Lost your cell phone on vacation? Here's what to do next

Cell phones are among the handiest items travelers can pack, allowing them to scan a boarding pass, navigate maps and snap photos while sightseeing all in one. But with the devices serving so many functions, it can put a damper on a trip if they go missing.

Phones not only help facilitate the basic mechanics of travel but also contain a range of sensitive information, from banking to credit cards, according to Gary Brickhouse, Chief Information Security Officer at GuidePoint Security.

Losing a phone or having it stolen can be stressful, but travelers can take steps to protect their information and potentially get their devices back. Here’s what to know.

Secure your phone before traveling

Along with packing a bag or checking in for a flight, travelers should consider securing their phone as part of their pre-travel checklist. Brickhouse recommended setting a passcode or other kind of lock screen verification like Face ID “to make sure that not just anyone can get into your phone.”

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Phone locating features, like Apple’s Find My app, are commonly available on all smartphones, and Brickhouse said taking the time to set them up before a trip can be helpful if your device goes missing. He added that most of the programs allow you to use at least their basic features even without setup beforehand.

Travelers may also want to add multi-factor authentication to any apps with sensitive information on their device. “So, even if somebody accessed your bank account application, it’s still going to ask for some additional check of who you are,” Brickhouse said.

How do I find my lost phone?

If travelers notice their phone is missing during a trip, Brickhouse encouraged them to start simple: call or message the device to see if anyone answers in the hopes they might help get it back to its rightful owner.

Travelers can also use phone-location features to determine their phone’s whereabouts. Apple’s Find My app, for example, can show users where their phone or other device is on a map, play a sound to help pinpoint its location and notify them when they have left it somewhere unfamiliar, among other features.

“ ‘Did I leave it at a Starbucks? Did I leave it in my Uber?’ ” Brickhouse said. “And from there you can take some level of action.” In the latter case, rideshare passengers can also reach out to their Uber or Lyft drivers or to the companies for help.

Given that many travelers use their cell phones as both a primary method of communication and a navigation tool, Brickhouse encouraged having analog backups. Consider writing down directions to your hotel, for example, or the phone numbers of emergency contacts.

“If you were to ask me to call my brother, I literally have no idea what his phone (number) is,” he said. “He’s just in my phone, and I’m afraid we’re all victims of that.”

What should I do if I can’t find my phone?

If you aren’t able to find your phone or suspect it has been stolen, switch into damage-control mode. Brickhouse said travelers should be able to remotely lock their phones through phone-location features, which can help prevent bad actors from accessing the device. He also warned that time is of the essence.

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If it becomes clear that your phone is gone for good, those programs also allow users to wipe their devices, deleting photos, saved passwords and other information. “It would basically render that phone largely useless at that point,” Brickhouse said.

To be safe, consider changing the passwords for any applications or accounts you had on the phone as well, such as for social media or credit cards.

Brickhouse also recommended travelers notify their cell phone carrier that the phone has gone missing, because those companies can disable service to the phone and potentially prevent it from being reused. Carriers often offer insurance that can cover lost or stolen phones, he said.

Does travel insurance cover a cell phone?

Comprehensive travel insurance may offer reimbursement for phones that are damaged or stolen during a trip, according to Meghan Walch, Director of Product at InsureMyTrip. However, only a portion of its value may be covered, she said.