Your hand pats your pocket. Nothing. You check your bag. Nothing. You retrace your steps. Nothing.
Your phone is gone.
Panic sets in. Not because of the cost of the device, but because of what is on it. Your photos, your messages, your banking apps, your passwords, your two-factor authentication codes.
Someone else could have it right now. Someone could be swiping through your life.
Do not panic. You have time. And you have tools to protect yourself.
Here is exactly how to remotely wipe your lost phone before anyone can access your data, step by step, for both iPhones and Android devices.
Do this now.
The Simple Answer
You may wipe a lost mobile device through the built-in tracking app (Find My Device) or find the Phone Me application for iOS and Android devices. With these applications, you can remotely lock the device, display a message on the screen, and wipe all information from the device.
Time Is of the Essence. You Must Act As Soon As Possible! Your data could be lost each minute your phone has not been wiped; therefore, you must take steps to locate the device, reduce your risk, and securely erase your phone if necessary.
Action Steps to Take Instantly (Before Wiping)
Before you wipe your mobile device remotely, you should check whether your mobile device can be located.
You might have just dropped it under the car seat or left it at a friend's house. Use the tracking feature to see where it is before you erase everything.
Second, consider locking it first instead of wiping immediately.
If you think you might be able to recover the phone, lock it and display a message with your contact information. Someone honest might return it.
If you are sure the phone is gone for good or if you see it moving away from you, wipe it immediately.
Do not wait. The longer you wait, the more time a thief has to access your data.
Let me show you how to do both, lock and wipe, for each type of phone.
How to Remotely Wipe an iPhone Using Find My iPhone
Apple's Find My iPhone is the most reliable remote wipe tool available. You can use it from any web browser or from another Apple device:
Step 1: Go to iCloud.com
Open any web browser on a computer, tablet, or any phone. Go to icloud.com.
Sign in with your Apple ID and password. This is the same account you use for the App Store and iCloud on your lost phone.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled (you should), Apple will send a verification code to your trusted phone number. If your lost phone is your only trusted device, click "Find My iPhone" directly from the iCloud website without completing two-factor authentication. Apple allows this for Find My access.
Step 2: Open Find My iPhone
Click on "Find My iPhone." You may be asked to sign in again.
A map will appear showing the location of all your Apple devices.
Step 3: Identify The Phone You Have Misplaced
After selecting 'All Devices' at the top, you will need to pick your lost device from the list of all devices you own.
As well, if your device is online, you will see a live view of its location using Apple Maps. However, if it is offline, you will see the last known location.
Step 4: Determine What Action You Want To Take
There are three ways to track down your device (or what action you want to take):
Option 1: Play a Sound
If you think your device is close (like beneath your couch or in your coat), click ‘Play Sound’. Your device will play a loud sound even if your phone is in silence. Sound out the device as you try to find it.
Option 2: Activation of Lost Mode
Select “Lost Mode” and your device will instantly lock itself. You can also set up a custom message on your phone which will appear on the Lock Screen saying “Please call me [insert phone number here] if you find this device.” This will also disable/enable Apple Pay as well as anybody being able to use the device without using a passcode.
Use this option if you hope to get your phone back.
Option 3: Erase iPhone
Click "Erase iPhone" to wipe all data remotely. This is your nuclear option.
After erasing, you cannot track the phone anymore. Use this only if you are sure you will not recover it, or if you see the phone moving away from you.
How Erasing Works:
When you choose to erase your iPhone, a command is sent to it from Apple (if the phone can access the Internet). Once connected, the phone will erase itself. If not connected to the Internet, it will erase once connected to the Internet.
Erasing your iPhone sets the iPhone back to Factory Settings. All of your content from the phone (including pictures, text messages, call logs, contacts, applications, and passwords) will be deleted from the iPhone.
NOTE: Activation Lock will remain in effect even after your phone has been erased. This means thieves will not be able to turn your iPhone into a new iPhone without knowing your password. The iPhone would then be considered "bricked."
Optional Step 5: Remove your iPhone from your list of trusted devices for Apple ID. This way, no one can receive two-factor authentication codes when accessing the internet through your iPhone.
How to Remotely Wipe an Android Phone Using Find My Device
Google's Find My Device works similarly to Apple's Find My iPhone. You can use it from any web browser:
Step 1: Visit the Android Find Website
Using your computer, tablet or phone's web browser, go to https://android.com/find. Sign in using the Google account associated with your lost phone. You may have to verify that it is you signing in.
Step 2: Identify the Phone
Once logged into the Android Find site, you will automatically see your lost phone on the map. If you have more than one Android device, use the drop down menu at the top of the page to select the correct phone.
Step 3: Choose What to Do
There are three options located at the bottom of the page. You may choose from the following:
Option 1: Play a Sound
If you think your phone is near, click on the "Play Sound" option. Your phone will ring at full volume for 5 minutes regardless of whether it is on vibrate/silent or not.
Option 2: Lock Your Device
By clicking on the "Secure Device" option, your phone will be locked and a custom message will be displayed on your lock screen. You can add a message such as: "If found please call [insert your phone number]." You may also enter a phone number into the box provided that will be displayed on your phone's lock screen.
This option also allows you to sign out of your Google account on the lost device preventing access to your Gmail, Google Drive, and any other services linked with your Google account.
Use this if you hope to recover the phone.
Option 3: Erase Device
Click "Erase Device" to wipe all data from your phone.
Warning: After you erase the device, Find My Device will no longer work. You cannot track it or wipe it again. Use this only if you are certain you will not get the phone back.
Use Google's Find My Device for remotely wiping your device:
1. The command to erase your device will then be sent by Google.
2. Erasing will happen quickly if the device is connected to Wi-Fi or any cellular data (verify this with your phone provider).
3. If your device is not connected to Wi-Fi or any cellular data when you initiate the command through Google, then it will be carried out when it does re-establish a connection to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
4. Your device will be wiped clean and will return to its factory settings.
If you have a Samsung device, you can also access the Find My Mobile service at findmymobile.samsung.com, which includes extra services like backing up data before erasing and retrieving call logs and text messages; however, you must log into your Samsung account to access these services.
Step 4: Change the password for your Google account.
Once you unlock and secure your device, then you must change the password of your Google account such that if the thief tries to access your device before the wipe command is executed, they cannot gain access to your Google accounts or files.
Go to myaccount.google.com and change your password. Next, review your recovery email and telephone number. Ensure they have not been changed.
What If Your Phone Is Offline
If your phone is turned off, not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, or the SIM card has been removed, the remote wipe command will not execute immediately.
Do not worry. The command is stored in Apple's or Google's servers. The moment your phone comes online, the wipe command will execute.
Things To Do While You Are Waiting:
1. Reset all of your password for any important accounts. (Email, Banks, Social media/myspace, etc)
2. Contact your Bank if any of your banking apps were installed on the phone.
3. Contact your Cellular Provider to suspend service on your SIM card.
4. Continue to check the Find My iPhone tracking map. If the phone comes on line you will be able to see where the phone is located.
DO NOT CANCEL the WIPE COMMAND. If you cancel and the thief connects your cell phone to the internet, the thief will have access to your information.
What About Other Phone Brands
Samsung Devices
Samsung devices (phones) now have a tracking service by Samsung (Find My Mobile) mentioned earlier, this service can be found at http://findmymobile.samsung.com.
This service allows you to lock your phone, locate your phone or WIPE your phone (erasing all personal data) no matter whether you have Find My Device by Google. You must have a valid Samsung account (on the phone) and activated Remote Control to use this service.
PIXEL Devices/Phones
The Google Find My Device service works properly on Pixel devices. All Features are available on the Google service.
One plus, Xiaomi, Oppo and Others
These brands' devices use Google Find My Device. You follow the same instructions given above at http://android.com/find to track these brands of devices.
Some manufacturers have their own tracking apps. Check your phone manufacturer's website if you remember setting up a proprietary account (like Xiaomi Account or OnePlus Account).
How to Remove Access to Your Important Accounts
Remote wiping your phone protects the data on the device, but a thief might already have accessed your accounts before you wiped.
Take these additional steps immediately:
Change your email password
Your email is the gateway to every other account. If the thief got into your email, they can reset passwords for your banking, social media, and anything else.
Revoke all active sessions
Most online services let you see where you are logged in and log out remotely.
1. If you have lost your phone that cannot be traced, go to myaccount.google.com > go to the Security tab > select Manage Devices > select Recent Activity > choose Sign Out next to your phone that cannot be traced, with the exception of your other devices.
2. To log out of a device which has a Facebook Account associated with it, go to your Settings > press on the Security and Login option in the menu > from the Where You've Logged In option, select Logout on the telecommunications device associated with this Facebook Account.
3. When your Instagram Account is tied to a phone that has been lost, go to your Settings Page > click on the Security option > select the Login Activity option > press on the three dots next to that device and then select Logout.
4. To log out from Twitter (X) due to the inability to find your mobile device, go to the Settings/Privacy page > click on Security & Account Access > locate Apps and Sessions > access Sessions > and then click Log Out next to your missing smartphone.
After you've signed out, contact your bank
If you had your banking apps on your phone, call your bank right away. They will be able to freeze your accounts, reissue new cards and monitor for any fraudulent activities.
Suspend your SIM card
Call your mobile carrier and have them suspend your SIM card so that nobody can continue to use your phone number to receive text messages, including 2-factor authentication codes.
Verify your two-factor authentication configurations
When you lose a phone that has been used to generate two-factor authentication codes using an authenticator application (such as Google Authenticator or Authy) you will need to remove that phone from the account you were using it with.
1. For Google Authenticator: You must log into your Google Account on a new device and navigate to the Two-Step Verification Settings to remove it as an authenticator device.
2. For Authy: Authy can be reinstalled on the new device using the backup password. If you don’t have the backup password you can contact Authy Support.
A better idea: Use backup codes
When you enable two factor authentication for most online services, they will give you some form of backup codes. If you created some method of saving these codes, either digitally or physically, they can be used as a means of re-gaining access to your accounts, even if you no longer have your phone.
How to Prevent This from Happening Again
Once your crisis is over, take these steps so you are prepared for next time.
Enable remote tracking and wiping now
Do not wait until you lose your phone. Turn on Find My iPhone (Apple) or Find My Device (Android) today.
iPhone Users:
From the iPhone home screen hit the Settings app, tap on your name ; select Find My, then Select Find My iPhone, then enable both Find My iPhone and Find My Network so you can be located regardless if you are connected to the internet.
Android Users:
From home screen tap the Settings app, tap Security, tap Find My Device, then enable Find My Device to locate your phone. Make sure to also enable Store Location History on the Find My Device page to see where your device has been.
Use a Strong Screen Lock
Try to use a more intricate screen lock that includes six numbers, an alphanumeric password, or biometric (finger print, or face recognition) if possible rather than using a simple swipe pattern or 4 digit PIN.
Enable Two - Factor Authentication
To ensure only one person can track and wipe the device, enable two - factor authentication on your Apple or Google ID.
Setup a Recovery Contact or Recovery Email
Setting up a recovery contact, or recovery email provides you with a way to verify your credentials and regain access so that if you are ever locked out of your account you have a recovery plan in place.
Write down your backup codes
When you set up two-factor authentication, save the backup codes in a safe place (not on your phone). A physical safe, a locked drawer, or a password manager on your computer.
Back up your phone regularly
If you do have to wipe your phone remotely, you want to be able to restore your data to a new phone. Enable iCloud Backup (iPhone) or Google Backup (Android) today.
What If You Never Set Up Remote Tracking
If you never enabled Find My iPhone or Find My Device before losing your phone, you cannot use these tools now:
You cannot remotely wipe your phone
But you are not helpless. You can still protect your data.
Change all your passwords immediately
Start with your email, then your banking, then your social media, then everything else.
Revoke all active sessions
Go to each service's security settings and log out all devices.
Contact your bank and credit card companies
If you had banking or credit card apps on your phone, call them now.
Suspend your SIM card
Call your mobile carrier and suspend your SIM.
Consider filing a police report
If your phone was stolen, file a report. The police will not track your phone, but the report can help with insurance claims.
Learn for next time
After you get a new phone, enable remote tracking and wiping immediately. You will be prepared if this happens again.
A Quick Checklist
Print this or save it for future reference.
Right now (this minute):
1. Go to icloud.com or android.com/find.
2. Locate your phone on the map.
3. If you are near the phone: Play a sound.
4. If you are trying to get the phone back: Lock your phone and leave a message.
5. If you are not going to get your phone back: Erase your phone as soon as possible.
In the next hour, there are several important things you should do:
1. Change your email password.
2. Change your online banking passwords.
3. Terminate the service on your SIM card (which is associated with the phone).
4. Look at all the places where you have signed in to an account using your lost phone, and log out there too.
5. Inform your bank that your phone was stolen/worked on.
Over the next 24 hours there are a lot of additional things that you need to do:
1. Remove your phone from your list of "trusted devices" and disable any "two-step verification" associated with it.
2. Report the loss of your phone to the police (if necessary).
3. Buy or use a new phone for research.
Once you have the new phone:
1. Make sure the “find my phone” app or something similar is on when used.
2. Use an innovative “lock code” or similar system to unlock your phone.
3. Use “2-step verification” wherever possible.
4. Protect your backup code.
5. Consistently ensure that your mobile device is regularly backed up and that you have robust data backups for your new mobile device.
The Bottom Line
Losing your phone is stressful, and the fear of someone accessing your personal data makes it worse.
But you have tools to protect yourself. Find My iPhone and Find My Device were built for exactly this situation.
Act now. Log into iCloud or Google Find My Device from any computer. Locate your phone. Lock it if you hope to recover it. Erase it if you do not.
Then change your passwords, suspend your SIM, and contact your bank.
You can get through this. Your data is not gone yet, and with quick action, you can keep it out of the wrong hands.
Do not wait. Open a browser and start right now.
FAQ Section
Can I remotely wipe my phone if I never set up Find My iPhone or Find My Device?
No. You need to have enabled these features before losing your phone. Without them, you cannot send a remote wipe command. Change all your passwords immediately and contact your bank.
Is it possible that if I do a remote wipe on my device, all of my photos and messages that are stored in iCloud or Google Photos will be deleted too?
No. It is unlikely that any of the data stored in iCloud or Google Photos would be deleted during a remote wipe operation, since remote wiped data only affects the local files on the device and not the files stored on the Cloud. Therefore, you should always back up your important files to the Cloud.
If my mobile device is not connected to a network when I send the erase command, what happens?
Your command will be saved on Apple's and Google's servers. Your device will wipe itself as soon as it connects to the internet after you have sent the wipe command.
Can a thief prevent a remote wipe command from being executed?
No. Once you send the command, the thief cannot cancel or disable the command. If they turn off the mobile device before the device connects to a network, it will wipe itself the first time it connects to the internet after you have sent the wipe command.
Does remotely wiping my phone remove my Google or Apple account from the device?
On iPhones, the phone will still be linked to your Apple ID after wiping (Activation Lock). On Android, you can choose to sign out of your Google account as part of the "Secure Device" option. For a full erase, you may need to change your Google password to prevent access.
What if the thief takes out the SIM card immediately?
Your phone continues to connect to Wi-Fi. When the thief connects your phone to any Wi-Fi, the wipe command will execute. Additionally, Find My iPhone can also track your phone with Bluetooth signals and other find my network phones without a SIM card.
How can I tell if the remote wipe was successful?
There is no confirmation sent to you on your lost phone. After you send the remote wipe command, check the Find My website. It will show as “Pending” until the phone is wiped, then it will either be removed from your device list or displayed as offline.
