No matter how conscientious you might be, losing a phone can happen to anybody.

Your phone can go missing or even stop working! This can be due to:

Theft
Loss
Breakage or break down
…or maybe you just left it behind somewhere

How do you know that your data is safe, that no-one else can access your data and how to recover your phone?

Fear not – if you just spend a few minutes getting your ducks in a row you need worry no more.

Lock your phone
Store your data in the cloud
Setup “Find my Device”

Make sure your phone is locked

Most important is to lock your phone. Once you have set up your phone locking security your phone will automatically lock after a predefined time and/ or action.

You can then unlock your phone in one of many ways (some or all will be supported on your phone).

Pin Code
Pattern
Face-unlock
Fingerprint sensor
Password

Make sure you are storing your data in the cloud

Your data comprises:

Contacts
Calendar
Photos
Documents such as boarding tickets, train and bus travel, Notes, Reminders etc.
WhatsApp conversations
Text messages and call history

Every device should be linked to either your Google or iCloud account and also to your phone manufacturer cloud account if available. This will assist in Find my Device as detailed below.

Find my Device

You should never need to turn your device off. By this I mean “power down”. If your device is powered down you will not be able to find it or perform any of the operations below.

Furthermore, the following switches need to be set to “on”:

Mobile Data
Location
Sync

The above switches can be left to “on” at all times. I would also leave the Wi-Fi setting to “on” as well.

Recovery

Firstly you can try calling your own number from another phone or mobile. If answered, a reasonable person will help you to retrieve your phone.

Finding your device is done using another device such as a computer.

Using a web browser, log into your account and use the “Find a lost device” feature.

Your logged in devices will appear here in a list where you can:

Google Account

Ring
Locate
Lock (and leave a message to the finder)
Erase device
Sign out

Samsung Account

Lock (and leave a message to the finder) or Lock and Power off
Erase Data
Backup
Retrieve calls/Messages
Unlock
Extend Battery Life
Set Guardian

You could contact your mobile operator to disable your SIM card and redirect your calls to another number.

Once you have gone through the above steps you will have peace of mind that your data is secure. You are now ready to purchase or use another device at any time. Your contacts, calendar, apps and data will be just appear just as before!