What To Do If Your iPhone or Laptop Is Stolen (And How to Be Ready Next Time)
- Benella
- May 23
- 3 min read
How to Recover a Stolen iPhone or Laptop and Protect Your Tech Before It’s Too Late
You’re out, you check your bag - and your phone’s gone. Or worse, your laptop or even the unthinkable - your bag holding both has disappeared whilst your attention was diverted.
Whether it’s been stolen, left behind, or vanished into thin air, that sinking feeling is universal: "oh sh***" and "what now"?
We all love our phones and the efficiency they brings to our lives - plus most of everything we hold dear is on them!
I help many people get organised during all stages of life. Especially busy women juggling work, family, parents and general life. This may feel like another thing to do but if the worst was to happen, like having good insurance in place, you will be thankful you took the time to protect your tech as much as possible so you won’t feel quite so panicked.
*This post may contain affiliate links which don't cost you a penny but pay a small commission to this site and help keep my coffee fund topped up. Thank you!
What To Do Immediately If Your Phone or Laptop Is Stolen
Use ‘Find My iPhone’ or ‘Find My Device’
Access your device through the Find My app on another device or by visiting iCloud.com/find on a computer.
Android users: Find my Device.
Put it in Lost Mode
Select your stolen iPhone and choose "Mark as Lost". This will lock the device and display a message on the screen, allowing anyone who finds it to potentially contact you and tracks it.
Erase your device if needed
If you're not getting it back and sensitive data is at risk, remotely wipe it. Once wiped, it can’t be tracked - so use this step carefully if you know you are definitely not getting it back.
Change your passwords
Start with email, banking, Apple ID, Amazon, PayPal and any saved logins.
Report to your network and police
Block your SIM with your network provider. Report to the Police for insurance purposes. If it’s insured, start a claim.
Check Activity Logs & Linked Devices
Log in to your Apple, Google or Microsoft account and sign out of any suspicious sessions or unknown devices.
What NOT To Do When Your Tech Goes Missing
Don’t panic click email links claiming to “help you recover your device” - scams often follow thefts.
Don’t delay changing your passwords.
Don’t skip reporting to the police if it’s stolen - you’ll need a crime reference number for insurance.
How To Prepare Now (So You’re Not Caught Off Guard)
Organising is about peace of mind. And there’s nothing more unsettling than realising you’ve lost access to everything.
Here’s how I stay prepared and how you can too:
Store Important Info Securely
Use my Just In Case Legacy Planner to record:
Valuable item details
Login details for iCloud, Google and banking
Emergency contacts
🗝️ Use a Password Manager
Stop using the same password everywhere. Use one of the following so you only have to remember one very safe password:
1Password
LastPass
💾 Back Up Your Devices
Whether it’s iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox - make sure your photos, files and notes are backed up weekly.
💡Tip: Set a calendar reminder to check your backup status once a month.
🛡️ Use Device Trackers
Tile by Life360 - works with Android
Tuck one inside your laptop case or handbag
🔒 Invest in Anti-Theft Gear
If you’ve just had your phone or laptop stolen, I hope this helped you take control. And if you haven’t - follow these tips so it never feels quite as scary if it does.
I talk a lot about practical organising and this is digital organising at its most real. If you're decluttering your paperwork, backing up your tech should be next on the list!
If you found this helpful, I’d love to know - do you do all this already or was this your sign to start being more prepared?
Thanks for reading, I'm Jo, a Professional Organiser for 20 years and your new partner in creating an organised home.
Based in Petersfield, Hampshire but covering Surrey, West Sussex and London (upon individual request basis).
I help busy professionals, families and home movers, organise and declutter their homes, paperwork and photographs.
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