If you have ever lost your phone, you will know just how much of a hassle it can be just trying to get it back. But thanks to advances in technology, you can now find your missing phone using Alexa. Different operating systems and smartphone manufacturers have their methods for tracking down and recovering lost devices. Apple has its built-in “Find My iPhone” feature on iCloud – which you can learn how to use here – while Android devices can be tracked using Google maps, while Samsung has its own Find My Mobile feature, which helps it’s users track and locate their kissing Samsung devices.
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Putting Alexa to Work by Enabling the “Find My Phone” Skill
Just like any intelligent being, Alexa needs to be trained to find your missing device. It is a skill that Alexa must learn, but unlike with humans and other living things that have to go through months and even weeks of training before they can master any skill, all Alexa requires is a few clicks and taps, and the skill will be learned quickly and easily.
To teach Alexa to learn and master the skill to find your missing phone, here are the steps you must take:
- Launch the Alexa application on your mobile device.
- Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal bars) on the top left-hand corner of your device’s screen.
- Tap on the Skills & Games options from the list in the drop-down menu.
- Click on the search icon (image of a magnifying glass) in the top right-hand corner of your device’s screen.
- Tap on the Find My Phone option from the resulting list.
- Click on the search results that appear at the top of the list, and this will take you to a page containing an exhaustive list of options. Alternatively, you can also tap on the skill labeled Find My Phone, a skill which shows up with a logo.
- On the ensuing screen of skills, click on the Enable to Use option from the list of options.
When you have done this, you would have successfully taught Alexa how to use the Find My Phone. This is the skill that Alexa will use going forward to track and find your device should it ever go missing in the near future.
At this point, you will then need to employ the services of third-party application software that are compatible with the Alexa software to help track and locate your device. The following are some of the applications you can connect with the Alexa artificial intelligence software to help pinpoint the location of and find your missing phone.
Use the TrackR App to Create an Alexa Tracker
One of the officials Finds My Phone applications upheld by Alexa-empowered gadgets is Tracker. It’s genuinely simple to set up, however, doesn’t work for each circumstance. Here’s the manner by which to check on the off chance that it will work with your gadget:
Using the Cell Phone Finder App to Get Alexa to Call Your Missing Phone
Setting up the Cell Phone Finder is a bit trickier and more complicated than using the Trackr app. However, because not every phone is compatible with the TrackR app, your options may be limited, and you may find yourself having to use the Cell Phone Finder app instead. But not to worry, we will show you just how you, too, can set up the Cell Phone Finder app on your device.
Note that prior to losing your device, you have to have installed the Cell Phone Finder app on the device that you are trying to find for this to work.
- Download the Cell Phone Finder app to your Alexa-supported device. You can download the app manually from your app store, or you can issue the command, “Alexa, enable Cell Phone Finder.”
- You can calibrate your device to connect to this skill by dialing the number (415) 212-4525 using the phone you want to register with the app.
- After you have successfully called the number, say “Alexa, ask Cell Phone Finder what my PIN code is,” and Alexa will read out your registered PIN code to you.
- Type in the PIN into your smartphone, and your two devices will immediately be connected if the PIN is found to be correct.
To use the skill, say, “Alexa, start Cell Phone Finder and call me.” Your linked device should start ringing.
It is important to note that you can use this skill to connect to only one mobile device. If you would like to have a different mobile device connected, then you will be forced to uninstall the skill and then make Alexa learn it over again by undergoing the process of registration all over again.
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Setting Up Your Own Personalised Alexa Skill Using the IFTTT Platform
This method is even more complicated than the previous one. However, once you can master it, you will automatically know how to use a system that would enable you to connect all kinds of devices. This method involves the use of the service called IFTTT, which means “If This Then That”.
IFTTT is a website that enables users to create connections between different internet-connected devices. IFTTT is so efficient that it helps you set up connections that you would otherwise not be able to set up. In order to learn how to connect both of your devices so as to be able to create a connection between the two of them, follow the steps below:
If you are an Android device user, you should be able to create a different recipe that enables you to get the IFTTT website to turn the volume on your phone to the maximum decibel. This would ensure that your chances of hearing it ring are much higher since your device’s ring would be higher than it would if you otherwise don’t utilize this feature before trying to dial up your device.
At this point, you should be able to simply call “Alexa” and follow the name up verbatim with the particular command you typed in earlier. This will put a call through to your phone, and it should begin ringing immediately. Yet again, it is important to remember that this is a method which requires that you must have downloaded and enabled the IFTTT service prior to losing your device.
If this explicit guide has been helpful to you, kindly let us know in the comments section below. We love to hear from you, and we would be elated to hear all about your thoughts and suggestions on how we can make this guide even more helpful to all of our readers. Cheers and good luck with keeping your devices safe and sound!