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IT’S SOMETHING THAT we never think will happen to us, but the chances of your phone being robbed or getting lost is higher than you would expect.
With over 12,000 mobile phones stolen in the last year, you should take some measures in case it does happen to you further down the line.
Considering how much information we store on it, it can be very worrying when it happens, but there are a number of steps you should take first to ensure you’re not left in a panic.
Set a lock code
An obvious one, but at the very least, your phone should require a code to unlock it.
All phones set PINs as the default choice, but they’re not the most secure method. If you’re a iPhone and Windows Phone user, you can create a more complex password – similar to the passwords you use to log into your email or social media accounts – through settings.
Android users have that and more to choose from including a pattern password, and face unlocking, which while handy, isn’t as secure as you would expect.
iOS and Windows Phone users have the option of wiping the phone clean after a number of failed attempts.
An example of some of the type of lock codes you can place on Android.
Limit access on the lock screen
iPhone and Android users can access the control center or widgets straight from the lock screen. While this is handy for you, it could also allow someone who stole your phone to access your phone. You can turn these features off in settings.
Activate Find My Phone
All smartphones have a find my phone feature that allows you to control your phone remotely as well as track its location. Through it, you can either get it to ring, lock your phone, or erase its data entirely, but you need to activate the feature first.
The option can be found in settings. For iPhone users, it’s under iCloud. Android users can find it under Security and Device Administrators, while Windows Phone users can find it under settings.
Once you’ve that done, you can activate it from your browser. Remember that the phone must be switched on for the feature to work. However, if the phone is turned off, you won’t be able to track it.
How the find my phone feature works for iOS.
Backup all data
Something that you should do after you’ve updated your phone with your contacts, schedule, photos and any other necessary information is back it up as soon as you get the chance.
You can backup your data on your computer, on the cloud, or on both. iOS, Android and Windows Phone all have their own cloud versions and once you have it connected to the cloud, your phone will automatically backup your data when it’s connected to WiFi, locked and connected to a power source.
While these services are useful, it’s recommended that you connect up to Dropbox, Google Drive or Microsoft Skydrive as well so that all new photos, videos other documents are uploaded each time.
Which one you settle for is entirely down to preference, but it’s worth mentioning each service offers a different amount of data for free as well as paid services. Here’s what the three main cloud services offer:
Dropbox – 2GB (increase to 15GB when you complete tasks)
Google Drive – 15GB
Microsoft SkyDrive – 7GB (Currently offering an extra 20GB for the year if you sign up before the end of January)
Get your phone code
If you enter *#06# on your phone, it will bring up its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. This is important as the code allows your service provider to deactivate your phone straight away.
Take a note of it and store it in a place where you can easily access it, in case your phone is stolen.
If you don’t have it, you can still get your provider to deactivate your phone once you give them the necessary details, but having your IMEI number will make things go faster.
Always be alert
When everything is said and done, it’s essentially down to you to ensure it’s safe. Apply common sense to the situation and keep your phone on you at all times.
If you keep it in your bag, you won’t know it’s been taken until it’s too late so have it in your pocket or in front of you so you always know where it is.
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2 best out there are Gcloud and Avira.
Have used both, recommended to all my friends.
Saved many a friends photos, contacts etc.
Gcloud fantastic if changing phone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I am a believer in iPhone.
But my iPhone was stolen/lost last week.
Find my iPhone is useless.
The minute the thief gets hold of your phone he/she switches it off.
They then go to an area of zero internet coverage and attempt to crack your pin to access confidential data.
If there is no internet coverage the wipe all data function won’t kick in.
If your phone is stolen call your service provider and cancel your number and❗️❗️. Pass on the 15 digit IMEI code to virtually render your ex phone useless.
If you set it up properly, the thief would need another pass code to deactivate Find My Phone.
Bit late to tell you now, I know. Sorry. :-/
Are they actually stolen or just reported stolen to get a free upgrade? 12,000 is a huge number.
No such thing as a free upgrade because of a stolen phone. Unless your phone’s insured you get nothing and still have to finish your contract.
Absolute awful english from some people commenting on this feed!
Quick lads. Run.
It’s the grammar police.
I taut they ask spoke very goodly
Absolutely*
And *English
Prey is a great app for both mobile and laptops
what has religion got to do with this topic
Two thumbs down…
I have it installed on every device I can. I almost hope I’m robbed. :)
If you got a new Android device, please make sure that Remote Wiping and Remote Locking is enabled.
So if you lose your device, you can go to the “Android Device Manager” (First result in Google), click and protected!
Note: Make a note of your IMEI number (*#06# or the sticker under your battery) and store it somewhere safe. You can give the IMEI number to the Gardai who can then pass it on to your network provider who can disable the phone if you have forgotten to use the above method.
If you use Gmail or Google Drive. Please for the love of god, use 2-step authentication using the “Google Authenticator” app that is free.
Kids around? Open the “Play Store” app, Go into the “Settings” and tap the checkbox for ‘Password’, which means that a password is required to do in-app purchases.
Last one (probably not relevent for this article but I shall put it here anyway), get a case for your phone. €10 for a cheap case is better than paying €100-€200 for a new screen!
Smart phones shouldnt be given thick people….
Thats where the problem lies….
And yet you have one it seems
If you ring your provider to deactivate your phone, does that delete everything, your photos messages contacts, always wondered how that works
No, they cannot delete all the data on the phone. They claim they can deactivate the phone but I seriously doubt they can.
They block the handset from being used with another sim card.
Otherwise the data & other handset functions will continue to work.
They can deactivate its use as a phone by blocking the imei number but you can have a new number assigned to the handset easily by getting an old handset of any make from the se network and retrieving and using that imei number. Phones are not at all secure!
*same
@lloyd when a phone is deactivated or ‘blacklisted’ all the networks in the country are sent the IMEI and told not to allow the handset be used on their network. Problem is once the phone is outside Ireland, it’s no longer blacklisted so chances are any phones stolen are just shipped abroad. The networks will tell you the phone is useless so customers don’t escalate, but that’s not true.
Let us give thanks for the never-ending recurring monthly charges.
Ready to go
Just go sim only after your contract and it’s really cheap. The phone companies don’t automatically change the tariff down once the initial 12/18/24 mth contract is up unless you ask them, very sneaky!!. Mine went from 45/mth to now 16/mth with exactly the same bundle.
So if your phone is working fine go sim only, unless you really need to upgrade.
Buy iPhone 5 an turn find my iPhone on never be robbed without finding it
Unless you steal the phone and turn Find My iPhone off. If you don’t want this to happen, you also have to enable restrictions and apply them to FMi.
FIND MY I PHONE SWITCH ON IN LOCATION SERVICES A BATTERY EATEAR DRAINS BATTERY NOT WORTH SWITCHING ON
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