Uh-oh—you've lost your phone. What now? Before you immediately lose all hope and get yourself a brand new device, there are some important steps you need to take. After all, you probably don't need us to tell you just how much personal information your lost phone contains. Beyond your contacts and photos, your device likely holds hundreds of important emails, saved passwords, banking apps, and other sensitive details.
So, what can you do now? If you can't find your phone, just know that not all hope is lost. Modern smartphones have plenty of built-in security features designed to help you in exactly this type of situation, and they can do everything from narrowing down last-known locations to locking your information. Here are three things you should do immediately.
Try to Locate Your Phone
We know, we know. When you're in desperate times, advice like this might sound wholly unhelpful. But before assuming your phone is gone for good, it's a good idea to try calling it from another device. You never know—it could be closer than you think (like under the couch cushions or in your backpack). If nobody answers, though, think about the last time you remember using it, then retrace your steps. Don't forget to check with nearby businesses or lost-and-found departments, too, if you've been out and about.
Thankfully, both Apple and Android devices offer built-in tracking services that can help you in times of need. iPhone users can access Find My through their Apple devices (or by visiting iCloud.com/find), while Android users can use Google's Find Hub. These services typically display your phone's approximate location, though what's available will depend on which features were enabled beforehand. You may even be able to trigger your device to play a sound to help you locate it.
Keep in mind that tracking isn't always guaranteed to work, though, especially if your phone lost power or its connectivity is unavailable. You might still be able to see its last recorded location, but if someone has taken your device elsewhere, you may not know where. If you can't immediately find it, don't despair—protecting your personal information is your next priority.
Lock Your Device Remotely
If you're unsuccessful in locating your phone, the next step is to prevent unauthorized access. You definitely don't want strangers snooping around! Plus, even if you already use facial recognition or fingerprint authentication, you never know if the person who took your phone has clever ways of getting into your device. One wrong move, and all your private info could be leaked.
So, what should you do? For iPhone owners, turning on Lost Mode (via Find My) allows you to lock your missing device and display a message containing alternative contact information. It also suspends payment cards and anything else associated with Apple Pay on that device. Android users, on the other hand, can select a similar option through Find Hub.
Another important precaution is to change passwords for any accounts that might be accessible through your missing phone. From your email address to your banking services, you'll want to be extremely thorough, even if it's tedious work. As you go through the list, it'll also be smart to review recent account activity to see if there are any unfamiliar sign-ins. If you notice unauthorized financial transactions, contact your bank immediately.
You should also be cautious about unexpected messages claiming that somebody has found your device. As relieved as you might be, it could be a scammer using technology to impersonate you or send fraudulent, malicious info. Never, ever provide your sensitive credentials to an unfamiliar person, regardless of how convincing their message appears.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier and Report the Loss
Now that you've locked your phone and changed your passwords, the next step is to call your carrier. Explain what happened and ask the representative to suspend your cellular service to prevent unauthorized usage. That way, anyone using your device without permission won't be able to do much.
You can also consider filing a report, especially if the phone contains highly confidential data. Just be sure to provide as much information as you can, including the device's model, identifying information, and last known location, along with any other relevant details about its disappearance. Be sure to follow any updates afterward, too.
Finally, if recovery appears unlikely, we're sorry to say it, but you may need to remotely erase your phone. Treat this as a last resort, though—it can't be undone, and it may affect your ability to track the device. However, it's a good option if your device contains data you don't want anyone else seeing or you already have copies of it backed up somewhere else.
While losing your phone is never convenient, again, not all hope is lost. Remember to take the right precautions, and even if you can't recover the device itself, the three actions we covered can help protect your accounts, finances, and sensitive information while you arrange a replacement. It might be time for a new one!
