Quick answer: Use another device or a web browser to open Find My (iPhone) or Find Hub (Android), play a sound, then mark the phone as lost. Call your carrier, and erase the phone only if you think it is gone for good. Set this up before you need it.
Losing a phone is stressful because it holds your photos, bank apps and two-factor codes. The good news is that both Apple and Google give you free tools to find, lock or wipe a missing device from afar.
These steps work for readers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe. The tools are the same everywhere, though your carrier and police process will differ by country.
What should I do first when my phone goes missing?
- Call the number from another phone and listen. It may be in a couch or car.
- Retrace your last steps and check with the shop, bus or venue.
- Open the tracking tool described below from a laptop, a family member’s phone or a friend’s phone.
For both systems, the phone needs power and an internet connection to share a live location, as Google’s help page explains. Without that, you may only see its last known position.
How do I find a lost iPhone?
Use the Find My app on another Apple device, or sign in to iCloud’s Find Devices page in a browser, according to SlashGear. Then:
- Check the last known location on the map.
- Tap Play Sound if you think it is nearby.
- Choose Mark As Lost to turn on Lost Mode. It can lock the phone with a passcode and disable Apple Pay.
- Switch on “Notify me when found” so you get an alert when it comes online.
If you suspect theft, be careful what you put on the lock screen. WRDW reports that Apple now advises against showing your phone number on a stolen phone, because thieves can use it in scams. SlashGear also suggests not adding your home or work address.
Apple’s advice, as reported by WRDW, also includes keeping the phone in Find My. Removing it turns off Activation Lock. And ignore any message that claims to be from Apple saying your stolen phone was found and asking for your passcode.
How do I find a lost Android phone?
Open the Find Hub app on another Android phone or tablet, or go to the Find Hub website in a browser, then sign in with the Google Account on the lost phone. Google lists these requirements: the phone has power, is online, is signed in to a Google Account with Find Hub turned on, and is visible on Google Play.
Select the device and, if asked, enter the lock screen PIN of the missing phone. You can then:
- Play sound: rings at full volume for 5 minutes, even on silent.
- Mark as lost: locks the device and lets you show a contact message on the lock screen.
- Erase: factory resets the phone. This permanently deletes data.
When the phone is within about 10 meters, “Find nearby” can help you pinpoint it, per Google. If you are helping a friend, use guest sign-in.
Who else do I need to contact?
Your mobile carrier
Tell your carrier the phone is lost or stolen so it can suspend the plan and stop calls, texts and data. SlashGear says carriers can also block the phone by its IMEI number. Mobiles.co.uk also covers lost-phone steps for UK users. Keep the IMEI handy. Note that Google says some devices, such as the Pixel Tablet, have no IMEI, so a carrier cannot disable them that way.
The police
If the phone was stolen, file a report. Have the serial number and IMEI ready. SlashGear says you can find them under Devices at appleid.apple.com or on the original packaging.
Your accounts
Change your Apple Account or Google password and check that two-factor authentication is on. Watch for phishing texts that pretend your phone has been found. If you get one, see our guide on where to report a scam.
When should I erase the phone?
Only when recovery looks unlikely. Apple’s Erase This Device option removes your data but, on iOS versions older than 15, also stops you locating the phone, notes SlashGear. On Google’s side, an erased device no longer appears in Find Hub, and you need your Google Account password to use it again if it is recovered.
Before any of this, make sure your photos and contacts are safe. Our guide to backing up an iPhone or Android phone takes a few minutes. For other tips, browse our more mobile news and guides page.
How can I prepare before a phone goes missing?
- Turn on Find My on iPhone or Find Hub on Android now, and test it once.
- Keep Location Services on. Mobiles.co.uk notes that it is needed to show the phone on a map.
- Use a strong lock screen passcode.
- Write down your IMEI and serial number and store them somewhere other than the phone.
- Keep regular backups.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find a phone that is switched off?
Possibly. Both tools may show a last known location. The sources we found do not promise more than that, so act quickly.
Should I put my phone number on the lock screen?
For a phone that may simply be misplaced, a contact message can help an honest finder. If you think it was stolen, Apple advises against showing your number, per WRDW.
Will the carrier find my phone for me?
Not usually. According to SlashGear, carriers suspend service and can block the IMEI. Location tracking is done through Find My or Find Hub.
Is it safe to erase my phone remotely?
It protects your data but cannot be undone. Try locating and locking first.