There is a lot of personal information on your phone and, in case of loss or theft of the device, we run greater risks than in the past.
This is because, today, we use many applications with which we share data such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Gmailecc.
If your phone is lost or stolen there are procedures you can perform that disconnect all the personal accountsin order to prevent other people from using it, in case they end up in the wrong hands.
After this step, it will also be possible to completely block the phone, let’s see how to do it.
WhatsApp Removal
WhatsApp is the most used app for converse with peopleand it is also the one with which we exchange our personal information the most.
Since the account is linked to the phone number, you will need it buy a new SIM card and activate the same number on the new device.
If there is no time to do this, it is possible ask for WhatsApp to be deactivated at [email protected], entering as the reason “Lost/stolen: account deactivation + phone number preceded by +39”.
In the event that WhatsApp is accessible from another phone or PC, it will be possible to remove access or change the primary device directly from the settings, in order to unlink your account from the stolen phone.
Disconnect Instagram and Facebook
Per unlink Instagram from the stolen phone just change the account password. After the change, the profile logs out all active sessions.
To make the change simply enter the Meta Account Management Centerchoose Account and security >Change password and change it.
From this page you can also block or change your password connected to Facebook.
Account Google ed Apple ID
Among the most important accounts on a device are Google (for Android) and l’account Apple ID (per iPhone).
Per change your Google account password you need to enter the web account from a PC, log in with your credentials and go to Security.
To make the change click on Password and then up Login to Googlein the window you will be asked to enter the old password and then the new one.
To add an additional level of security you can click on Security > Your Devices and then up Manage devices and remove the account from the lost phone.
If you want instead change your Apple ID account passwordyou need to open the Apple ID page from your PC or MAC, enter your credentials and go to Security and Change Password.
The current one must be entered and then the new one, and after confirming the change, all devices connected with the old password will be disconnected.
Deactivating the SIM
Once you’ve unlinked all your personal accounts, it’s time to suspend the SIM to prevent anyone who has found the device from sending text messages or making calls.
Per deactivate the SIM you need to go to your manager’s store or, alternatively, call an operator: 119 for TIM; 190 for Vodafone; 155 for Wind and 177 for Iliad.
IMEI deactivation
Every phone has IMEI, a unique code associated with a SIM slot which serves to block the device in case of loss or theft.
With the block it will no longer be possible to use any SIM, not even by formatting the device returning it to the factory settings.
Read our article to find out how to find the IMEI code of your iPhone and other devices.
After recovery, it is possible to block the phone by attaching the IMEI to the report to the Carabinieri or the State Police.