Today, losing your cell phone is one of the misadventures that put us in the most trouble. Phoning is just one of the many activities we use our phones for, and the thought that a stranger has access to all of our personal information can cause us to panic. Learning how to find your lost mobile phone can reassure you and help protect your private information.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Find a Phone of Any Type
Step 1. Call your phone
The easiest way to find a mobile phone is to call it with another device. This method works even if yours is not a smartphone. Ask a friend to call your number, or use a free online service like wheresmycellphone.com or freecall.com to phone you yourself from a computer.
Step 2. Ask someone to text you
If you prefer not to call, try to receive a message on your mobile. If you had really lost it (lost in a public place, not left in your pants in the closet), you could write an SMS to your number with the information necessary to contact you, to allow those who found it to return it to you.
- If you can't ask anyone to text you, try a free online service like txt2day.com.
- You can also try offering a reward with a message for finding your phone. This could convince whoever found him to contact you and bring him back.
Step 3. Retrace your steps
It can be useful for finding any lost object, not just a cell phone. If you realize you have lost your phone after visiting a place where you are sure you had it, retracing your steps may find it again (if no one took it).
- Whatever you do, don't panic. Worrying too much can only make the situation worse and you will not be able to find focus.
- Sit down for a moment, then think about where you've been and what you've done. Consider where and when you remember using your phone for the last time and go from there.
- If you've been to restaurants or shops before you lost your phone, try asking a salesperson if anyone found it. If one of the employees has your cell phone, you should be able to retrieve it with a simple description or by stating your number.
Step 4. Contact your carrier
Some cellular network operators offer their customers GPS tracking services. Even if that's not the case, at least you can request a SIM lock.
Search the internet for your operator's customer service number, or search the telephone directory for their office numbers
Method 2 of 4: Find a Smart Phone
Step 1. Find an Android phone
If you have lost a mobile phone running Android, there are two ways to find it. If the device is still on and connected to a wireless signal, you can find it from a computer using the Device Manager program. If your phone is turned off or not connected to a network, you can check its last recorded location on a computer.
- To use Device Manager, log into your Google account from a computer or other device; the program should immediately show you the location of your phone on a Google Maps screen. It also gives you the option to lock your phone, ring it or completely erase its contents.
- Check your phone's last recorded location by going to google.com/settings/accounthistory. Then, click on "Visited places" and on "Manage history". This option requires a wi-fi connection and a mobile signal instead of GPS, so it's not as accurate as the previous tracking method.
Step 2. Search for a BlackBerry phone
These devices typically do not include tracking services or applications. However, you can sign up for third-party services like Berry Locator. This is a service available only in some states, which sends a message to your lost mobile phone and allows you to view its location on a map.
Step 3. Find your iPhone
The primary method of tracking a lost iPhone is to use the "Find My iPhone" app. If you haven't downloaded this app, you will need to do it from the App Store. The program is pretty neat, but it requires your phone to be turned on and connected to the internet to work.
- Using a computer or other mobile device, log into your iCloud account and open "Find My iPhone". You should see the location of your phone on the map, and you can even track its movements.
- "Find my iPhone" gives you the possibility to make the phone ring remotely (to alert you and any passers-by of its location and that it has been lost or stolen), to send a message to the mobile phone with your contact information and to delete all contents within it.
Step 4. Track down a Windows phone
Windows OS users can track their lost phone using the built-in functionality available to all models with Windows 8.1 or later. Simply visit the Microsoft devices page from a computer or tablet with a wi-fi connection to browse a list of all the Windows phones and tablets you own. At that point you can use the tracking service to find out the location of the device you have chosen.
After logging into the lost phone tracking service, you can remotely lock the phone or delete the data it contains
Method 3 of 4: Take action
Step 1. Use your head and take no chances
If you think your device has been stolen, Not try to recover it by yourself. File a report on a regular basis and let the professionals take care of the problem for you. Trying to get your phone back you could end up in serious trouble and even lose your life.
Step 2. Delete your passwords and login credentials
How quickly you should take this action depends on how much you use your phone for online interactions. For some it may be a simple process, for others it may be very challenging. You could also block all credit cards associated with the accounts you used on your phone (for example on the App Store).
- If you are afraid that your phone may be in the hands of a thief, rush this step to avoid identity theft.
- Better to start blocking accounts and resetting passwords right away before continuing to physically search for the phone. This will minimize the potential harm that a person having access to your information can cause. The only possible drawback is that you will be forced to use new passwords if you find your cell phone.
- Start with the most important passwords. Typically email, bank accounts, Facebook accounts, and cloud storage services fall into this category. Start with personal and financial information. After changing the master passwords, you can reset those of the less important services.
Step 3. Contact your carrier
Please have the details of your contract handy so that you can block it. You may need a password or code if your account has one. This process prevents anyone in possession of your phone from making unauthorized calls with your SIM card.
If you have a phone contract with a bill and not a prepaid SIM, you should call your phone company no more than 2 hours after losing your mobile phone and ask for your card to be deactivated
Step 4. File a complaint
Visit the nearest police or carabinieri station. Cell phone services often require a copy of the report so that you can collect what you are owed. Some phone companies also require a complaint to deactivate an account.
Lost cell phones are often taken to the police and never claimed, because people think no one can be kind enough to return them
Method 4 of 4: Avoid Losing Your Mobile Phone in the Future
Step 1. Register your phone's serial number somewhere
Each mobile phone has an electronic serial number. Depending on the type and model of the device, the unique identification number can be defined as IMEI (International mobile equipment identity), MEID (Mobile equipment identifier) or ESN (Electronic serial number). It is often found on a sticker under the battery, although its location is different on each phone.
- Look for the serial number of the mobile phone at the time of purchase. Write it down and keep it in a safe place in the house.
- If you lose your phone, you can give its serial number to the police and your operator.
Step 2. Register your phone on the internet
Some online services, such as MissingPhones.org, allow you to register your mobile on a website. If you lose it in the future, the service could help you get it back.
To register your phone you need the serial number of the device
Step 3. Establish a place for everything
If you have a tendency to lose items, you can try to reduce the frequency of these episodes. Try to get into the habit of leaving items in specific places, so you always know where to look for them.
- If you have a tendency to not find your cell phone at home, try placing it on a nightstand or low table when you don't have it in your pocket.
- When you have your phone with you, always keep it in the same pocket and make sure you have everything when you get up. For example, you could tap each pocket to make sure you have your keys, wallet, and cell phone.
Step 4. Prepare to avoid losing your phone in the future
You can take some precautions to be able to find your mobile more easily if you lose it. You can register it on a GPS tracking service, through your carrier or with a third party company such as AccuTrackin or Belon.gs. You can also keep a card with your phone's serial number in your wallet.
Advice
- If you can, always protect your phone with a password. Many mobile phones offer the option to block access with a code of your choice.
- Write the contact details on the main screen of your phone. This way you can help an honest person who wants to hand your phone back to you. Keep in mind, however, that it is also a risk, because the same information could happen to a criminal.
- Back up the data on your phone so you don't lose it if you ever lose it.
- Before you lose your phone, find out its identification code. To do this, press the following buttons on your phone's numeric keypad: * # 06 #. Keep this information in a safe place, in anticipation of possible loss.
