New guide: Phone theft protection tips – essential steps to take now

jbrassy

One tip which is missing from this guide is the new feature which has been introduced to iPhones with iOS 18. There is now a setting where you can restrict access to any app unless Face ID is used. This is useful if you want to stop thieves accessing sensitive apps. I've personally set it up on my email apps, messages app, and authenticator apps as these are used for 2FA as well as shopping apps such as Amazon to stop any potential thief going on a shopping spree.

This website explains how to set it up: https://www.theverge.com/24267102/iphone-ios-18-lock-app-how-to

matelodave

I would have said that the best way to avoid theft is to not wander down the street wearing earbuds/headphones, holding the phone in front of you shouting at it or texting. I

Its the ultimate way to offer it to thieves and make it easy to snatch. You might also avoid being knocked down by a cyclist, electric scooterist or even a motorist.

Dont forget, whilst you are oblivious, all the protection in the world isn't going to stop them because you've already unlocked it for them

Likewise sitting on the tube or in a train texting away, it only needs someone to walk down the carriage, grab it and run just as the doors are closing.

In the end its down to you using a bit of common sense rather than blaming everyone else when you are virtually offering it on a plate

oldagetraveller1

Spot on Dave.

Granadalad

Try local Facebook community groups if phone is lost, or "conspicuous" shops when retracing your steps. My wife got her phone back from a leisure centre she had not visited near her parking spot, plus it was on Facebook.

Tried calling the phone which was switched on, but received "call cannot be connected" message as it was in their safe. They didn't realise that selecting "Emergency" on a locked phone gives you access to call emergency contact friends (also 999) and selected user details.

flaneurs_lobster

Granadalad said:

 They didn't realise that selecting "Emergency" on a locked phone gives you access to call emergency contact friends (also 999) and selected user details.

Don't know if it's just a feature of Samsung phones but my lock screen displays my email address. Could be any text you like but this seems the obvious data* to help return of phone if lost.

* Did have the mobile number of the phone as well for a while until my SO pointed out how stupid that was.

Neil_Jones

matelodave said:

I would have said that the best way to avoid theft is to not wander down the street wearing earbuds/headphones, holding the phone in front of you shouting at it or texting. I

Its the ultimate way to offer it to thieves and make it easy to snatch. You might also avoid being knocked down by a cyclist, electric scooterist or even a motorist.

Dont forget, whilst you are oblivious, all the protection in the world isn't going to stop them because you've already unlocked it for them

Likewise sitting on the tube or in a train texting away, it only needs someone to walk down the carriage, grab it and run just as the doors are closing.

In the end its down to you using a bit of common sense rather than blaming everyone else when you are virtually offering it on a plate

Thank you!

Wonder if anybody's tried to sue somebody who knocked them down, and the only reason they got knocked down in the first place was because they stepped out without looking because they were gawping at their phone...

But of course its always somebody else's fault...

matelodave

one would have hoped that a dashcam would protect you in that case.

However in this crazy world you, as a driver, should anticipate that an idiot walking along gazing at a phone is likely to wander across your path at point blank range, so it's really your fault if you fail to avoid them.

Sid27

Thanks for the Screentime PIN tip. This plugs a gap in the iPhone security should someone get hold of your passcode. It is something I hadn't come across before.

cloutscedilla

Something that nobody talks about, is e-SIM. It is easy and FREE to keep a e-SIM on your phone and the thief cannot remove it from the phone. 

flaneurs_lobster

cloutscedilla said:

Something that nobody talks about, is e-SIM. It is easy and FREE to keep a e-SIM on your phone and the thief cannot remove it from the phone. 

Useful, as long as both your phone and your network support eSIM.