Lost Mobile Phone

mimi1234

So I have lost my phone and this is the first time it's ever happened so I am in a bit of a blind panic.  I tried ringing the number once I had realised it was missing - from the landline but the phone is switched off.  The phone was about 80% charged and I got a taxi home from work at 5pm.  My phone is always on, it never gets switched off.  I must have dropped whilst I was getting out or just left it in the taxi by mistake!    

I've phoned the taxi firm but the phone was not found nor has it been handed in - I know it's only been an hour or two since I lost it.  I've phoned EE and had the sim blocked and the handset blacklisted.  Does this mean the phone can no longer be used?  I've got all the baby photos of my nephews and niece on there along with a lots of other family photos.  My playstore account had my credit card details stored on it.  Am I right in thinking it won't be accessible now?  

The lady from EE told me to get in touch with my bank to see if I had phone insurance.  I don't think I have this, so I guess I will just have to buy a new handset unless I go without.  

Is there anything else I need to do?  

Thanks,

Chino

You should sign in to your Google account and, under the "Security" tab, click on "Manage devices". From there you can select your lost phone and sign out that device. Beforehand, you could try the "Find my device" options to see if that provides a clue as to the location of your phone.

J_B

Chino said:

Beforehand, you could try the "Find my device" options to see if that provides a clue as to the location of your phone.

https://www.google.com/android/find?u=0

mimi1234

Thanks both.  I've tried the find device option but it sends out a signal to my mobile but can't reach it.  Would this be because the sim card has been blocked? 

I will call the taxi firm again tomorrow in case it has been handed in.  If the sim is locked, it won't be of much to use to whoever has found it will, or will it?  Mind you, they might just chuck it if it's of no use to them.

Do folks still hand lost phones into police stations or is that from times gone by?  

sdduk

You could have a look on facebook if you can.
i have seen a few phones that people are asking if someone had lost it.
Don't know about police stations there's not that many open most have been closed down, the nearest to me is about 7 miles away and i don't drive, use to be just up the road till they shut it.

DCFC79

mimi1234 said:

Thanks both.  I've tried the find device option but it sends out a signal to my mobile but can't reach it.  Would this be because the sim card has been blocked? 

I will call the taxi firm again tomorrow in case it has been handed in.  If the sim is locked, it won't be of much to use to whoever has found it will, or will it?  Mind you, they might just chuck it if it's of no use to them.

Do folks still hand lost phones into police stations or is that from times gone by?  

Depends on the person finding the phone. 
I hope the phone was pin or fingerprint locked.

The photos could be backed up to Google Drive.

DanielGamer

Two months ago my friend also lost his phone but few hours later he got his phone back. 

macman

SIM block doesn't stop someone removing the SIM and using the handset. 
All your data should be backed up in Google Drive by default.
'Find device' option needs to be used before the SIM is blocked.

mimi1234

Thanks all for your suggestions.

SDDUK - I don't have Facebook and I don't know how you would find one of these groups.  I've asked my brother to look at it for me though.

I emailed the Police Station and they said they no longer store lost property due to their limited budgets so I am glad I didn't go traipsing around to the 2 in neighbouring towns.

MACMAN - that makes sense. I didn't want to risk leaving the sim open to use and finding my device in case whoever had the phone ran up a huge bill.

I've since bought a new phone and a new sim has arrived.  It's a shame all the baby photos and my holiday photos are gone.  I never saved anything onto google drive but I have started doing it from now. 

Thank you all for your help, and advice and suggestions.  Stay safe. 

Chino

mimi1234 said:

It's a shame all the baby photos and my holiday photos are gone.  I never saved anything onto google drive but I have started doing it from now. 

Have you checked the Google Photos app on your phone to confirm they're definitely not there? (assuming you're signed in using the same account as before)

mimi1234

Oh, I didn't do that.  Let me google it so I know what I am doing.

Just checked, nothing on there.  Thanks all the same.