How To Track And Recover Your Stolen Phone Without Going To The Police

Losing your phone is one of the worst things that can happen to you during this period, especially with the hike in the cost of everything! But sometimes, no matter how careful you might be, your phone may end up falling into the wrong hands and you’re left trusting the police to track and find the culprit for you.

But what if there was a way to track and recover your stolen phone without immediately contacting the police? Well, the good news is that there is!

An app was built for this purpose: CrookCatcher. This app tracks your phone’s location, takes a picture of the person attempting to unlock it and sends this information straight to your email.

Curious about the CrookCatcher app? See everything you need to know about setting up the app and how to use it to recover your stolen phone here.

What is CrookCatcher, and How Does It Work?

CrookCatcher is an app that catches crooks, simple. Many phones today come with a ‘find my phone’ protection feature that helps you track your phone as long as it is online. But the CrookCatcher app helps to add an extra layer of security to your phone.

It’s not a system app so you’ll have to download it on your phone to use it but the app is very useful to have and comes in handy. It works by capturing a photo of anyone who enters the wrong password or uses the wrong fingerprint while trying to unlock your phone. Then, it sends this picture alongside the thief’s location to your email, enabling you to trace them through Google Maps.

Here’s a brief summary of CrookCatcher’s benefits:

• It is easy to set up and use and requires no professional expertise. So you do not need to be a techbro or sis to set it up.
• You get an instant notification when a wrong unlock attempt is detected.
• The app provides you with a photo and accurate GPS coordinates, which give you the exact location of the thief.
• The app works seamlessly in the background without draining your battery.
• It serves as a backup plan to retrieve your phone if it gets stolen.
• You don’t need to involve the police right away and pay a huge sum to find your phone.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up CrookCatcher On Your Phone

Here’s an easy guide to set up CrookCatcher so you can track and recover your stolen phone quickly:

Step 1: Download and Install CrookCatcher

1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone.
2. Tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
3. Type “CrookCatcher” and press search.
4. Locate the app and tap Download. Once downloaded, install it on your device.

Step 2: Open the App and Start the Setup

1. After installation, open the app.
2. Tap on Start Setup to begin.

Step 3: Configure the Picture Trigger

1. You will be prompted with the question, “When should CrookCatcher take a picture?”
2. This will provide a list of five options ranging from “1 failed attempt to 5 failed attempts.” Select the option After 1 failed attempt.
   • This means the app will take a picture and send a notification if someone enters the wrong password or fingerprint while trying to unlock your phone.

Step 4: Enable Permissions

For the app to function properly, you have to grant it the necessary permissions:

• Enable Camera Access: This allows the app to take a picture of the person attempting to access your phone.
• Enable Location Access: This provides the app with your phone’s precise location.

Step 5: Input Your Email Address

1. Enter your active email address where the notifications, pictures, and location details will be sent.
2. Double-check to ensure the email is correct.

Note: Make sure to remember your email login or open your email on another trusted phone. This way you can easily access your email to retrieve the information that will be sent to it if CrookCatcher detects a failed unlock attempt.

Step 6: Activate Alert Notifications

1. Turn on Alert Notifications to ensure that you are immediately notified when there’s a failed unlock attempt.

Step 7: Allow the App to Run in the Background

For continuous protection, let the app run in the background. This way, it can monitor activity and take photos without interruption.

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Step 8: Activate the Device Admin App

1. Tap on Activate Now.
2. Confirm by clicking Activate this device admin app.

Step 9: Confirmation

Once everything is set up, you’ll see a pop-up message saying, “You’re all set!”

How to Retrieve An Intruder’s Information

In the case where your phone gets missing, here’s how you can easily retrieve an intruder’s information:

1. Each time someone attempts to unlock your phone with the wrong password or fingerprint, CrookCatcher will:
   • Take a picture of the person.
   • Record your phone’s GPS location.
   • Send both pieces of information to your email address.
2. To retrieve this information, use another device to log into your email.
3. Look for the alert from CrookCatcher containing the thief’s photo and location.

What to Do with the Information

Now that you have this critical information, you can:

1. Take the Information to the Police
   • This step becomes easier as you now have tangible evidence to help them recover your phone.
2. Track the Location Yourself (Caution Advised)
   • While tempting, it’s not always safe to confront the thief alone. Use the location details wisely and avoid going to retrieve your phone alone.

Additional Tips for Using CrookCatcher Effectively

Here are some extra tips to keep in mind to get the best out of the CrookCatcher app:

1. Save Your Email Login Details: Ensure you remember your email login details. If your phone is stolen, you’ll need them to access CrookCatcher’s alerts from another device.
2. Keep the App Updated: This will help to ensure that the app runs smoothly and has the latest features.
3. Test the App Periodically: You can simulate a failed unlock attempt to confirm if the app works as expected.

Note: Although CrookCatcher is an effective way to track and recover your stolen phone, the app is currently only available on Android devices.

Final Thoughts

The next time your phone goes missing (if it does), you can stay two steps ahead of the culprit by using CrookCatcher to track and recover your stolen phone even without going to the police.

CrookCatcher provides you with all the information you will need to identify the culprit and gather all the evidence you’d have been charged for by the police free of charge.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your phone is always protected, and in the unfortunate event of theft, you’ll have the upper hand in retrieving it.

Don’t wait until it’s too late; download CrookCatcher on your phone and stay one step ahead of phone thieves.

Elsie Udoh

SEO Content Writer | Website | + posts

Elsie Udoh is an SEO content writer who specialises in writing engaging stories that resonates with diverse audiences. She studied mass communication at the Lagos State University.

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