Lost your phone? Do these things first

Losing your phone is stressful, and everything you would normally use to fix it is on the phone. Work through these steps in order, from a borrowed phone or a computer.

What to do, step by step

  1. Try to locate or ring it

    Sign in to Apple's Find My or Google's Find Hub from any browser or a borrowed phone. If it is nearby, make it play a sound. If it is not, mark it as lost so it locks and shows a message with a number where you can be reached.

  2. Tell someone you trust

    Call or message a family member or friend so they know you are okay and can reach you on the number you are using. If you do not know numbers by heart, use a saved list or an assistant that has them.

  3. Lock or erase it if you cannot get it back

    If you think it was stolen, lock it remotely and sign out of your accounts. Erasing it is a last resort, because you can no longer locate a phone you have erased.

  4. Call your mobile carrier

    Ask them to suspend service, or put a hold on your number. Ask about a SIM lock so nobody can use your number for texts and verification codes. Have your account PIN ready if you saved one.

  5. Protect your money and accounts

    Contact your bank or card issuer if a wallet, payment app or banking app was on the phone. Change the password on your email and Apple or Google account first, because they can reset almost everything else.

  6. Report it if it was stolen

    File a police report if you suspect theft. Your carrier or insurer may ask for the report number.

  7. Get a replacement and restore

    Order a new phone or use a spare. Sign in to the same Apple or Google account to restore backups, then move your number to a new SIM or eSIM through your carrier.

Call a backup plan from any phone

OperatorDirect is a phone line with an AI assistant. Set it up before you need it, then call from any borrowed phone to reach the people and details you saved.

Already set up? Call 1-844-HELP-077 and enter your number and PIN.

Set up your backup plan How a call works

Common questions

How do I find a lost phone that is turned off?

Find My and Find Hub show the last known location and can notify you when the phone connects again. Mark it as lost so it locks as soon as it is back online.

Can I call my bank without my phone?

Yes. Most banks have a lost-card or fraud line that works from any phone, and the number is printed on the back of your card, on statements and on the bank's website. OperatorDirect can read a number you saved earlier.

Should I erase my phone right away?

Usually not. Locate and lock it first. Erase it only if you are confident you will not recover it, because erasing stops location tracking.

What if I do not remember anyone's phone number?

That is common, since phones store numbers for us. Ask a mutual friend, check a social account from a computer, or save a short list of key numbers ahead of time so you are not relying on memory.

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