„Losing a phone usually causes panic, but it is precisely then that it is most important to act calmly and consistently. The first 10 minutes should be dedicated not to long searches, but to ensuring security – locating the device, locking it, protecting the SIM card, and checking the most important accounts,“ says A. Lukošius.
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A screen lock alone is not enough
According to the expert, phone protection consists of several different layers. A strong screen lock or biometric recognition makes access to the device itself more difficult, but the phone search function allows it to be found and locked remotely, and two-factor authentication additionally protects the most important accounts.
Therefore, even before losing the phone, it is worth enabling the device search function, using a strong screen lock, activating biometric recognition, and two-factor authentication for the most important accounts.
It is also worth taking care of regular data backups. iPhone users can do this via iCloud, and Android users via their Google account or manufacturer-provided solutions. Then, even if it becomes necessary to remotely erase the phone’s data, photos, contacts, and important documents are not lost.
„It is also worth checking in advance whether the phone search function really works and whether you know the login details for the account linked to the device. Many people only think about this when the phone is already lost, and then every minute becomes very precious,“ says A. Lukošius.
The first step – try to find and lock it
When losing a phone, it is natural to first check the places where it might have been left. However, if the device does not appear immediately, you should not delay for long – especially if there is even the slightest chance that it might have been stolen. In such a case, the most important thing is to lock it remotely as soon as possible.
First, it is worth using the device search functions. iPhone users should log in to Find My or iCloud.com/find, and Android phones have the Google Find Hub function, still known to many as Find My Device. These tools allow you to see the phone’s location, play a sound, mark the device as lost, lock it, display a message with a contact number on the screen, and if necessary – remotely erase data.
„An important difference is that in the iPhone system, the loss mode is closely linked to the Apple ID and device activation lock. On Android devices, the main route is usually through the Google account, but some manufacturers, such as Samsung, also have additional search solutions. Therefore, as soon as you acquire a new device, it is worth finding out exactly where to log in if you lose it,“ explains the Tele2 innovation expert.
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The most important actions in the first minutes
First, you should log in to the phone search system from another device – a computer, tablet, or a close person’s phone. If you see that the device is nearby, you can play a sound. But if its location is unclear, it is better to immediately activate the loss or lock mode.
The second step is to contact the mobile operator and temporarily suspend the SIM card’s operation, especially if the phone did not have an eSIM or additional protections. This reduces the risk that the number will be used for logins, verification codes, or calls. If there were payment cards on the device, you should immediately contact the bank and temporarily restrict payments by phone.
The third step is to protect the most important accounts. First, you should change the email password, as it is often used to recover other accounts. Then it is worth reviewing active sessions on Google, Apple ID, social networks, bank, and other important accounts and logging out from the lost device.
„If you use a secure code, biometric recognition, and two-factor authentication to unlock the phone, the risk is greatly reduced. But even in such a case, you should not assume that everything is automatically safe. When losing a phone, it is important to immediately review which accounts and data it had access to and to limit possible risks as soon as possible,“ says A. Lukošius.
The expert reminds that if theft is suspected, you should not go to an unfamiliar place to look for the phone yourself, even if its location is visible on the map. In such cases, the safest option is to contact the police and provide the available information about the device’s location.
„In the case of a lost phone, it is first important to protect your data, accounts, and finances. The phone itself is replaceable, but losing personal information can have more serious consequences,“ emphasizes the Tele2 innovation expert.
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