monpetitlistou
All templates

Phone lost or stolen checklist

The first hour decides most of the damage. Lock the phone before doing anything else, then work through everything it was trusted to unlock.

22 items

Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.

The items

  1. Remote lock triggered immediatelyFind My iPhone or Find My Device, from another device or a browser — before calling it, messaging it or anything else.
  2. Location checked once, to hand to the policeNot to go and find it yourself. A phone is replaceable. A confrontation with whoever has it isn't worth the risk.
  3. Network provider called to block the SIM
  4. SIM suspended so it can't be used to receive calls or texts meant for you
  5. IMEI reported so the handset itself can't be used on any network
  6. Bank cards stored in the wallet app suspended or reportedA locked screen isn't a guarantee on its own — the bank's own app or a call does the rest.
  7. Banking apps logged out remotely, where the bank offers it
  8. Accounts using this phone for two-factor authentication secured first
  9. Email switched to a backup method or signed in from another device
  10. Any account with only this phone enrolled reset using its saved backup codes
  11. Password manager's master password changedOnly if there's any real chance the phone was unlocked when it went missing — otherwise this can wait.
  12. Messaging apps logged out remotelyWhatsApp Web and similar sessions, so messages stop being readable from wherever the phone ends up.
  13. Social media accounts logged out of remotely
  14. Photo backup checked to confirm nothing recent is missing from the cloud copy
  15. This phone removed from the trusted device list on other accountsOnce you're confident it isn't coming back — a trusted device that's gone missing is a way in for whoever has it.
  16. Police report filed with a crime reference numberNeeded for an insurance claim, and for closing the loop with the network provider afterwards.
  17. Insurance claim started, if the phone is coveredThe crime reference number, proof of ownership and the IMEI are usually all asked for together.
  18. Contacts and family told it's compromisedIn case a message asking for money or details goes out from it while it's still active.
  19. IMEI blacklisted with the manufacturerOnce you're confident it isn't coming back — this is what makes the handset itself worthless to resell.
  20. Passwords changed for anything not covered by a password manager or two-factor
  21. Replacement or temporary phone arranged
  22. Final remote wipe confirmed once everything above is doneOnly once there's no realistic chance of safe recovery — a wipe is the one step here that can't be undone.

Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.

Questions people ask

What's the very first thing to do?
Trigger the remote lock through Find My iPhone or Find My Device, from another device or a browser, before calling it, messaging it, or anything else.
Should I try to track down the phone myself?
No — use the location feature to inform the police, not to go and confront whoever has it. A phone is replaceable, a confrontation isn't worth the risk.
Do I need to worry about accounts that use the phone for two-factor?
Yes, before almost anything else — sign into each one from another device and switch it to a backup method, since the phone itself can no longer be trusted.