Lost phone: secure device and account

The phone may contain active sessions, mail, 2FA app and payment data. Start with a trusted computer or other device. If the phone is business, immediately notify the administrator.

Use official location service

For Apple devices, use the Find service and for Android the service indicated in Google documentation. The available actions depend on the previous configuration, device status and connection. Try marking as lost or remote lock if available.

Don't drive yourself to retrieve the device from a suspicious person based on a point on the map.

Take care of the number and access to your accounts

Contact the operator via a known channel for blocking a lost SIM or eSIM card and releasing a new one. Check if you still have a second method of logging into your email and device account. Use backup codes or second trusted device if the provider supports them.

View the most important services sessions. Cancel access to the lost phone according to the supplier's instructions, taking into account the impact on the location and device lock. Do not quickly remove it from your Apple account: this may disable the related activation protection.

Read the consequences before erasing

Remote erasure can be irreversible and removes local data without backup. Depending on the system and version, it can also change the ability to further locate your phone. Check the current supplier's instructions before confirming.

If there were payments or access to a bank on the device, use the bank's procedures. Do not authorize the “money security” operation proposed by the person who called after losing the phone.

Watch out for the news of the find

After the theft, you can receive a SMS with a link to the supposed location of your phone. Do not enter password, lock code or 2FA there. Check the status only in the official service opened by yourself.

When you have access, play 2FA, check passkeys and replace the used backup codes. Recovery plan will help prepare another independent method.