LONDON — Our smartphones are integral to our daily lives, housing everything from emails and social media accounts to banking details, photos, and messages. When these devices are lost or stolen, the fallout can extend far beyond simply losing a gadget.
In various locations, the spike in phone thefts has turned it into a common concern, with criminals utilizing electric bikes to snatch phones directly from individuals or grab them off tables in restaurants, as well as pickpocketing in subways.
In the UK, approximately 200 phones are reported stolen each day as a result of “snatch thefts.” In response, the government is intensifying efforts to combat these crimes and is engaging with technology firms and device manufacturers to develop effective strategies.
To mitigate the impact if your phone is ever lost or stolen, here are some precautionary measures to consider beforehand and steps to follow if it happens:
**Basic Protections**
Implementing basic security measures can make the aftermath of a theft significantly easier. Many people overlook these technical features.
One of the first lines of defense is setting up a password or utilizing biometric authentication to lock your device. You can also add similar security measures to significant apps, such as banking or messaging apps, to protect sensitive information.
Remember to activate the “find my device” option available on both iOS and Android platforms; Samsung users can also utilize the SmartThings Find feature.
Since many of us store valuable photos in our device’s gallery, it’s prudent to back them up alongside contacts, calendar entries, and other important files. Cloud storage options from Google and Apple are available, although their free plans often have limited capacities. Additionally, consider backing up files on external drives, memory cards, or through a laptop.
To further enhance your security, some law enforcement agencies and phone providers recommend disabling message previews. This prevents potential thieves from accessing recovery or login codes when the device is locked. For instance, iPhone users can adjust this setting by navigating to the Notifications section of their settings menu.
**Utilizing New Features**
Recent updates for iOS and Android have introduced enhancements aimed at discouraging theft.
iPhone owners can turn on Stolen Device Protection, which greatly complicates access for thieves hoping to reset or erase data. With this feature active, a facial or fingerprint scan is required, making it harder for thieves to sell the device. Apple has also refined its activation lock capability to impede the resale of parts from stolen devices.
Android users can leverage new artificial intelligence-driven features that detect sudden movement—indicating someone may have snatched the phone—triggering an immediate screen lock. The Private Spaces feature allows users to keep sensitive files hidden from prying eyes.
**Record Your Device Number**
It’s essential to have your phone’s serial number or IMEI on hand, as this information can assist in recovering your device if it is found. You can easily access it by dialing *#06# on your keypad. For those who have misplaced their phones, this information may also be found on the original packaging.
**What to Do If It’s Stolen**
If your phone is stolen, the immediate action should be to report the theft to the authorities. If you have insurance, notify your provider. It’s also crucial to inform your phone carrier so they can suspend your number and issue a new SIM card. Additionally, alert your bank to monitor for any unusual transactions.
**Tracking Your Phone**
Use the find my device feature to attempt to locate your missing phone. For iPhones, access iCloud.com/find through a web browser; Android users should go to the Google Find My Device site. Samsung has its own tracking service for Galaxy phones.
These services can reveal your phone’s last known location on a map, which is useful if you’ve simply misplaced it at home. Apple also notes that even if a phone is unable to connect to Wi-Fi or is turned off, it can still utilize Bluetooth to connect with nearby Apple devices, similarly to AirTags technology. Google mentions that some newer Pixel devices can be located for a few hours even after being powered off.
A sound can be made from the device, regardless of whether it is on silent mode. Additionally, enabling lost mode can lock the phone and display a message with your contact details, while also suspending any Apple Pay cards associated with the device.
If your device appears in an unfamiliar location on your tracking service, experts recommend contacting the police rather than confronting the alleged thief directly.
**Final Steps**
In the event that you are unable to locate your phone, there are several subsequent actions you should take. Log out of all accounts that could be accessed through your device, and remove it from your trusted device list that is used for two-factor authentication.
As a last resort, you may choose to wipe your phone remotely to prevent the potential leakage of your data. However, keep in mind that companies like Apple state that if the iPhone is currently offline, the erase command will only execute once it comes back online. Nonetheless, if you retrieve the device before the command is executed, you have the option to cancel it.
Google also alerts users that SD cards inserted into Android phones might not be erased remotely, and once a phone has been wiped, it will no longer be detectable using the find my device feature.
