How to Disable a Stolen Mobile Phone

Last Updated: December 3, 2022 References

Most phones do not have tracking and remote disabling enabled by default, but it's worth a try if the lost phone was a smartphone. In many cases, especially if you lost a non-smart mobile phone, the best you'll be able to do is contact your service provider and suspend network and data usage, without protecting your personal data. There are many remote phone tracking apps available, but these almost always need to be installed and registered with the physical phone in your hands, before it is stolen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Disabling a Stolen iPhone

1
Use this for iOS 8, or if you enabled Find my iPhone. The "Find my iPhone" feature has been available for years, but is only enabled by default in iOS 8.^{[1]
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Research source} If you are using an operating system from before September 2014, this method will only work if you enabled "Find my iPhone" through "Settings" → "iCloud," or specified that you wanted Find my iPhone enabled when you set up your device for the first time.
- Find my iPhone can only be enabled after linking your iPhone to an iCloud account, using the same settings menu.
2
Log in to your iCloud on a computer or another Apple device. Log on to icloud.com, then click "Find my iPhone." If you are using another phone or tablet, you can instead download the Find my iPhone app from your device's app store.
- Neither the app or website are available on Android phones or tablets. "Find my iPhone" apps for Android are not made by Apple, and are typically very slow and buggy.^{[2]
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- You can access the website on any computer operating system, not just Mac.
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3
Select the stolen phone. Click the image of the stolen device. Even if the phone has all the necessary settings enabled, it will only appear if it is turned on and has a working signal. If the phone is not listed, try again periodically to see if the thief has turned it on.
- Unfortunately, clever thieves can set the phone to airplane mode so they can crack your passwords without being accessible to this service. Don't assume that your data is safe just because you don't see the phone listed.
4
Use the map to find your phone's location. If location service settings were enabled on your phone (as well as Find my iPhone), it should appear as a dot on the map. A green dot means the phone is online and the dot shows its current location. A grey dot means the phone is offline and its last known location is displayed.^{[3]
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5
Use the available settings to protect your iPhone. With the stolen device selected, click the small blue "i" icon.^{[4]
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Research source} There are several ways you can protect your phone using the menu items listed. Using them in the order listed below is recommended:
- "Remote Lock" or "Lost Mode" will set a new 4-digit PIN required to access your phone. Remember this PIN so you can access your phone if it is retrieved.
- "Send Message" will display a message on the screen. Typically, this is used as a warning that the phone's location is known, and/or a promise of a reward if the phone is returned anonymously. (You can also "Play Sound" to alert the thief that there is a message.)
- "Remote Wipe" is a last resort option that will remove all data from your phone, returning it to default settings and deleting all non-default apps. This should still allow you to track the phone if it is in "Lost Mode," but some users report issues.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Disabling a Stolen Android Phone

1
Don't change your Google account password yet. Most remote disabling methods require your phone to be linked to your Google account. If you change your Google account password due to security risks, you will have much less control over your device remotely.
- Changing the password after the phone is disabled is a good idea, since the thief could have access to your account.
2
Use Android Device Manager. Visit google.com/android/devicemanager and log in to your Google account to access these settings.^{[6]
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Research source} Any Android device that has been linked to your Google account should be listed, as long as it has been updated since August 2013.
- Any visible device that is turned on and has location tracking enabled should be marked on the map.
- Select "Lock," "Disable," or "Erase all Data" if they are available. These will only work if they were enabled in advance, using Settings → Security → Device Administrators → Android Device Manager.^{[7]
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3
Use your Samsung account. If your Samsung smartphone was stolen, and you registered it with a Samsung account, visit findmymobile.samsung.com/ and log in to that account. Select your device on the left to track the phone's location, lock it with a new password, or wipe all its data permanently.
4
Install Android Lost remotely if you use Android 2.2 through 2.3.7. Android Lost is one of the few tracking apps that can be installed and registered remotely, after your phone has been stolen. Unfortunately, this remote installation feature is only available for the "Froyo" and "Gingerbread" builds of Android, from May 2010 through January 2011. On later versions of Android, the app will not start running until it is opened on the phone itself.^{[8]
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Research source} The device must also be online, and linked to your Google account.
- If you are lucky enough to use this version of Android, install the app from your computer through the app store online, selecting your stolen phone. After installation, register the app by texting your phone androidlost register from any phone.^{[9]
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- To access Android Lost controls, whether you registered remotely or in advance, visit androidlost.com/#controls and click the "Sign in" button on the top right. Log in to your Google account, and you will be able to track the location of the phone on a map, lock the phone, erase your SD card, and more.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Disabling a Stolen Windows Phone

1
Visit https://account.microsoft.com/devices/. Most Windows Phones should have a remote tracking and disabling service automatically enabled, as long as they were linked to a Microsoft account. Start by visiting account.microsoft.com/devices on any computer.
- You can try accessing the site from another smartphone or tablet, but there is no mobile website available, so the site may not be easy to use.
2
Log in to your Microsoft account. Enter your Microsoft account information to log in or click "Can't sign in to your account?" if you've forgotten your password.
- Do not try to sign in with a one-use code, as this code will be texted to your stolen phone.
3
Click Find my Phone in the top right. Hover over the words "Explore My Phone" and the image of a smartphone. A small box of menu items should appear. Select "Find my Phone" from these options.
4
Disable the phone or try other options. A map should appear showing the location of your phone, if it is turned on and has location data enabled. Several options should be available if the phone is turned on:^{[11]
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- Ring causes the device to ring even if the volume is turned off. This is mostly helpful for locating lost phones, not stolen ones.
- Lock will protect the phone with a new password.
- Erase will permanently wipe all personal data from your phone.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Contacting Your Service Provider

1
Understand the limits of this method. In most cases, the service provider will only be able to block phone and data service to your device, not protect your personal data. It's still a good idea to call them as soon as your phone is stolen, to avoid paying for your thief's data usage.
- Reporting the crime to the police is also recommended.
2
Use tracking or data wipe methods first, if possible. If you have lost a smartphone, refer to the other methods on this page to track the device's location, password-protect it, or wipe its data, if these options are enabled. Once service is disabled, these features will no longer function.
3
Contact AT&T. If AT&T provides your service, log in or create a Wireless account at myAT&T, using the number of your stolen phone. Once logged in, hover over "Wireless" at the top of the page and select "Suspend or Reactivate Service," then follow the instructions.^{[12]
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- Alternatively, call 800.331.0500 to disable your service for 30 days.
- Suspending your service in this way will prevent the thief from using the AT&T network for any purpose, even if a new SIM card is inserted.
4
Suspend Verizon service. Visit the Verizon suspend service page, signing in to your My Verizon account or creating a new one linked to your stolen phone's number. Follow the instructions, selecting "Stolen" as your reason and "stop billing" to be cleared of payment for 30 days.
- Your phone service and billing will automatically be re-enabled after 30 days.
- Suspending a service due to theft will not penalize your upgrade eligibility or any other features of your account.^{[13]
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5
Disable T-Mobile service. Visit the T-Mobile suspend services page and log in to your T-Mobile account, then follow instructions. Return to the same site to reactivate it if you locate your device.
6
Call Sprint. To cut off a Sprint phone from the network, call 888-211-4727 and ask to have your service suspended.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

What can I do if my phone was stolen and I don't have the Apple ID, but I know the IMEI?

Community Answer

Call the provider for your phone and tell them it was stolen. Have them turn the phone off until you can retrieve it. If not able to retrieve it, then call 911 and report the theft to the police.
Question

I was told to put in "*#06#". Where am I supposed to put it? I was told this will give me my serial numbers and shut my phone down.

C Grace

Community Answer

Typing *#06# into your phone gives you your IMEI number. You keep that number somewhere else so if your phone is lost or stolen, then you can contact your provider to shut your phone down.
Question

How can I lock my stolen phone if I do not remember my Google account?

Community Answer

If you have an iPhone, go on Find my iPhone and report it stolen. If you have an Android, use your recovery phone number as your password.