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Use Google Search to Locate Your Android Phone or Tablet, Send Directions to It & More

Apr 24, 2015 04:06 PM

Apr 27, 2015 07:56 PM

A set of cool new Android-related Google Search functions made their debut this week, which will allow you to locate your phone, send directions to your mobile device, set alarms and reminders, and send notes from any web browser.

These new features will require that you have Google Location History enabled on your Android device, as well as Web and App Activity, but beyond that, it's about as simple as it gets.

Send Directions to Your Android Device

If you've ever searched for directions to a location with Google Maps only to hop in your car and realize you don't remember every turn, then this first tip is for you. Just head to Google.com from any web browser (or simply use the address bar in Chrome), then type "Send Directions."

A mini-map will pop up, with a field asking "Where do you want to go?" Simply type in the address or name of the location, then click "Send directions to my phone."

Almost immediately, the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet will launch automatically, with directions to the location already queued up.

Locate Your Phone or Tablet Directly from Google Search

Last year, Google debuted a service called Android Device Manager that allows Android users to easily locate, ring, and wipe their device should it ever be lost or stolen—but this new feature makes it easier than ever.

Again, head to Google.com from any web browser, but this time search "Where's my phone."

Within a few seconds, your device's location will be displayed on the mini-map, and there's even an option to ring your phone in case it's lost in a couch cushion.

Send Notes or Reminders & Set an Alarm

For the folks that like to keep things organized, there are a few more Google Search functions for Android that will help with creating alarms and setting reminders.

First, to send yourself a note, perform a Google search of Send a note to my phone. The top result will be a box with a field that lets you quickly type out a note, which can then be sent over to your phone.

To set an alarm on your phone remotely, just type Set an alarm into Google Search. This will let you select a time for your alarm, and after clicking the link at the bottom of this box, the alarm will be set on your phone.

For a hybrid of these two features—essentially an alarm with a note attached—type Send a reminder to my phone. Fill out the fields with your reminder and the time, then you can quickly send this over to your phone, where the notification will show up in Google Now.