Wednesday Tech Tips: How to Lose Your Phone

Losing your phone does not have to be the end of the world if you are prepared for it.  Take a little time to run through these steps and give yourself peace of mind about walking away for half an hour while you leave your phone charging in a public space.

Wait, what?  Okay guys, this just in -- don't leave your phone unattended in a public space.  I got mixed up there for a second...


Constant vigilance!  That's what we're going for.

1) Do you have a password for your phone?  Most smartphones offer a numerical or pattern option; others have a crazypants voice or face recognition option.  Consider whether you will leave a trace on the screen if you use the pattern option, especially if you have been eating Cheetos.

2) Do you back up your data?  Even if you don't keep sensitive info on your phone, chances are there are photos and other information on your phone that you don't want lost forever.

3) Do you have a way to remotely track, lock, and/or erase your phone? 

4) Is there a way for someone to return a lost phone to you?  You can display a message with contact information either as wallpaper (take a photo of your message) or through the lock screen settings on your phone.  Make sure the contact information provides a safe way for someone to reach you -- not your home address.


You can find out how to do all this and more (more!) with these helpful articles from CNET and How to Geek.




There. I feel better, don't you feel better?