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Turn on theft protection and know how to erase a lost phone
Why it matters: Away from familiar places, theft protection asks for your face or fingerprint before sensitive changes, so a thief who knows your passcode still can't change your passwords; on iPhone, some changes also wait an hour. Remote erase protects what's left.
Do it
- On iPhone, open Settings, then Face ID & Passcode, and turn on Stolen Device Protection.
- On Android, open Settings, tap Google or Google services, then All services, then Theft protection, and turn on Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock and Identity Check where offered.
- Check Find My or Find My Device is on and that you can sign in to it from a computer.
- Write down how to reach your account if your only phone is gone; your recovery codes cover this.
Check it worked: Stolen Device Protection (iPhone) or Theft protection (Android) is on, Find My or Find My Device works on every phone, and you know how to lock and erase one from another device.
Simply put
Theft protection is like a safe that also needs your fingerprint, not just the combination. Away from familiar places, even someone who watched you type your passcode must use your face or finger, and on iPhone wait an hour, before changing your passwords.
In detail
Erasing a phone doesn't remove it from your account, and you shouldn't remove it yourself: Apple says taking a device out of Find My turns off Activation Lock, the protection that keeps a stolen phone worthless to resell.
If this is new to you: Want to know it's working? Check the theft setting shows On, then sign in to Find My or Find My Device on a computer. Phone listed? You're set.
Points toward the Long View: a lost phone that's an inconvenience, not a way into your accounts.