Open Google Settings from the Apps screen on your device and select Android Device Manager. By default the Remotely locate this device option should already be ticked. Tick Allow remote lock and erase select Activate and repeat this step for any other Android devices you own.

Next download the Android Device Manager app http://bit.ly/android352 from the Google Play Store. Make sure you have turned location services on and when you open the app click Accept when asked to let Google use your location data to locate your devices. Enter your Google password and select Sign In.

Android Device Manager will show the last-known location of your device(s). The size of the blue circle surrounding the pin Indicates how accurate this is. Tap the arrow to see another device or tap the menu button and select ‘Rename device’ to give your device a different name.

Should your phone or tablet be lost or stolen. you can open the app on your second device or visit android.com/devicemanager from your browser. You can also use Android Device Manager on a friend’s device by tapping Device Manager and selecting Guest to sign into your account.

Once you’ve signed in. tap Ring to make your device ring for five minutes at full volume. If you still can’t find it select Lock to lock the handset with a new password. In this menu you can also enter a recovery message and contact phone number in case someone finds your missing phone or tablet.

If you cannot recover your phone or tablet and are worried that someone may access its contents tap Erase to remove all apps media settings and data. You’ll need to tap Erase again to confirm this but you should only do so as a last resort and if you’re certain that you won’t get your device back.