You reach into your pocket, and your cell phone is gone. You look for it again in your bag, check the table, ask someone to call you. And suddenly you think of everything that’s on it: photos, emails, banking apps, messages.
At that moment, you need clear steps to follow. This guide distinguishes between locating your device and protecting your accounts, and explains what applies to Android, iPhone, and the process in Greece.
Last updated: October 20, 2026. Option names may vary by version, manufacturer, and language.
First, consider: Did you just forget it, or are there signs that it was stolen?
If your phone is likely at home or in a familiar place, try playing a sound through the Find My service. If you suspect theft, your priority should be to lock the device and protect access to it.
The map is a tool, not proof that the device is in a specific apartment or in the hands of a specific person. Save the available information for the authorities. Apple explicitly recommends that you do not attempt to recover a stolen device from an unknown location on your own.
Android: What to Do from Another Phone or Computer
- Type android.com/find. Alternatively, open the Find Hub on another Android device and use the guest login.
- Sign in with the Google account associated with the lost phone and select the correct device.
- Select “Mark device as lost” and follow the instructions to lock it. If you’ve lost it and want to make it easier to get it back, you can add a message.
The service can display the current or last known location. Remote protection and data erasure require certain conditions to be met: among other things, the device must be powered on, connected to the internet, linked to a Google Account, and have Find My Device enabled.
Can’t remember your Google password right now?
On supported and already configured Android devices, there’s “android.com/lock.” It allows you to request a lock using your phone number and the verification codes that appear.
It doesn’t work just because you know a number. Remote Lock must be enabled, the screen must be locked, the SIM must be active, the number must be verified, Find My Device must be active, and the device must have internet access. If the device is offline, the request will be processed once it connects. You shouldn’t rely on this feature without checking it beforehand.
iPhone: The Important Detail About the Verification Code
- Go directly to icloud.com/find from another device.
- Sign in to your Apple ID and select your iPhone.
- Tap “Mark as Lost” and follow the instructions.
For this specific access to Find My, you do not need the verification code that would normally be sent to your trusted device. If prompted, select “Find My.” You’ll still need your account login credentials.
Lost Mode locks the device and suspends Apple Pay cards and passes. If Find My wasn’t enabled before the device was lost, you can’t use it retroactively to mark it as lost or remotely erase it.
Also, note the difference between “Lost” and “Stolen”: for a stolen iPhone, Apple advises against including contact information in the lock screen message, as it could be exploited in a scam attempt.
SIM blocking and IMEI blocking are different
Contact your provider immediately regarding a lost SIM or eSIM and request that the connection be blocked and get information on how to replace it. Do not assume that locking the screen replaces this process.
For a stolen device, the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) outlines a separate procedure: file a theft report with the police, followed by a written request to your provider, including the relevant proof of theft and the IMEI number. The provider that blocks the number notifies the other national networks as well.
The IMEI is the device’s unique identifier. Make a note of it now, even if you don’t have your phone with you; you can find it in the settings or on the packaging. Blocking the connection does not remotely delete photos, nor does requesting the IMEI replace account security measures.
Don’t forget about online banking and email
Contact your bank using its official number and explain that you’ve lost a device with a banking app or digital wallet. Ask for instructions regarding the connected device and access. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it immediately.
Procedures vary. For example, Alpha Bank requires removing the device from myAlpha Web or temporarily deactivating e-banking through customer service. This does not mean that all users must follow the same menu options at every bank.
From a secure device, also check your Google or Apple account: recent activity, unknown devices, and recovery information. Google recommends changing your account password if you’ve lost a device and reviewing your saved passwords. If your email access has been compromised, treat this as a priority: recovery emails from other services may end up there.
On a borrowed computer, use incognito mode, don’t save login credentials, and log out when you’re done.
“Your Phone Has Been Found”: The Trap After a Loss
A message that arrives at that moment may seem like a relief—especially if it mentions your device or appears to come from support. Simply knowing the circumstances isn’t enough to verify who’s messaging you.
Apple warns that it does not contact users to announce that a lost iPhone has been found. Do not give your PIN, password, verification code, or recovery code to anyone who asks for them. Open the official service by typing the address yourself.
Before you tap “Erase,” read this
Remote erasure is a different action than locking the device. On Android, a factory reset permanently deletes data, may not clear the SD card, and stops the device from being trackable via Find My Device.
On an iPhone, erasure is also irreversible; on iOS 15 and later, the device can still be located via Find My. Do not remove the stolen iPhone from Find My, even after erasing it: doing so removes the Activation Lock, which makes it harder to resell.
If you’ve reached this point, review the available screenshots and instructions provided by the service. The erase button is not a more powerful version of “Find My.”
The most useful test is done while the phone is still right next to you
Today, from your own computer, open the appropriate service and make sure you recognize your device. Don’t select “Delete” just to test it. Make sure you know your login email and have an alternative verification method.
For Google with two-step verification, backup codes can be used when you don’t have your phone. Create them in Account Security and keep them in a safe place away from your device. Each code can be used only once.
On supported Android devices, check the “Anti-Theft” options. On an iPhone, look for “Stolen Device Protection” in the Face ID or Touch ID and Passcode settings: It adds biometric authentication and, for certain changes, a security delay. Also make sure your backups of important data are up to date.
The most useful plan is one you can carry out without having your phone in hand. Save this guide on another device as well. A little preparation today can save you from having to make difficult decisions in the heat of the moment.
Featured photo: Kevin Woblick / Unsplash. Illustrative image; not a record of an actual theft incident.