What to do if you lose your phone?
Losing your phone is the worst. The good news is that you might be able to get it back, if it’s still switched on. Use Apple’s Find My iPhone or Android Device Manager to locate your phone, lock it remotely and add a message on the lock screen so the person who finds it knows where to return it (if they have a good heart).
Lost phone
If you can’t locate it (or if someone has stolen it), wipe the data remotely and change the password for all sensitive accounts. As mentioned earlier, these steps only work if your phone is turned on. If it’s been stolen, the thief has probably switched it off straight away. You’ll then need to contact your mobile network provider to block service to the device and change the password for all sensitive accounts.
Go to the police
Report the theft to the police; even though it’s unlikely they’ll find it, they’ll give you a crime reference number so you can ask your insurer to reimburse you for your device. Claims usually take a few weeks to process, so feel free to check a shop if you need a replacement phone in the meantime!
My battery has stopped working!
The phone battery, unfortunately, naturally wears out over time. However, there are a few ways to extend its life in the short term. First, turn off as many services as possible when you’re not using them, including Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and location services. Also lower your screen brightness and, if you’re really running low on power, switch on battery saver mode.
In the longer term, you’ll need to either replace the battery or replace your phone. Your choice will depend on
- how attached you are to your phone
- the cost of replacing the battery. If you’re using an older device, you may find it’s more cost‑effective to replace it!
I’ve cracked my screen, what should I do?
Don’t walk around with a cracked screen. It looks awful and you risk getting glass in your fingers and debris inside your phone!
Instead, put a plastic screen protector over it until you have time to get it repaired. Also try to cut down your use. If you have an iPhone and AppleCare+ cover, your first port of call should be the Apple Store. They’ll repair your device, but you’ll have to pay at least 75 euros for the privilege. Other phone manufacturers offer similar warranty deals.
Things get more expensive if you’re out of warranty:
Insurance will usually cover your screen but you’ll have to pay an excess, while your phone’s manufacturer will probably charge a fortune to repair it.
The best out‑of‑warranty option is to take it to a repair shop, but make sure you use a reliable, vetted repairer; otherwise, you risk a poor‑quality repair or, worse, someone accessing your data and storing it remotely.
Another alternative
Your last option – and the one we recommend the least – is to repair it yourself. There are plenty of tutorials online. As well as providing easy‑to‑follow instructions, you can also find all the parts you need. Remember that if you try to repair your device yourself, your warranty will be void and you’ll have to pay high repair costs if you get it wrong. Only try this if you’re really confident!
