Losing your phone can be a frustrating and stressful experience. With so much of our lives stored on our phones, from contacts to photos to private information, it’s understandable to feel anxious when you realize your phone is missing. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to try to find and recover your lost phone.
First Steps When You Lose Your Phone
When you first notice your phone is lost, try not to panic. Take a deep breath and retrace your steps. Where did you last remember having your phone? Was it at home, work, in the car, at the store? Pinpointing the most likely location where you lost your phone will help you narrow down the search area.
If you think you left your phone at a friend’s house or a business, call them right away and ask if they’ve seen it. The sooner you can get the word out that your phone is missing, the better chance you have of getting it back.
You’ll also want to call your phone immediately, even if you think it’s on silent. If someone has found your phone, they may answer and you can explain it’s yours and arrange to retrieve it. Keep calling periodically in case the person doesn’t answer the first few tries.
Use the “Find My Phone” Function
Most smartphones have a “Find My Phone” function built into the operating system or available as an app. This allows you to remotely locate, lock, and erase your phone if it’s ever lost or stolen. Here’s how to use it:
| iPhone | Android |
|---|---|
| On an iPhone, open the Find My app or iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. You’ll see your missing device on the map if it has a charge and is turned on. | If you have a Google account on your Android, use the Find My Device app from any computer or the Android Device Manager website. Sign in and you can locate, ring, lock or erase your phone. |
The “Find My Phone” tools also allow you to put your phone in lost mode, display a custom message on the lock screen such as “Please call me”, and remotely wipe your phone if you’re unable to recover it. Enable lost mode as soon as you realize your phone is gone.
Use Tracking Apps
If you don’t already have a tracking app installed on your lost phone, you can install one remotely in many cases. Apps like Find My Device, Prey Anti Theft and Lookout Security & Antivirus allow you to track, lock, and wipe your phone. You’ll have to install the app on another device first, then use its features to locate your lost phone.
How Phone Tracking Apps Work
After installing the app on your lost phone remotely, tracking apps use a few different methods to help you find your device, including:
- GPS to show the phone’s real-time or last known location on a map
- WiFi hotspot detection to identify known WiFi networks in range of the phone
- Proximity sensors to make the phone ring loudly when you’re nearby, helping you find it in your home
- Camera capture to photograph the phone’s surroundings and where it is
- SIM card tracking to identify the cellular carrier and phone number if there’s a new SIM card inserted
Phone tracking apps won’t work if the phone is turned off, has no internet or cell service, or the app is force quit. But they otherwise provide an excellent chance of recovering your device.
Report Your Phone as Lost or Stolen
An important step when your phone goes missing is reporting it as lost or stolen to the appropriate services. This helps prevent fraudulent use of your device and protects your data.
Contact Your Cellular Carrier
Call or visit your cell phone provider’s website immediately to report your phone as lost or stolen. Provide them the make and model of your device along with any identifying details to block outgoing calls or service on that phone.
Your carrier can also put a temporary hold on your account to protect it until you either find your phone or replace it. Make sure to ask if you’ll be charged for any services during the time your phone is lost.
File a Police Report
For theft cases, file a police report with your local law enforcement as soon as possible. Provide identifying details about your phone like the make, model, color, condition, and any notable characteristics. Also share any tracking information or accounts associated with the phone.
Having an official police report can help if you need to submit insurance claims or documents to freeze accounts. Keep a copy of the report for your records.
Contact Device Manufacturer
Reaching out to the phone’s manufacturer is another layer of protection. Provide details like your phone’s IMEI or serial number to have them blacklist the device, making it unusable even if reset.
You may also check if the manufacturer can remotely lock or wipe your device to protect your personal data.
Prevent Future Loss
While we hope you’re able to successfully locate and recover your lost phone using the steps above, loss can sometimes be unavoidable. Use the experience to learn how to prevent loss in the future.
Enable Tracking Features
Make sure “Find My Phone” services and tracking apps are enabled on your new phone before anything happens. Maintain updated backups regularly as well.
Record Important Information
Keep your device make, model, serial number, and IMEI written down or stored somewhere safe. You’ll need these to report loss and track your phone.
Increase Phone Security
Use strong passcodes, fingerprints, or facial recognition to lock your phone. Avoid keeping sensitive info stored on your device. Enable encryption if available.
Be Careful in Public
Pay close attention to your phone when you’re traveling through crowded areas. Keep it in a secure pocket or bag rather than loose in your hands where it can be easily forgotten or snatched.
What If You Can’t Find Your Phone?
With luck and persistence, you may be able to locate and recover your lost phone using the tips above. But if those efforts are ultimately unsuccessful, here’s what to do:
Report it as Unrecoverable
Notify your cell carrier, device manufacturer, and police that your phone is permanently lost so your accounts and data can be protected.
Change Passwords
Reset the passwords on any accounts you accessed from the lost phone as a precaution.
Wipe and Deactivate Service
Once there is no chance of getting your phone back, remotely wipe it to erase your information. Also deactivate service with your carrier.
Consider a Replacement
When you know your phone is gone for good, start shopping for a replacement. Look for lost phone discounts from your carrier or features like theft protection in case it happens again.
Conclusion
Losing your phone, while stressful, does not have to be a catastrophe if you take the right steps. Enable tracking services, utilize locking and wiping features, report the loss immediately, and use phone finder apps to maximize your chances of recovering your device. With vigilance and responsible habits, you can often get a lost phone back.
But if not, promptly protect your data and accounts, avoid unauthorized charges, and start fresh with a new phone. Being proactive reduces loss risks and helps safeguard your sensitive information in the event your phone does go missing. With some diligence, you can resolve a lost phone situation well.