Erase a lost phone remotely
Remote erase is a last-resort protection step when recovery is unlikely or data risk is high. It can permanently remove data and affect later finding.
What to do
Check backups and read the provider's warning for that device.
Use the official erase control only after weighing safety, data loss and recovery needs.
If it’s not that simple
Read the warning for the actual platform
Android factory reset
Google says the device is no longer available in Find Hub afterwards.
Eligible Apple device
Some iOS/iPadOS versions retain finding after erase; do not remove it from Find My to “complete” the erase.
Device offline
An action may wait for connectivity. A submitted command is not proof it executed.
No verified backup
Consider the irreversible loss of local data before confirming.
Good to know
After erasure, Find Hub may no longer locate an Android phone; platform behavior differs.
Official source
Android Help · find, secure or erase