how to find nexus 7 with android device manager

[jcarlee]

My son's nexus 7 was removed from my house without our knowledge. Using Android Device Manager, we can see when it was last used, but it cannot locate the device. I can find my nexus 7 after enabling google maps to use my location. Is it possible to remotely make that happen? Can law enforcement make that happen?

Whomever has it must be connecting to the internet via wifi because we can see the last used date which is usually the day we look. Since it is being connected to the internet and the android device manager finds it and updates the last date used, I am wondering if google has come up with a way to make it send the gps location.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident. In order for the device to be located, it has to be connected to a network. So if the missing N7 was wifi only, then the thief needs to turn wifi on and connect to a network. I don't think you can remotely enable Location Reporting, if it was disabled on the device.

Did you actually activate Android Device Manager on the missing N7 before it got stolen? I.e., under Settings/Security/Device Administrators? That would be necessary if you wanted to lock or erase the device remotely.

 

[patruns]

Also, you won't see it if there is no current wifi connection to it. The GPS chip in it is just a receiver, it does not send out signals to it's location. It needs some type of connection for that to happen, unlike a phone which will also have a cellular connection.

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

Sorry to hear that. In addition to the connectivity question already mentioned, if they do a factory reset, it will still show up in your device list but no longer update. At least that's what happened with my Nexus 7 after I reset it and signed on with a different Google account.