Set up a password
Open Settings and from there, navigate to Security -> Screen Lock.
Here you will be presented with different options: Pattern, PIN and Password. Pattern is a simple connect the dots, PIN is a numeric passcode and Password is exactly what it sounds like. NB: If you ever want to disable your password, navigate back to this section and select None.
After selecting and setting your security option, you may also set a lock timer which will cause your device to lock itself after a period of inactivity.
Enable Phone Location
Your primary option for making sure you’ll be able to locate your phone is to make sure your device is properly registered and accessible via the Android Device Manager. This is a handy little tool that Google released in 2013, and they have used the advent of Google Play Services to make sure nearly every modern Android device is equipped with it. Many devices come with the feature enabled out of the box, but you will want to double check and make sure that yours is squared away before you set foot into the dangerous world.
Make sure that the Android Device Manager is enabled as a device administrator by going to Settings > Security and Screen Lock > Device Administrators on your Android device.
The exact location and name of the menus might differ from phone to phone, so poke around or consult your user manual for your specific device if you can’t find it.
From here, simply check the box that says Android Device Manager.
This will also be a good time to head into your device’s location settings and make sure your GPS services are fully enabled and functional.
Next, find the Google Settings application in your app drawer, and select Android Device Manager from the list of options.
Make sure you check the boxes named Remotely locate this device and Allow remote lock and factory reset.
The Android Device Manager website can be accessed here.
Android Device Manager Dashboard is a very simple user interface that is used to locate all your devices from a remote location. A Google Maps-based user interface will show the last known location of your device, which will be updated up to the minute if the phone is still powered on and connected to the internet.
