Home Support

<  Back

Controlling a device remotely using Anti-Theft in AVG AntiVirus for Android

AVG Anti-Theft is not included in AVG AntiVirus for Android version 6.56 and later. However, if Anti-Theft is already active on your device and if you are using AVG AntiVirus for Android version 6.56 or older, Anti-Theft will continue to work until September 30 2023. For more information, refer to the following article: AVG Anti-Theft Discontinuation - Frequently Asked Questions.
 

The Anti-Theft feature in AVG AntiVirus for Android allows you to connect to your lost or stolen device and execute several commands remotely from your AVG Account. You cannot control a device remotely unless the following requirements are met:

  • The device is turned on and connected to the internet.
  • The Anti-Theft feature is enabled on the device.
  • The AVG AntiVirus for Android app is connected to an AVG Account.
Without access to the device it is not possible to pair your device with an AVG Account or enable Anti-Theft.

Access remote commands

All remote commands are available in the Anti-Theft section of your AVG Account. To access the remote commands:

  1. Open https://id.avg.com/sign-in in your web browser, enter your AVG Account credentials, and click Continue.
    Ensure you sign in to the AVG Account that is connected to the AVG AntiVirus app on your lost or stolen device.
  2. Click Go to Anti-Theft in the Anti-Theft tile.
  3. Select your missing device.
  4. Select your chosen command:
    1. The command panel
    2. Wipe

Command panel

Refer to the relevant sections below for instructions to send Anti-Theft commands listed in the command panel.

The Locate command is the simplest and quickest way to locate your device using GPS. AVG Anti-Theft offers 2 tracking options:

  • Track device: sends multiple commands to monitor your device's location changes. You can select how frequently you receive information about the location of your device.
  • Request location: sends the command once to retrieve your device's current location.

Send the Locate command for the first time:

  1. Select Locate in the command panel.
  2. Select your preferred tracking option from the screen that appears.
  3. If you select Track device, use the drop-down menu to specify how frequently you receive location updates, then click Save to send the command.
  4. Access location data received to your AVG Account via Notifications.

Send a subsequent Locate command:

  1. Select Locate from the command panel.
  2. A map loads automatically showing your device's last-known location. Click your preferred tracking option in the top-right corner to update the map with your device's latest location.
  3. If you select Track device, use the drop-down menu to specify how frequently you receive location updates, then click Save to send the command.
  4. Click the table icon in the top-right corner to open the GPS coordinates and review your device's location, latitude, longitude, and information about accuracy.

To disable the Locate command, click Locate in the command panel, then click Stop tracking device in the top-right corner of the map screen.

Accuracy varies depending on signal strength and if the device is in range of a GPS signal.

Sending the Lost command marks your missing device as lost. By default, the following features are enabled when you mark your device as lost:

  • Lock device: makes your device inaccessible to intruders.
  • Sound siren: activates the siren on your device to alert you or others to its location.
  • Last known location: sends the last known location of your device when the battery is dying.
The Last known location feature is only available with a paid version of AVG AntiVirus.

To mark your device as Lost:

  1. Select Mark as Lost from the command panel.
  2. Ensure the Lost tab is selected, and click Send.
  3. Access the data received to your AVG Account via Notifications.

To disable the Lost command, enter your AVG PIN code on the found device. Alternatively, from your AVG Account, select Mark as Lost ▸ Found, then click Send.

The Siren command triggers a loud siren on your missing device.

To send the Siren command:

  1. Select Siren from the command panel.
  2. Ensure the Siren on tab is selected, and click Send to trigger the siren sound on your lost or stolen device.

To disable the siren, enter your AVG PIN code on the found device. Alternatively, from your AVG Account, select Siren ▸ Siren off, then click Send.

The Lock command allows you to remotely lock your missing device so that it cannot be accessed without your AVG PIN.

To send the Lock command:

  1. Select Lock from the command panel.
  2. Ensure the Lock tab is selected, and click Send to lock your device.

To unlock your device, enter your AVG PIN code on the found device. Alternatively, from your AVG Account, select Lock ▸ Unlock, then click Send.

Wipe

The Wipe command erases all data on your device and initiates a factory reset.

You cannot undo this action once the command is sent.

To send the Wipe command:

  1. Select Wipe from the command list.
  2. Click Send to clear all data from your device. Once the command is sent, your device will reboot.

Access data received to your AVG Account

When you send the Locate or Mark as Lost commands, your device sends data to the Notifications section of your AVG Account.

To access data received to your AVG Account:

  1. Select the relevant device in the left panel, and click Info.
  2. Select the Notifications tab.
  3. Under the Message section, select the icon next to A position update was received to view or download data.
  4. This file contains data initiated by the Mark as Lost and Locate commands. To view location data, click the GPS pin icon. A map appears showing your device's location. Click the table icon to open the GPS coordinates and review your device's location, latitude, longitude, and information about accuracy. You can provide this information to the police if necessary.
The notifications you receive may vary according to your version of AVG AntiVirus and your Anti-Theft settings.

Customize Lost command behavior

You can customize which features are enabled when you mark your device as Lost using either method below:

  • AVG AntiVirus for Android: Tap ☰ Menu (three lines) on the main AVG AntiVirus for Android screen. Select Anti-Theft, then customize your settings under When device is marked as lost.
  • The Anti-Theft section of your AVG Account: Select your device in the left panel of the Anti-Theft screen. Click Settings ▸ Anti-Theft, then customize your settings under Protection Behavior. Click Save to confirm changes.
  • AVG AntiVirus 6.x for Android
  • Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow, API 23) or later
Print
Email article

Was this article helpful?

Still looking for answers ?

Visit our AVG Support Community or contact us here:

Struggling with non-AVG technology? We can fix that, too!