Losing a mobile phone in today’s digital age is more than
just losing a device—it can expose personal information, banking data, and
social accounts to theft. If you’ve ever wondered how to secure a lost mobile
phone, this guide covers everything from the Sanchar Saathi portal, IMEI tracking, and blocking stolen phones, to using tools like Find My Device. Whether it’s an
Android or iPhone, these smartphone anti-theft tips will help you protect your
data, track your phone, and take immediate recovery steps. In this 2025
Himachal travel and tech safety blog, we also highlight how government and tech
platforms are empowering users to fight back.
How to Secure a Lost Mobile Phone Using Sanchar Saathi
and IMEI Tracking
India’s Ministry of Telecommunications has launched the
Sanchar Saathi portal (ceir.gov.in)
to tackle mobile theft and lost phones. This centralized system connects
telecom providers, the police, and cybercrime units to help users block and
trace stolen devices.
Steps to follow:
- File
a police complaint reporting your phone as lost or stolen.
- Visit https://www.ceir.gov.in/
- Select
“Block Stolen Mobile” and enter your IMEI number, Aadhaar-linked address,
and an alternative phone number.
- Submit
the details.
Once submitted, your phone will be blocked on all Indian
networks, making it useless even with a new SIM card. According to the
government, over 3 million devices have been blocked and more than 400,000
returned since the launch.
Read also: Top Online Scams in 2025 and How to Stay
Safe
Track Lost Android Phones with Google’s Find My
Device
Google offers a powerful tool called Find My Device,
accessible via web and app. It allows Android users to:
- Ring
the device
- Lock
it remotely
- Erase
data
- Display
a message on screen
Access here: https://www.google.com/android/find/about
Ensure this is enabled under Settings → Security → Find My
Device.
How to Track Lost iPhones Using Apple’s Find My
iPhone
Apple users can rely on Find My iPhone by following:
- Settings
→ Apple ID → Find My → Find My iPhone
- Enable
“Send Last Location.”
Visit https://www.icloud.com/find to
lock or erase your device remotely.
10 Smartphone Anti-Theft Tips to Protect Your Device
and Data
- Enable
Location Tracking – Use "Find My Device" on Android or
"Find My" on iPhone.
- Back
Up to Cloud— Use Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox to keep your data
safe.
- Set
Auto Lock and Strong Passwords— Prefer biometric authentication and
6-digit PINs.
- Record
IMEI Number – Dial *#06# and save it somewhere secure.
- Use
a SIM Lock—Set a PIN to avoid SIM swapping attacks.
- Avoid
Storing Passwords on Browser—Use a password manager.
- Use
Authentication Apps—Prefer Google Authenticator over SMS-based
OTPs.
- Keep
Phones Physically Secure—Avoid leaving them on tables or exposed.
- Install
Anti-Theft Apps—Apps like Prey, Cerberus, or Avast Mobile Security
offer added protection.
- Add
a Backup Number—Helps in case of account recovery or verification.
What to Do Immediately After Losing Your Phone
- Lock
and Erase your device remotely using Google or iCloud.
- Call
your carrier (Airtel, Jio, Vi, BSNL) to block the SIM card.
- Change
all stored passwords: email, banking, shopping, and social media.
- Call
your bank to block stored cards or dispute charges.
- Inform
friends and family to prevent potential social engineering or
smishing attacks.
- File
a police report using your phone’s serial number and IMEI—essential
for insurance claims.
- Check
insurance coverage, if applicable.
Backups & Restoration: Be Prepared Before You Lose It
- Enable
Google Backup: Settings → Google → Backup
- Enable
iCloud Backup: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup
- Use
platforms like Google Takeout to download your complete data archive.
Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive/iCloud, and log in again
to Telegram or Signal.
Printable Mobile Safety Checklist
Task |
Before Losing |
After Losing |
Enable Location Tracking |
✅ |
|
Save IMEI Number |
✅ |
|
SIM Lock Set |
✅ |
|
Call Service Provider |
✅ |
|
Lock/Wipe Phone Remotely |
✅ |
|
File Police Report |
✅ |
|
Change All Passwords |
✅ |
Sources Cited:
Sanchar Saathi Portal – Department of Telecommunications
Google
Find My Device
Apple
Find My iPhone
Google
Takeout – Data Backup
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