Has your Android smartphone been lost or stolen? A common impression is that everyone is collapsing in this situation and one does not necessarily know how to react and what to do. Here we describe the steps to follow if you face theft or loss of your mobile. Getting stolen or losing your smartphone is unpleasant. Beyond the material loss and financial investment, it requires the purchase of a new device. this also means making arrangements with its operator and to worry about all the data that is stored on its mobile. We explain here how to react when we live this
Has your Android smartphone been lost or stolen? A common impression is that everyone is collapsing in this situation and one does not necessarily know how to react and what to do. Here we describe the steps to follow if you face theft or loss of your mobile.
Getting stolen or losing your smartphone is unpleasant. Beyond the material loss and financial investment, it requires the purchase of a new device. this also means making arrangements with its operator and to worry about all the data that is stored on its mobile. We explain here how to react when we live this unpleasant experience.
Precautions before theft or loss of the smartphone
Let’s start with the basics, namely what to do as soon as you acquire a new smartphone to anticipate this kind of problem and be able to be better organized when the fateful moment arrives.
First, note the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of the smartphone. It is a unique code consisting of 15 digits which is the equivalent of a mobile ID card. This number will be useful to you. The IMEI is displayed on the box in which the smartphone was stored at the time of purchase. You can also retrieve it by dialling * # 06 # on the smartphone keypad.
Another solution: go to Settings, then to System, About the phone, Status and Information on the IMEI code. On older models with a removable battery, the code can also be found under the battery. Once you find the IMEI, write it down where you can easily access it.
Secure access to your smartphone. Thus, a thief will not be able to easily access the system and your personal information. It could be forbidding at a time to unlock your phone each time you use it: enter a code, password or draw a diagram … But there is no excuse today with fingerprint readers and Facials recognition, which stops let anyone enter your smartphone without spoiling the daily user experience.
To avoid losing all your data (contacts, photos, messages, applications, etc.), we also recommend that you save them regularly, or even activate automatic cloud backup. With services like Google Photos or Drive, you can be sure of getting everything you care about.
The other recommendation we can give you is to enable the remote location of the device. To do this, go to Settings, Google, Security and then Locate my device remotely. This activates a useful feature in the event of theft or loss of a laptop, but we will write detail about this a little later.
Finally, keep a well-handwritten piece of paper slipped into the wallet or in the pocket of a handbag, for example, the numbers that you will be able to call in case of the losing your mobile.
Lost Your Mobile Phone??
Has your smartphone been lost or stolen? The first thing to do is to contact your operator to report this situation and they can take action on it. You can make a phone call to the customer care service or your customer care office
The operator will then deactivate the SIM card. Thus, you will not be billed or thief can’t use it for illegal purpose. You can turn it back on if you have a chance to find the phone. Otherwise, to keep your number and your subscription, you must order a new SIM card from the operator.
Locate the Android smartphone
You can try to find it thanks to the localization. An application is available for this on the Play Store if you can access another smartphone or tablet on Android. You can also go through the website from any browser. You will then be able to check where the last activity took place via the Maps timeline. If the thief has turned off the smartphone, it becomes impossible to locate it.
To locate your lost Android smartphone:
- Click here to access the Map My Device card from your PC
- Click on the smartphone you lost at the top of the screen
This tool allows you to ring the device to find it. It even works in silent mode. If you wish to try to communicate with the person who is now in possession of your mobile, you can also via this interface display a message or a contact telephone number on the screen. Who knows, a well individual may have fallen on your smartphone and would be ready to return it to you
Erase mobile data remotely
It is from the same Google platform as for location. You will be able to lock the smartphone, log out of your Google Account and even delete all the content on your mobile. Once you’re pretty sure you’re never going to get it again, this step is a must.
Do not hesitate if you have confidential messages or manage your bank accounts from your mobile. Please note that it will no longer be possible to locate the smartphone once the data has been deleted. If the device is switched off at the time of handling, the deletion will take place during the next switching on.
Once you have secured your data, it is time to report the theft or loss to the competent authorities, namely to a police service. It is very rare that you can find your mobile phone as well, but this procedure must be performed for several reasons.
Before going to the police station, make sure you know the following in addition to the IMEI number: the brand and model of the mobile phone, the phone number (s). You may also be asked to describe the circumstances of the theft (location, precise date, etc.
