What to do if you lose your phone or it gets stolen

Losing your phone can definitely make you feel helpless. Your phone is how you reach friends, manage money, access emails, snap photos, and stay organized. When it goes missing, the stress goes beyond the price tag. You worry about your information, privacy, and what someone could do with your details.

Fortunately, there are clear, practical steps you can take right away to protect yourself, your data, and your peace of mind. In this article, we break down the steps and recovery process so you’re never left guessing.

What should you do if you lose your phone or it gets stolen?

Losing a phone is stressful, but you’ve got a clear path forward. Use this step-by-step playbook to recover it quickly, secure it, and minimize the risk of fraud and financial loss.

1. Try calling or texting your number

Sometimes, a lost phone is just misplaced. Start by simply calling your number from another phone. If it rings nearby, retrace your steps.

If you think you left it somewhere, you can also send a text with your contact information in case a good Samaritan has found it. If you get a reply, arrange to meet in a public place, ideally a police station, to retrieve your phone.

2. Locate your phone using the “find my phone” feature

These built-in tools show a live or last-known location and can play a sound, lock the screen with a custom message, or wipe data if recovery looks unlikely.

• iPhone: Use the Find My app on another Apple device or sign in at iCloud.com/find to locate the device or mark it as lost. When you turn on Lost Mode, the phone locks with your passcode, and any Apple Pay payment cards and passes are suspended. You can also display a phone number and message on the Lock Screen so someone can contact you if they find it.
• Android (Google): Use the Find Hub app (formerly Find My Device) on the web or in the app to locate, lock, or perform a remote factory reset of the phone.
• Samsung Galaxy: If you have a Samsung phone, you can use SmartThings Find and Samsung Find to locate your device.

Note: For these tools to work, tracking must be set up in advance, and the device must be online. If the battery’s dead or it’s offline, you’ll see its last reported location. If it’s online and you locate your phone and the map shows movement you didn’t initiate, move to the next steps quickly.

3. Remotely lock or erase your data

Start with a remote lock to block access and display a return message such as “Lost phone. Please call [contact number] to return.” If you can’t recover the device or you see suspicious movement, wipe it. This deletes your messages, photos, accounts, and payments. While you’ll lose local data, you’ll prevent anyone from misusing your information.

How to erase an iPhone remotely

1. Go to iCloud.com/find and sign in.
   
2. Choose your device from All Devices.
   
3. Select Erase and follow the prompts.
   

If your device is online, the remote erase begins after you follow the onscreen instructions. If your device is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it’s online. Activation Lock stays on after an erase, so the phone can’t be reactivated without your Apple Account password.

How to erase a Samsung or Google phone remotely

1. Open Find Hub in a browser or the app.
2. Select the device, then choose Factory reset device.
   

4. Report your phone as lost or stolen to your carrier

Call your carrier or log into your account online to suspend your phone’s service and block the SIM card. This prevents unauthorized calls, texts, or expensive roaming charges. Also, ask your provider to blacklist your phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. This will stop thieves from using your phone on other networks.

Tip: Every phone has an IMEI number. Find it in your phone settings or on the box. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When reporting to the police or your carrier, this number is crucial for blocking or recovering your device.

5. Suspend your number and block SIM usage

Ask your carrier to suspend the line, disable the SIM/eSIM, and lock number port-out with a port freeze or transfer PIN. This blocks thieves from receiving your SMS codes or moving your number to a new SIM.

6. File a police report and notify your insurance provider

If you carry phone insurance or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, you’ll need a police report and your device details (IMEI/serial) to file a claim. For iPhone, don’t remove the device from your Apple Account until a theft claim is approved, as this may affect your eligibility.

7. Change passwords for important accounts

Sign in on a trusted computer and update the passwords for your key accounts. These often include:

• Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud Mail).
• Apple or Google account.
• Banking and payment apps.
• Social media and messaging apps.

Tip: A password manager like ExpressVPN Keys can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Turn on app-based 2FA where available and review active sessions/logged-in devices for each account. Move away from SMS codes tied to the missing number to cut SIM-swap risk. For example, eSIMs reduce physical SIM theft, but port-out scams, where the perpetrator fraudulently transfers your phone number to another SIM or carrier, still matter; lock your number with the carrier.

8. Monitor your bank accounts for unusual activity

Set up transaction alerts, review recent charges, and contact your bank if you spot anything off. Ask your bank or card issuers to temporarily suspend any payment cards saved in your mobile wallet. Deactivate Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay remotely if possible, or ask your provider for help.

For broader protection, a service like ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender can monitor your personal information for misuse and alert you to potential fraud. (ID Defender is currently only available to ExpressVPN users in the U.S.)

How to prevent phone loss in the future (or minimize damage)

1. Set up screen locks and tracking tools

The first layer of defense is your phone’s built-in security:

• Use a strong passcode or long PIN.
• Turn on Face ID/Touch ID or Android biometrics.
• Make sure Find My (iPhone) or Find Hub/Find My Device (Android) is active and signed in.
• On iPhone, turn on Stolen Device Protection.

How to turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone

On iPhone, Stolen Device Protection raises the bar by requiring Face ID/Touch ID for high-risk changes and adds a security delay for sensitive actions, which gives you more time to trigger Lost Mode or a remote erase. Turn it on under:

1. Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then tap Stolen Device Protection.
   
2. Toggle on Stolen Device Protection.
   

2. Back up your data regularly

Use iCloud, Google One, or a computer backup so you can restore your data to a replacement phone with minimal downtime. If you ever must erase a missing phone, a recent backup removes the fear of data loss.

3. Be cautious in public places

Stay alert in crowded areas, such as public transit, concerts, and bars, where pickpockets often operate. Keep the phone in a front pocket or zipped bag, and avoid unlocking the screen repeatedly in public.

If you need to sign into Apple, Google, or your carrier on public Wi-Fi, use a trusted VPN. ExpressVPN protects you by encrypting your traffic and cutting exposure to snooping on open networks.

4. Use device insurance and anti-theft apps

If the phone is mission-critical, insurance can soften the financial hit. Some third-party apps add extra alarms, backup location reporting, or camera traps; weigh privacy tradeoffs before installing.

Tip: Keep an old phone as backup in case of emergency, loaded with basic apps and emergency contacts. This keeps you connected if your main device is lost and is especially helpful if you’re traveling.