Phone stolen? Do this now.

Your checklist

Tick off each step as you go. Your progress stays saved in this browser only.

• Lock the phoneLost Mode on iPhone, Secure device on Android, Lock in Samsung Find. Add a contact number. Find your tool.
• Call your carrierAsk them to block your SIM and report the phone. Carriers can block its IMEI so it can't be used on their network. Ask for a replacement SIM with your number.
• Get your IMEI numberYou need it for the police and insurance. Find it without the phone.
• File a police reportInclude the IMEI, the phone model, and the last location from the map. Keep the report number.
• Change your email passwordEmail first, because it can reset everything else.
• Change your other passwordsApple or Google account, banking, payment apps, social media and messaging apps that were signed in.
• Tell your bankFreeze cards that were in your phone's wallet, and watch for unknown payments.
• Move your security codesIf the phone received your login codes by text, switch those accounts to another number or an authenticator app.
• Contact your insurerIf the phone is insured, or covered by home insurance, send them the police report.
• Erase it, lastOnly once you're sure it's gone. After erasing, you usually can't see it on the map anymore.

Clear all ticks

Stay safe

Never go to the location yourself. Give the map location to the police and let them act.

• Watch out for "found your phone" messages. Thieves send texts and emails with fake Apple or Google login pages to steal your password and unlock the phone. Only sign in on the official sites.
• Don't remove the phone from your account. On iPhone, Activation Lock stays on while the phone is on your Apple Account, so the thief can't set it up.
• Don't pay a ransom. Report any contact from the thief to the police.

Warn others

Once you've done the urgent steps, tell people how it happened. Thieves reuse the same tricks in the same places, and your story can help someone spot them. Every story is reviewed before it's published, and names, links and phone numbers are never shown.

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Make it harder next time

• iPhone: turn on Stolen Device Protection (Settings › Face ID & Passcode).
• Android: turn on Theft protection, where available (Settings › Google › All services › Theft protection).
• Every phone: a strong screen lock, a SIM PIN, and backups of your photos.

Last checked October 2026. Menu names can differ slightly by phone model and software version.