Quick answer: from another device, sign in to Find My (iPhone), Samsung Find or Google Find Hub to locate, lock and – if needed – erase the phone. Then call your network to block the SIM, and your bank if banking apps were on it.
In the first hour
- Locate it. iPhone: icloud.com/find or the Find My app on another Apple device. Samsung: samsungfind.samsung.com. Google Pixel and other Android: google.com/android/find (Google Find Hub).
- Play a sound if it shows nearby.
- Mark it as lost / lock it and show a contact number on the lock screen.
- Don’t go after it yourself if it shows at an unknown address. Contact the police.
- Call your network to block the SIM so nobody can use your number or receive your security codes.
- Contact your bank if your banking apps or cards were on the phone.
- Report it to the police and get a crime reference number – you’ll need it for insurance.
Only erase the phone remotely if you’re sure you won’t get it back – after erasing, you can no longer locate it (on iPhone, Activation Lock stays on, so it’s still useless to a thief).
Change important passwords
From a safe device, change your email, Apple Account or Google account password first, then your social media and shopping accounts. Sign the lost phone out of these accounts if they offer that option.
Beware of follow-up scams
Thieves sometimes send texts pretending your phone has been found, with a link asking for your Apple Account or Google password. Never enter your password from a link in a text – go to the official website yourself.
Set this up today
- Turn on Find My (iPhone) or Find My Mobile / Find Hub (Android).
- Use a strong passcode – not 1234 or your birthday.
- iPhone: turn on Stolen Device Protection in Settings → Face ID & Passcode.
- Android: turn on Theft protection settings if your phone offers them.
- Keep a backup – how to back up.
- Write down your phone’s IMEI number (dial *#06#) and keep it somewhere safe.
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