikely that one would outmaneuver a determined, planned, Android thief who has physical control of the device, able to pull the battery and prevent it from getting signal easily when turning it back on. I suspect that most thefts are unplanned crimes of opportunity done by people who wouldn't know how to do any of this. More than that, I bet most missing phones are innocently misplaced rather than stolen.

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Known on most forums as theholycow...visit me at AllOffTopic or see my other hacking interest.

paroots

I agree with your analysis, but why not go with the app that maximizes your chances of recovery? The only effort is in determining which app best suits you. For me, Cerberus seems to be the one.
Pete

divinebovine

Well said.

AlvarezLuis

Except that it notifies the thief that it is being tracked, which defeats its purpose and will increase the odds that the device is dumped in a river, refuse dump, or run over by a truck...

Adauth

To be honest if my phone is stolen im not really expecting to get it back. I just want to be able to wipe the phone clean. If I can manage to track it down and get it back that's great, but that's not the top priority. Besides I use the stock sms app. Also if the theif is alerted that they are being tracked, they will junk the phone most likely, which honestly I would rather than the thief to profit from my stolen phone.

Guru82

I've gone from AVG to avast! Mobile Security
1. Much more advanced Anti-Theft for my rooted phone than AVG
2. Awesome firewall
3. Coupled with AdAway, I'm virus, malware and ad free
Very satisfied

The Anti-Theft setup can be a little time consuming as you work through the features setup, but it is worth it. Tested lock and locate. Very satisfied.

nancy30

two of my earlier phones have been stolen one was from motorola other from samsung but despite have tracker on there is nothing you can do much when the OS is formatted will any of these apps work after that

paroots

Cerberus claims to survive a wipe all data and/or reset to factory provided the phone is rooted and Cerberus is installed as a system app. Here is the app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&hl=en

There is very active support on a Google group if you have questions:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/cerberus-support-forum

Pete

Last edited by paroots; September 28th, 2012 at 06:04 AM.

paroots

OK, will post a comment at the link you provided. Good luck
Pete

divinebovine

Similarly, avast! also optionally installs its anti-theft component as a system app on a rooted phone to survive a wipe/factory reset, and allows you to choose a name/icon that does not indicate that it is an anti-theft app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity

Cerberus is a fraction of the size though, at 766k vs. 3.8MB.

For some reason I thought Cerberus is expensive, but I checked at your link and it's free.

deltaforce

What you see is a free trial for a week. To get the application, its €2.99.

@ paroots,
Which app elexx is talking about, 2 posts above. The thread has been deleted.

Anybody knows https://www.mobiledefense.com/personal ? I was searching for LoJack for Android and this thing came up.

paroots

This is the app that you might be asking about:
https://pocket.do/
and
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unicorntoast.mrroboto.android

I tried it and it works.
Pete

DaveSyd

I can't believe no one knows about Gotya! which I just posted about elsewhere. Takes a silent picture from the front camera of whoever is trying unsuccesfully to unlock your phone and sends it along with network or GPS coordinates to which ever email or facebook account you like. It also has the usual SMS kill messages also to lock or wipe your phone.

If you have a Samsung phone you don't need an extra app, Samsung Dive website will also track your phone, allow you download your message, contact info remotely etc. It does not require a phone number it's tracking the phones IMEI number.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myboyfriendisageek.gotya&feature=se arch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5teWJveWZyaWV uZGlzYWdlZWsuZ290eWEiXQ..

paroots

Can you summarize the pros and cons of this app compared to say Cerberus. I have been testing Cerberus for over a week now and find its performance very erratic with respect to frequency of reports and location accuracy.

Update: I purchased this app for $1.99 and am now testing it. It has a couple of interesting features:

• 1. No server used or required; it's totally standalone
• 2. It addresses the scenario of theft

• a. Send email with pic and location after x failed logins
• b. After y failed logins, remove lock screen and send more emails with pics and location

• 3. No fancy bells & whistles
• 4. Provides SMS commands

My only complaint so far is that it sends some emails without any apparent justification? You can even set the gps accuracy and a gps timeout to improve location accuracy. This is a pretty neat feature. I set it to 7 meters with a 60 second timeout. It would be easy for a thief to disable it by simply disabling Location services, but that is also true of Cerberus. The advantage of this app is that it doesn't warn the thief with Location services popups. It cannot be uninstalled in the usual way.

I may switch from Cerberus to GotYa! It seems to have a few glitches, but they don't seem fatal.

Pete

Last edited by paroots; October 1st, 2012 at 05:33 AM.

manojpy

Try f-secure mobile anti theft. It's free and it's good. You will have to download it from their website cos it's not available in play store.

paroots

I went to their website. It seems to be a paid app after a trial period? Why do you say it's good? Perhaps list pros and cons compared to Cerberus.
Pete

manojpy

No F-Secure anti theft is completely free. Check out the website below. F-secure mobile antivirus is a paid app(anti theft is completely free and has been for years) Cerberus infact is a paid app and can be used free for only 7 days. F-secure anti theft has good anti-theft features which includes secured deletion for any applications also. You will need to give it Device and administrative rights
Download to a pc from here:
http://www.f-secure.com/antiTheft_PC

paroots

Thanks I went to that link, but my Samsung Galaxy Nexus is not supported. While looking at the downloads for other models it looks like Android 2.2 is the most recent version? I suspect that it's no longer supported.
Pete

Last edited by paroots; October 1st, 2012 at 11:05 AM.

funpig

I use Zoner. It also has anti-virus. You locate by sending a text message to the lost phone. The text message does not appear on the phone so the thief does not know there is an attempt to locate the phone. It can turn on the GPS remotely. However, the app always has a notification saying it is on the phone and the app can be deleted by the user of the phone.

paroots

I have been evaluating GotYa. It takes a different approach being totally standalone. I like the app, but wish it had the following additional features:

1. SMS message to enable gps
2. Option to disguise icon and signon screen as a game
3. Ability to install on rooted phone as a system app and withstand wipe/reset

With those additions IMHO it would be totally awesome!
Pete

jhill110

Unfortunately Sprint and Verizon (maybe At&t) disable the option for SamsungDive... Wanted to try it.

paroots

Is it available for the gsm Galaxy Nexus?
Pete