How to protect your iPhone before it’s stolen
With phone theft becoming an unfortunately increasing problem, it’s important to take some preventative methods to protect your personal data in case your device falls into the wrong hands.
- Phones are prime targets for opportunist thieves. Not only can they be sold for a pretty penny (either as the device itself or for its parts), they offer a comprehensive gateway to your personal information and bank accounts.
- Luckily, Apple iOS has some handy features that help protect your device – and your data – in the event of a phone theft. By setting up certain features and being prepared for the worst-case scenario, you can keep your sensitive information safe from pickpockets and phone snatchers.
Activate the “Find My” feature
We recommend setting up the Find My feature on your iPhone. It lets you roughly locate the location of your lost or stolen device using the Find Devices app on iCloud.com/find.
To turn on Find My for your iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > Find My, then tap Find My iPhone to toggle it on. To locate your device even when it’s offline, turn on Find My network.
And if you enable Location Services (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services), you’ll be able to find your iPhone on a map. While it’s not recommended for you to track down your stolen phone yourself, it may be helpful to know of its whereabouts, and you can provide these details to the police.
The Find My feature also allows you to remotely mark a device as lost.
Keep airplane mode turned off
Once a thief has swiped your phone, they’ll immediately try to turn on Airplane Mode, as this prevents it from being tracked using Find My.
To stop your phone immediately going off the grid, turn off the ability to access the control centre when the device is locked. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Toggle Control Centre while locked OFF.
If someone manages to turn your phone’s Airplane Mode on (for example, your phone was stolen while you were using it), there’s also a Siri Shortcut that enables your phone to lock itself and turn Airplane Mode back off.
To set up this Siri Shortcut, you’ll need to set up an automation that triggers your device to turn Airplane Mode off when it’s turned on. Open Shortcuts > Automations, then tap the ‘+’ button to add a new automation. Select Airplane Mode as the trigger, then choose Is Turned On and Run Immediately. Do check any more specific instructions that might be pertinent to your iOS version.
Turn on FaceID for important apps
As well as requiring FaceID to unlock your iPhone, it’s worth enabling FaceID for important apps that contain personal information, like banking, email, messages and photo gallery.
You can do this by long-pressing on the app icon, then selecting Enable FaceID.
Use Stolen Device Protection
iPhones have a Stolen Device Protection feature to help protect your information if the person who has stolen your phone knows your passcode. It requires biometric authentication (either TouchID or FaceID) before allowing someone to change your phone passcode or Apple Account password.
That way, thieves can’t immediately change any settings that lock you out of your iPhone or Apple Account. It also buys you more time to use the Find My feature to mark your phone as lost.
Set a SIM PIN
In addition to your phone’s hardware, your SIM card also presents a lucrative prize for thieves. They can take it out, put it in a dummy phone, and get two-factor authentication (2FA) messages sent there instead – meaning they can bypass that extra layer of security and access important accounts, like your email.
A SIM PIN protects your SIM from unauthorised use, as it requires the PIN to be entered whenever your device is restarted or if your SIM is put into another device. If you use a physical SIM card, activate your SIM PIN by going to Settings > Mobile Data > SIM PIN.
Limit lock screen previews
Even if your phone has a passcode or FaceID enabled, thieves can still read the previews of any text messages, emails or notifications popping up on your lock screen. This is a problem if you’re using 2FA – thieves can easily read the authentication codes and gain access to your personal accounts.
To prevent this, you should hide text previews when your phone is locked. Go to Notifications > Messages > Preview OFF to enable this feature.
Set up screen time limits
Setting screen time limits can help prevent thieves from dabbling around important apps for too long, even if they do somehow manage to gain access to your device.
For example, you can set screen time limits that block your banking apps when the limit is up – they can only be accessed by entering a screen time PIN.
You can also use the Siri Shortcuts app to configure screen time limits for certain apps and block usage once the time has elapsed.
Keep a note of your IMEI number
Write down your device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and keep this information in a safe location elsewhere, such as on a computer at home. The IMEI number is a unique 15-digit code that is used to identify your phone.
In the event that your phone is stolen, you should give your IMEI to your mobile network. They will use the IMEI to brick the phone and prevent others from using it on their network and even other networks - even if the person uses a different SIM card.
Moreover, reputable phone recyclers and secondhand sellers will check the IMEI number to see if the phone has been reported as lost or stolen. If the IMEI is blacklisted, they should refuse to buy it – meaning thieves won’t be able to make money by selling your device.
You can find out your IMEI number by dialling *#06# on your phone , or looking in your iPhone’s settings.
Back up your iPhone
As well as losing your device, it’s another blow to lose access to important files and sentimental photos. It's well worth regularly making backup copies of these files, whether that’s uploading to cloud storage or saving them to your computer or physical hard drive.
iPhone users can back up and sync photos to iCloud. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, then turn on Sync this iPhone.
Get gadget insurance
Whether you bought your device outright or you’re on a pay-monthly contract with your mobile network, having your phone stolen will almost always be an unwelcome dent in your finances. For peace of mind, it’s worth getting gadget insurance. In the event of a stolen phone, specialty gadget insurance can help cover the costs of replacement.
If you’ve unfortunately experienced a phone theft, our guide on What to do if your phone is lost or stolen has more information on the steps you can take after an incident has occurred.
Can I keep my old phone number when I switch network?
You certainly can. All you’ll need to transfer your number is a PAC code. You can get it by sending a text message to 65075, logging in to your customer account on your network's website or app, or getting in touch over the phone.
What is a PAC code?
A PAC (port authorisation code) is something you’ll need in order to cancel your existing deal and move your number to a new network. The process is now easier than ever, with all networks offering a text number so you can get your PAC immediately.
Give this to Three and it will arrange for the transfer right away. Be aware that if you're moving from a Three contract to SIM only, you may need a PAC. Call Three on 333 to check.
Can I keep my number when I get a new SIM?
Absolutely you can. You’ll just need to ask your existing network for what’s called a PAC or Porting Authorisation Code when you cancel your contract with them. Then all you’ve got to do is give the PAC to your new network within 30 days. It will then transfer the number.
Will I lose service when I transfer my phone number?
When the switchover is taking place, you shouldn’t be without a service for a significant amount of time. At most you could be without one for a matter of a few minutes.
And until the actual switch is taking place, you can keep your current SIM in your phone and continue to make calls, send messages and go online.
