What to do with a lost phone

If you lose your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or think it might be stolen, use Find My and protect your data.

Look for your device on a map

Mark as Lost

When you mark your device as lost, you remotely lock it with a passcode, keeping your information secure. This also disables Apple Pay on the missing device. And you can display a custom message with your contact information on the missing device. 

Mark your device as lost.
 

Report your missing device to local law enforcement

File a Theft and Loss claim

If your missing iPhone is covered by AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, file a claim for an iPhone replacement.

File a claim.
 

Remotely erase your device

If you erase a device that had iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or later installed, you can still use Find My to locate the device or play a sound on it. Otherwise, you won't be able to locate the device or play a sound after you erase it.

If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, do not erase your iPhone until your claim has been approved.

Erase your device.
 

Contact your wireless carrier

If the missing device is an iPhone or an iPad with cellular, report your missing device to your wireless carrier. Ask the carrier to disable your account to prevent calls, texts, and data use. And if your device is covered under your wireless carrier plan, file a claim.
 

Remove your missing device from your account

If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, do not remove your lost iPhone from your account until your claim has been approved.

Go to appleid.apple.com to remove the missing device from your list of trusted devices.
 

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is not available in all countries and regions.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: March 31, 2022

• Security Center
• Mobile
• 3 steps to take immediately if your phone is stolen or lost

3 steps to take immediately if your phone is stolen or lost

Written by a NortonLifeLock employee

Aug. 31, 2018

Try Norton 360 FREE 30-Day Trial* - Includes Norton Secure VPN

30 days of FREE* comprehensive antivirus, device security and online privacy with Norton Secure VPN.

Join today. Cancel anytime.

*Terms Apply

The loss or theft of a phone can be very upsetting. After all, you have a lot of important information on that device. But if you take the right steps the moment you realize it’s gone, you may be able to minimize the pain.

What to do if your smartphone is stolen or irretrievably lost

If you’ve determined that your phone isn’t just temporarily misplaced, it’s wise to take more advanced steps to protect your information and identity.

1. Report the loss to your cell phone carrier immediately

Your carrier can suspend or disconnect service to your missing phone, in order to avoid unauthorized cellular usage. You should call your carrier if possible, but if you do not have access to a phone, you may also be able to report it on their website by logging into your account.

Here’s a list of the contact information for the larger U.S. cellular carriers:

• AT&T: 1-800-331-0500 or www.att.com/suspend
• Sprint: 1-888-211-4727 or https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/report-that-your-device-is-lost-or-stolen.html 
• T-Mobile: 1-877-746-0909 or https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1211 
• Verizon: 1-800-922-0204 or https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/suspend-service-faqs/#lost-stolen

2. Remotely lock and wipe your phone if possible 

Now, most smartphones have a built-in “kill switch” that allows you to remotely deactivate your device and prevent thieves from resetting it. In order for these services to work, you need to have them installed first. Here’s a list of some of the more popular web portals to help you:

• Apple Find My iPhone Activation Lock: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365 
• Remotely Lock My Device - Find My Device - Android: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-137943/ 
• Samsung Find My Mobile: https://findmymobile.samsung.com
• T-Mobile Lookout Mobile Security A[[: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-4257 
• Windows 10 only Find and Lock a Lost Windows Device: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/11579/microsoft-account-find-and-lock-lost-windows-device

3. Change your passwords

Smartphone companies often offer cloud services, allowing your phone to access your data in the cloud. To prevent the thief from doing so, you’ll want to change your cloud password as soon as possible. You should also change your passwords for any other accounts that you access on your phone, such as banking, social media, email, and other accounts.

How to help protect your smartphone and yourself

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and in this particular case, it has never rung so true. These tips can help you protect your phone and your information if you ever lose your phone:

• Use auto-lock and a passcode. It’s possible to lock most devices using a passcode or other similar feature. But many people simply don’t do so, leaving their contacts, text messages, emails, and social networking accounts open to anyone who puts their hands on the phone. 
• Back up information. Making sure you back up your information regularly may be a lifesaver in case you never regain access to your phone. Whether you adopt a low-tech technique, like writing down phone numbers, or something more high-tech like uploading information to the cloud, you’ll be glad to have a backup if your phone is stolen or lost.
• Consider tracking software. As we mention above, most mobile phones offer basic tracking and remote protection software, but it must be installed and configured in order for it to work. If your phone doesn’t come with a “kill switch,” or you want something with more safety features, consider Norton Mobile Security, which gives you the ability to lock and wipe your mobile phone if stolen or lost — and so much more.
• Don’t save passwords to your browser. When you visit password-protected websites, take the time to type in the password. Otherwise, a thief could access sensitive information simply by unlocking your phone. It may seem tiresome to enter your password every time, but the extra effort could help you protect your identity.

To learn more about how to protect your smartphones, PCs, Macs, and other devices, be sure to download our How to Protect Your New Device eBook.

Try Norton 360 FREE 30-Day Trial* - Includes Norton Secure VPN

30 days of FREE* comprehensive antivirus, device security and online privacy with Norton Secure VPN.

Join today. Cancel anytime.

*Terms Apply

Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you. NortonLifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about cyber safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses.

Copyright © 2022 NortonLifeLock Inc. All rights reserved. NortonLifeLock, the NortonLifeLock Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, LifeLock, and the LockMan Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NortonLifeLock Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Android, Google Chrome, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, LLC. Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Microsoft and the Window logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

What to do with a phone I found?

What do you do if you lose phone?

How do you find the owner of a found phone?

Can I keep a phone I found?