What to do if your phone is stolen: a 10-step checklist for iPhone and Android
The first hour matters most. Follow these ten steps in order to lock the phone, protect your accounts and start a claim.
Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash
A stolen phone is more than a lost device. It holds your email, bank apps, photos and the text messages that reset your passwords. Thieves often try to use that access within minutes. The order of your response matters, so these steps start with locking the phone and end with the claim. If you can, do the first few steps from another phone or a computer right away. Do not try to get the phone back in person, because that can put you at risk.
Step 1 to 3: lock it and track it
- 1
Try to find it and mark it lost.
On an iPhone, sign in at iCloud.com or use Find My on another Apple device, select the phone and choose Mark As Lost. This locks it, shows a message with a number to call and keeps tracking on. On Android, use Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) or Samsung Find to Secure device. See hunting for a lost iPhone and how to find a lost Android phone.
- 2
Change the passwords the phone was signed in to.
Start with your Apple Account or Google Account, then your email, then your banking and payment apps, then social media. Do this from another device.
- 3
Remove cards from Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
Mark as Lost on an iPhone suspends Apple Pay cards. You can also remove cards from your Apple Account or from Google Wallet's settings on the web.
Step 4 to 6: call the carrier, the bank and the police
- 1
Call your carrier from another phone.
Report the phone stolen and ask them to suspend the line and block the IMEI. This stops calls and data and makes the phone hard to use on any US network. You can keep the number, and you can get a new SIM or eSIM. Have your account PIN or ID ready. If you do not know your IMEI, see how to find your IMEI.
- 2
Call your bank and credit card companies.
Tell them your phone was stolen. They can watch for suspicious charges, reset online banking access and issue new cards if needed.
- 3
File a police report.
Give them the make, model, color, IMEI or serial number and the place and time it was stolen. Ask for a report number. Insurers and carriers often require it.
Step 7 to 10: protect your identity and make a claim
- 1
Watch for SIM swap and phishing attempts.
Thieves may try to use your number to reset passwords. Switch important accounts from text codes to an authenticator app if you can. Read how SIM swap scams work.
- 2
Ignore texts that say your phone was found.
Scammers send fake messages with a link to a login page to steal your Apple or Google password. Check Find My or Find Hub directly instead of tapping a link.
- 3
Start an insurance or warranty claim.
Contact AppleCare+, Samsung Care+, your carrier's protection plan or your credit card's benefit. You will pay a deductible. See whether phone insurance is worth it.
- 4
Erase the phone only when you give up on getting it back.
Erasing wipes your data but also stops tracking. On an iPhone, Activation Lock stays on, so a thief cannot easily set it up as new. On Android, Factory Reset Protection does a similar job.
What if the phone is off or offline?
If the phone is off, Find My and Find Hub show the last known location and can still lock it once it connects. iPhones can be found with Find My even when off, on some models, through the network of other Apple devices. Android phones can be located through Find Hub's network of nearby devices if you turned that option on. Mark the phone lost anyway, so the message appears the moment it turns on. If the thief took out the SIM, they cannot call or text on your line, but they can still use Wi-Fi.
Extra protection for iPhone: Stolen Device Protection
On iOS 17.3 and later, Stolen Device Protection makes it much harder for a thief who knows your passcode to change your Apple Account or turn off Find My. When you are away from familiar places, sensitive changes need Face ID or Touch ID and a short delay. Turn it on at Settings › Face ID & Passcode › Stolen Device Protection. It is a good setting for any iPhone, and it is best turned on before anything goes wrong.
What an Android phone gives you
Android phones with Google Play services have Factory Reset Protection, which asks for the old Google account after a reset. Samsung phones also have Samsung Find with a remote lock and the option to prevent power off. Use the app on another device, or sign in on the web. Set a strong PIN, not a pattern, and turn on any extra theft protection your phone offers in Settings › Security and privacy.
What to do over the next few days
- Check your bank and card statements for charges you do not recognize.
- Look at your email for password reset messages you did not request.
- Review the list of devices signed in to your Apple and Google accounts, and remove the stolen phone.
- Put a fraud alert on your credit if you think someone has your personal details. You can place one for free with a credit bureau.
- Report the theft to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if the thief uses your identity.
- Get a replacement phone and restore your data from your latest backup.
What if you only lost it, not stolen?
The first steps are the same, but the order changes. Try calling the number and using the sound feature in Find My or Find Hub first, because the phone may be nearby or in a place such as a taxi that can return it. Mark it lost with a message and a phone number, so an honest finder can reach you. Do not erase it right away. Give it a day or two, and if no one responds, treat it as stolen and follow the steps above. Keep the carrier line active for now, since a finder may call, but suspend it if you see unfamiliar charges.
What the police report should include
Give the officer the time, the place and what happened, along with the make, model, color and any marks on the phone, such as a cracked corner or a sticker. Add the IMEI and serial number, your phone number and carrier, and the location from Find My or Find Hub if you have it. Ask for the report number in writing, and the officer's name. You may be able to file online for a theft with no suspect, which is faster. Insurers often want the number within a few days, so do not wait for the case to close.
Do you need a new SIM, a new number or a new phone?
You can keep your number. Once the stolen line is suspended, ask the carrier for a new SIM or eSIM and put it in a replacement phone, and the number moves to it. Carriers can usually do this in a store with photo ID or through the app on another device. If you buy a used or cheaper phone while you wait for an insurance replacement, check that it works on your network first, and read how to check carrier compatibility. Restore your data from your latest backup, and if you have none, add a backup routine to the new phone at once.
How to be ready if it happens next time
- Turn on Find My iPhone, Find Hub or Samsung Find, and the option to find the phone when it is off.
- Use a six-digit passcode or a strong PIN, not a short or simple one, and turn on Face ID or a fingerprint.
- Write down your IMEI and serial number and keep it somewhere safe.
- Keep a current backup, so a replacement phone is quick to set up.
- Add a carrier account PIN, and turn on port-out protection, so no one can move your number.
- Consider insurance if a replacement would be hard to afford.
Frequently asked questions
Should I erase my stolen phone right away?
Not at once. Mark it as lost first, so you can still track it. Erase it only when you are sure you will not get it back, because erasing stops tracking.
Can a thief use my phone if it is locked?
They cannot easily use a phone that has a passcode and an account lock, but they can still sell it for parts. Reporting it to your carrier blocks it from networks and lowers its resale value.
Do I need a police report?
Usually yes. Insurers, carriers and sometimes credit card benefits ask for a report number before they pay a theft claim.
Will my carrier replace a stolen phone for free?
No. A carrier suspends the line and blocks the phone, but a free replacement comes only from insurance or a protection plan, usually after a deductible.
What to try next
People also ask
Is it safe to buy a used phone?
Yes, if you check the IMEI, confirm it is unlocked and not reported stolen, test the hardware and pay in a way that protects you. Buying from a store or marketplace with a return policy lowers the risk further.
Read the full guide: Buy a used phoneHow much does phone insurance usually cost?
Most plans charge a monthly fee plus a deductible each time you file a claim. Fees vary by phone and carrier, so add up the monthly cost over the years you will own the phone and add one or two deductibles.
Read the full guide: Is phone insurance worth it?What is the most important thing when choosing a cell phone plan?
Coverage where you live, work and travel. A cheap plan is no bargain if the signal is weak at home or on your commute.
Read the full guide: Choose a cell phone planShould I cancel my old carrier before switching?
No. If you cancel first, you can lose your number. Keep the old service active until the new carrier finishes moving your number; that closes the old line automatically.
Read the full guide: Switch phone carriersRelated guides
Buy a used phone
How to buy a used phone without getting a locked, stolen or worn-out one. Follow a 10-point checklist for IMEI, unlock status, battery, payment and returns.
Is phone insurance worth it?
Is phone insurance worth it for you? Use a simple break-even test, compare carrier, Apple, Samsung and credit card coverage, and learn what claims really cost.
Choose a cell phone plan
How to choose a cell phone plan in 7 steps: check coverage, measure your data, compare real monthly costs, read the fine print and test before you commit.
Switch phone carriers
Switch phone carriers without losing your number: check your phone is unlocked, get your account number and transfer PIN, and let the new carrier move the line.
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