In the event of your device being lost or stolen, you should consider the following:

Change all passwords - If you believe that your device might be stolen, as a precautionary measure it is good to change all the passwords to your accounts that are logged in. It is also advisable to use a trusted device to logout from all sessions on the lost device.

Changing all of your passwords is much easier and safer with the help of specialised applications called password managers. These apps securely store your login credentials and protect them with a master password. That way, you only need to remember your master password and you can copy/paste your other credentials directly from the app. Password management software usually has the option to automatically generate a long and complex password, made of randomised characters and symbols. Applications commonly used for password management are KeePass, KeePassXC and Bitwarden.

Remote lock and erase - Android phones, in case they have the “Find My Device” option enabled, provide you with the possibility to remotely lock them with your PIN, pattern, or password or even erase all data on the phone. Google provides further instructions on how to secure seized Android devices. Similar options are provided by Apple for iOS devices such as iPhone or iPad.

Locate a device - In case you can’t find your device and suspect that it might be stolen, there are ways to determine its possible location. For example, smartphones based on Android and iPhones have the option to remotely locate your device. For further details and requirements (e.g. the device must be turned on, connected to the internet, etc.) on how to enable the remote find option visit Google’s instructions for Android devices or Apple’s guide in case the device is an iPhone or iPad.

Report the disappearance - If you did not manage to find your phone or you are confident it has been stolen, make sure to report it to the police. Try to remember where and when you last had your device with you and any other details that might be of help (were you alone or with someone, etc.).