SAFETY
Prevent phone theft
Small changes can make your phone harder to steal and reduce what a thief can access if they get it.
Look up, look out. The Met advises keeping your phone out of sight when you are not using it, staying aware of people around you and avoiding distracted phone use in public.
01 · In public
Make the phone harder to grab
- Put your phone away when you have finished using it.
- Avoid walking while texting or looking down at the screen.
- Near roads, look for bikes and mopeds and stand away from the kerb where practical.
- Do not leave your phone on tables or unattended in public places.
- Do not hand your unlocked phone to someone you do not know.
02 · On the device
Reduce what a thief can access
- Use a strong passcode or password and biometric authentication.
- Set auto-lock to activate quickly.
- Keep your operating system and apps updated.
- Turn off lock-screen previews for sensitive messages.
- Protect banking, payment and other high-value apps with additional authentication where available.
03 · Before anything happens
Prepare for loss
- Turn on your phone's built-in theft and location protections.
- Know how to remotely lock your device.
- Record your IMEI somewhere other than the phone. Dial *#06# to display it.
- Keep important contact details and recovery information accessible elsewhere.
- Back up your important data regularly.
04 · If you travel
Use the same precautions
- Keep your phone close and out of sight when not needed.
- Carry a backup way to access important contacts and accounts.
- Keep a record of your device details separately from the phone.
- Be especially careful when using your phone in crowded or unfamiliar places.
Device setup
Set up the security features now
The exact options vary by device and software version.