It has been one year since Google launched its My Account site, a centralized hub where users can access their security and privacy settings, including features like Ads Settings and Privacy and Security Checkups.

One year on and Google are making some updates to My Account, a service that it says has been accessed by one billion people. The new updates include a new Find your phone feature for both Android and iOS users, as well as new quicker ways to access the My Account site.

Easier to find your lost or stolen phone

Previously when your Android phone or tablet was lost or stolen you could use the standalone Android Device Manager app, similar to Apple’s Find My iPhone app. The Device Manager allows you to locate your Android device, reset its PIN and remotely erase it.

The update to My Account now makes it even easier to locate your missing device with a new feature called Find your phone.

Android users

Go to your My Account page and you will see the new feature, located under Sign-in & security. Tap the Find your phone option, select the device that you want to locate by tapping the arrow icon next to the name.

On the next screen, you can select one of the various options to try and locate your lost device. You can either make your phone ring at maximum volume  or lock it remotely and display a message and contact number so a good samaritan will hopefully contact you. Alternatively, tap the Locate icon to pinpoint its exact location using the Device Manager.  

iOS users

If you are an iOS user, Google cannot control Apple’s devices, so when you go to My Account you will be directed towards iCloud and Apple’s Find My iPhone app.

New ways to access My Account

In addition to the new Find your phone feature, My Account has also been updated to include new ways to access the service.

Access My Account with your voice

Open the latest version of the Google app and say “Ok Google, show me my Google account,” and you will be taken there. The new feature is available now, but at this stage, it is only available in English.

Search Google for My Account

In addition to using your voice to find My Account, you will soon be able to simply search for your own name in the Google app and if you are signed in you will see a shortcut to My Account.

Main image credit: Damian Gadal; Flickr | Images via: Google