Phones · 6 min read · Both
Your phone was lost or stolen — do this in order
The first hour matters most. Follow these steps top to bottom.
Work through these in order. Don't skip ahead.
1. Mark it lost (5 minutes)
- iPhone: go to iCloud.com/find on any device → select your phone → Mark As Lost. This locks it and keeps Activation Lock on.
- Android: go to google.com/android/find → Secure device.
Why first: this locks the phone before the thief can start using it.
2. Ring your mobile network
Ask them to block the SIM and the IMEI. Blocking the IMEI makes the handset useless on any network in the country.
3. Change your email password
From another device. Everything else can be reset from your email, so it comes first. Then sign out all other devices.
4. Tell your bank
If banking apps were on the phone, tell your bank so they can watch the account.
5. Report it to the police
Get a crime reference number. You will need it for insurance, and it helps if the phone turns up.
6. Only then, erase it
Once you are sure you will not get it back, use Find My to erase the device. Do this last — an erased phone can no longer be tracked.