Your iPhone is probably one of the most valuable things you carry, both for what it costs and for what is on it. Photos, messages, banking apps, emails and saved passwords all live on your phone, so losing it to theft is about far more than the price of the handset. The good news is that a few simple settings make your device very hard to use if it is stolen, and make your data almost impossible to reach. Here is how to protect your iPhone, what to do if the worst happens, and how to keep your family’s devices safe too.
Turn on Find My iPhone
This is the single most important setting, and it needs to be on before anything goes wrong, because you cannot enable it remotely afterwards. Find My uses your phone’s location so you can see where it is from another device, such as an iPad or Mac, or from iCloud.com/find in any browser. It works even when the missing device is offline, using Apple’s Find My network of nearby Apple devices to report its location.
To switch it on, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then Find My, and make sure Find My iPhone is turned on along with the Find My network and Send Last Location. You can also share your location with trusted friends and family, which is handy for coordinating and for knowing a family member has got home safely. The same Find My network works with AirTags and supported headphones and bikes, so you can keep track of more than just your phone.
Use a strong passcode and Face ID
A weak passcode undoes everything else. The most common iPhone codes are 1234, 1111 and 0000, and they let anyone into your device in seconds. Set a longer passcode that mixes numbers, and ideally use a custom alphanumeric code. Even if you use Face ID or Touch ID, you still need a strong passcode behind it, because that is what protects your data if the biometrics are bypassed.
Setting a passcode also encrypts your iPhone automatically. With a passcode enabled, the data on the device cannot be read without the correct authentication, so a thief cannot simply plug it in and pull your files off.
Turn on two-factor authentication and Stolen Device Protection
Two-factor authentication protects your Apple Account and your most important logins. With it on, signing in needs both your password and a code sent to a device you trust, so a stolen password on its own is not enough. It is worth enabling on your email, banking and social accounts as well.
If you are on a recent version of iOS, also turn on Stolen Device Protection, found under Settings, Face ID & Passcode. When your iPhone is somewhere unfamiliar, it requires Face ID or Touch ID for sensitive actions like changing your Apple Account password, and adds a security delay, which stops a thief who has watched you type your passcode from taking over your accounts.
Back up your device regularly
Most people who lose a phone are more upset about the photos than the handset itself. Regular backups mean a lost or stolen device is an inconvenience rather than a disaster. iCloud is the simplest option because it is built into iOS and backs up automatically over Wi-Fi, but Google Drive, Dropbox and an external drive all work too. Whatever you choose, make sure it is running so your photos, messages and documents are safe on another device.
Keep your software up to date
Software updates are not just about new features. They contain security patches that close the gaps hackers rely on, so an out-of-date phone is an easier target. Keep both iOS and your apps current, and turn on automatic updates so you do not have to think about it. If you are buying an older model, it is worth checking how long each iPhone keeps getting iOS updates so you know it will stay supported.
Be careful on public Wi-Fi
Free public Wi-Fi is convenient but often unencrypted, which makes it easier for others on the same network to see your traffic. Avoid logging into banking or other sensitive accounts while connected to it. If you need to, use a VPN, which creates a secure, encrypted connection and keeps your data private even on an untrusted network.
Review your app permissions
Apps often ask for more access than they need, whether that is your location, contacts, camera or microphone. Every so often, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, and review what each app can reach, then switch off anything that looks unnecessary or that you do not remember granting. It is a quick habit that keeps your personal data from leaking out through apps you rarely use.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Not every defence is digital. A lot of phone theft is opportunistic, so it pays to keep some attention on your environment in busy places and on public transport. Avoid leaving your phone on a cafe table or in a back pocket, and put it away if something feels off. A moment of awareness prevents most snatch thefts.
What to do if your iPhone is stolen
Act quickly, because the sooner you lock the device down, the safer your data is. Work through these steps:
- Sign in at iCloud.com/find or use Find My on another device, and mark your iPhone as Lost. This locks it with a passcode, shows a message on the screen, and suspends Apple Pay so it cannot be used to spend.
- If you do not expect to get it back, you can remotely erase the device so none of your data can be reached. You can still keep it marked as lost afterwards.
- Contact your network provider to block the SIM, so your number cannot be used for calls, texts or data.
- Freeze or cancel any cards saved in Apple Pay and your banking apps as a precaution.
- Report the theft to the police and give them your device’s IMEI number, the unique serial number for your handset. Apple also has an official step-by-step guide on what to do if your iPhone is lost or stolen.
Keep a note of your IMEI number somewhere safe now, before you ever need it, since it is much harder to find once the phone is gone. If you buy a device from us, we are always happy to send an invoice with the IMEI attached, so you have it on record.
Keeping your children’s phones safe
If you are handing a phone to a child, safety online matters as much as protecting the hardware. iOS has strong parental controls built in through Screen Time and Family Sharing, which let you set screen time limits, approve app downloads, filter content and see activity reports, all without any extra apps. For more detailed monitoring, dedicated apps like Qustodio, Net Nanny and Boomerang add features such as location tracking, website filtering and call and message oversight, usually for a small subscription.
How much oversight you want will depend on your child’s age and maturity, and there is no single right answer. If you are setting up a first phone or tablet for a child, our guide to why iPhones are great for kids is a good starting point, and our refurbished iPads suitable for kids are an affordable, sturdy option.
Consider insurance
Finally, it is worth insuring your device. Cover can start from around a few pounds a month, and while it might feel unnecessary most of the time, it works out far cheaper than replacing a phone at full price if it is ever lost, stolen or damaged. Weigh the monthly cost against what a like-for-like replacement would cost you.
Protect your phone, and save on the next one
A stolen phone is far less painful when your data is backed up, your device is locked down, and you did not pay flagship prices for it in the first place. Every phone we sell is fully tested, unlocked, checked against lost and stolen databases, and comes with a 12-month warranty and free UK delivery. You can read more about how we check every device on our why choose The iOutlet page, or browse our refurbished iPhones, refurbished iPads and refurbished Macs to find your next device.
