Why It’s Important: Backing up your device ensures that your photos, contacts, apps, and other important data are safely stored. If your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can easily restore your information to a new device.
Step 1: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Step 2: Toggle on Backup This iPhone.
Step 3: Your phone will automatically back up daily when connected to Wi-Fi and power.
Step 4: To perform a manual backup, tap Back Up Now.
Storage Options: You get 5GB of free storage with iCloud.
Secure Your iPhone
Why It’s Important: If your phone is lost or stolen, you want to ensure no one can access your data.
Auto-Lock:
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
Choose the shortest time (e.g., 30 seconds) to automatically lock your phone.
Passcode and Face/Touch ID:
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.
Ensure a passcode is set up, and enable Face ID or Touch ID.
Record Your iPhone’s IMEI and Serial Numbers:
Go to Settings > General > About.
Find the IMEI and Serial Number.
Take a screenshot or write them down and store them securely.
iPhone Track and How to Recover
Make Your iPhone Trackable Online
Why It’s Important: If your phone is ever lost or stolen, you can use built-in tools to locate it using another device or computer. Ensure these features are turned on before you need them.
Step 1: Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My.
Step 2: Tap Find My iPhone and toggle it on.
Step 3: Enable Find My network to locate your phone even when it’s offline.
Step 4: Turn on Send Last Location to send the device's location to Apple when the battery is critically low.
Optional: If you want friends or family to know where you are, enable Share My Location.
Make Your iPhone Trackable Offline
Why It’s Important: Your phone can still be tracked even if it’s not connected to the internet or is turned off, the crowdsourced network will allow for your phone to be located even if switched off, if found by another phone with the same network activated, so please share this to all you can.
Step 1: Ensure Find My network is enabled in Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone.
Step 2: This will allow you to locate your iPhone using other Apple devices in the vicinity, even when it’s offline.
What to Do If Your iPhone Is Lost
Why It’s Important: Act quickly to increase the chances of recovering your phone.
Step 1: Go to Find My iPhone on iCloud.com or use the Find My app on another device.
Step 2: Select your device to see its location on the map.
Step 3: If your iPhone is nearby, you can make it play a sound to help you find it.
Step 4: If your phone is not nearby, you can enable Lost Mode to lock your device and display a custom message on the screen with your contact information.
Step 5: If you believe your phone is stolen, report it to the police with the IMEI number.
Backup and Secure Your Android Phone
Backup Your Android Phone
Why It’s Important: Backing up your data ensures that you can restore your information if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Google > Backup.
Step 2: Toggle on Back up to Google Drive.
Step 3: Your phone will back up data such as app data, call history, contacts, and settings.
Step 4: You can also manually back up data by tapping Back up now.
Secure Your Android Phone
Why It’s Important: Securing your phone helps protect your personal information from unauthorized access.
Screen Lock:
Go to Settings > Security > Screen lock.
Choose a method (e.g., Pattern, PIN, Password).
Ensure the lock is set up properly to enhance security.
Fingerprint or Face Recognition:
Go to Settings > Security > Fingerprint or Face recognition.
Follow the prompts to add your fingerprint or face data.
Record Your Phone’s IMEI:
Go to Settings > About phone > Status > IMEI information.
Write down or screenshot the IMEI number for future reference.
Track and Recover Your Android Phone
Make Your Android Phone Trackable Online
Why It’s Important: Being able to track your phone online can help you recover it if it’s lost or stolen.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Google > Security.
Step 2: Enable Find My Device.
Step 3: Visit Find My Device website on a computer or another device to locate your phone.
Make Your Android Trackable Offline
Why It’s Important: Your phone can still be tracked even if it’s not connected to the internet or is turned off. The new crowdsourced network allows for your phone to be located even if switched off, provided it is found by another phone with the same network activated. Share this to ensure maximum coverage.
Step 1: Ensure Find My Device is set up (as described above).
Step 2: Click on your account image on the top right.
Step 3: Click Find My Device Settings.
Step 4: Under “Use Find My Device” toggle, click on “Find your offline devices”.
Step 5: Select “With network in all areas”.
Optional for Samsung accounts:
Step 1: Go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Lost Device Protection.
Step 2: Toggle all options.
What to Do If Your Android Phone Is Lost
Why It’s Important: Quick actions can help increase the chances of recovering your phone.
Step 1: Go to the Find My Device website or use the Find My Device app on another device.
Step 2: Sign in with the Google account associated with your lost phone.
Step 3: Select your device to see its location on the map.
Step 4: You can make your phone ring, lock it with a message, or erase its data.
Step 5: If your phone is stolen, report it to the police with the IMEI number.