Most Android security apps like Kaspersky Mobile Security go further than Device Manager, letting you send messages to the lost device, and receive images from the wayward Android.

Also, Device Manager prompts you for a new password (that's right, alphanumeric and everything!), and overwrites your existing device passcode in the process—even if you haven't set one up yet.

In this week's Android customization post, we look at how to use Android Device Manager to locate a missing phone, and how it can protect you and your data.

Google's Android Device Manager, which allows users to locate their phones via a desktop app, will be adding the ability to lock the device and change its password.

Google's Android Device Manager lets users remotely lock a lost or stolen device with a new password.

Android Device Manager Track, lock, and remotely wipe your lost or stolen phone with this baked-in tool from Google, but don't expect much else.

Security apps While waiting for Android Device Manager to go live, you can download security apps from Google play to help you secure your device and possibly recover it when it gets lost or stolen.

The Android Device Manager is now in the Play Store, and does most of the things that Apple’s Find My iPhone service does, but for Android gadgets instead of iOS-powered devices.

To check to see that Android Device Manager has been given permission to access your location, you’ll need to open up Settings>Security>Device administrators on your phone.

Android Device Manager app launches in Play Store Google released an Android app for its Android Device Manager service, which allows users to locate, ring, lock, and wipe devices remotely.

Several Android-supporting Chromebooks using a version of Chrome OS in the beta channel supposedly support Android Device Manager, which may be accidental.