How to Recover from a Lost or Stolen Phone

Losing your phone might feel like the end of the world, especially when you consider just how valuable it is and what kind of data you might have stored on it. There are ways to prevent a lost device from completely sinking your mood and your chances of recovering it. Let’s consider some of them today.

First, Calm Down

We know how hard it can be to keep a level head in this situation, but getting worked up is not going to do you any favors. The more calm you can be, the better—trust us.

Find Your Device

You can use a tracking app, like Find My iPhone for Apple devices or Find My Device for Android, to locate your device. Depending on the circumstances of your lost phone, you might be able to use its geographical location to find it or erase its data remotely. Keep in mind, you’ll want to make sure these services are turned on and active before you actually lose your phone.

Inform Your Service Provider

When you lose your phone, you’ll want to contact your service provider to ensure that your service is temporarily suspended while you locate your device. They can also block the SIM card from unauthorized use.

Get the Police Involved

Like any other theft, if that’s what you suspect has happened, you’ll want to file a local police report. It helps to give them as much information as you can, including the device's make, model, and IMEI number. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier for your phone; you’ll find it on the device’s packaging or by logging into your mobile carrier’s website.

Change Your Passwords

Any accounts you typically find on your phone, like email, social media, etc, should be changed to keep unintended users from accessing it.

Notify Your Bank

If you have mobile banking apps (we’re sure you do), you’ll want to contact your bank to avoid fraudulent charges or suspicious activity.

Remotely Wipe Your Device

Sometimes, it’s better to just wipe your device to save your sensitive data from being taken advantage of. This will erase the data found on it and keep unauthorized users from using it for nefarious purposes.

Contact Your Insurance Company

If you have phone insurance, you can let your provider know about the theft and they can help you take steps to replace it.

How effective these steps are toward keeping your phone and data safe will depend on the model and circumstances surrounding your device’s loss. We recommend that you always take proactive steps to keep your device safe, regardless of if you think your device will get stolen. Back up your data and turn on settings that will help you either locate a lost device or wipe it entirely.

We can help you secure your mobile devices no matter where they are using a mobile device management tool. To learn more, call us today at (978) 482-2020.