You know the panic. You lost your phone, you call it, and nothing happens because it is on silent. The phone is in the house somewhere, and it is mocking you silently.

Before you tear the couch apart, use the tools you already have.

Find My Device, the free version

Every phone has a built in locator that works from any computer or another phone:

• iPhone: go to iCloud.com/find and sign in.
• Android: go to google.com/android/find and sign in.

Both show your phone’s location on a map. Even better, they can ring the phone at full volume, overriding silent mode. I have used this to find my phone in a laundry basket, under the car seat, and once in the freezer, do not ask.

If it is nearby

On Android, the Find My Device page has a Play Sound button that rings even on silent. On iPhone, Find My has the same option. It plays a distinct sound for two to five minutes, loud enough to find in another room.

If the map says it is somewhere weird

Check your last known location and the time it was recorded. If the phone died, that is where it was. Walk around with your ears open, the ring sound is hard to miss.

Turn this on now

If you have never set up find my phone, do it today. On iPhone, Find My iPhone is usually on by default. On Android, make sure Find My Device is enabled in settings. Five minutes now saves you a frantic hour later. Location history makes the map view work even better.