7 Ways to Lock Your Smartphone to Stop Thieves

Protecting smartphones from cyber attacks is paramount in the digital age, as the device has become a virtual “mobile safe” containing all personal and work data.

The worrying thing, however, is that conventional cybersecurity measures – like antivirus software or a firewall – are completely useless if your phone falls into the hands of a thief. In this situation, the issue is no longer to stop hackers remotely, but to prevent strangers from gaining direct access to your device.

So if you're serious about protecting your personal information and privacy, setting up physical and software security locks to protect your phone from theft is a must-have step, not only to prevent thieves from stealing your device, but also to stop the risk of attacks, fraud, and identity theft right from the device in your pocket.

1. Enable anti-theft feature

One of the most important steps to protecting your device from thieves is to take advantage of the anti-theft features built into your operating system. On Android and iOS, make sure you have Find My Device (Android) or Find My iPhone (iOS) turned on to track and remotely lock your device if necessary.

With Android 16, the 2025 release, Google has significantly upgraded its protection capabilities with the “Comprehensive Advanced Protection” feature. This feature includes Theft Detection Lock, which automatically locks the phone if it detects sudden movement such as being snatched from your hand.

Additionally, Offline Device Lock will automatically activate if the phone is disconnected from the network. In particular, if the device is kept for more than 3 days without being unlocked, the Inactive Restart feature will activate and require re-authentication, disabling the device even if the thief bypasses the lock screen.

On iOS, Stolen Device Protection enhances security by adding a delay when changing important settings, giving you a golden opportunity to remotely lock your device before it's too late.

2. Switch to eSIM for enhanced protection after device loss

While an eSIM doesn't directly prevent a phone from being stolen, it does make it harder for thieves to exploit or resell the device. Unlike a physical SIM card, which can be easily removed and replaced, an eSIM is built into the device and is tightly tied to the user's account.

This means thieves can't simply insert a new SIM to use a different network, a factor that makes it easier to locate your phone through your carrier's triangulation system.

While eSIMs can theoretically be hacked, it requires a high level of technical skill and specialized equipment. This barrier makes eSIM phones less attractive to thieves, especially since the device can still be locked and disabled remotely at any time.

3. Enable biometric locking for sensitive apps

Even if a thief gets past your lock screen, protecting sensitive apps with biometrics like Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprints will help keep your personal and financial data safe.

On iOS, apps like banking, email, or password managers support biometric locks. You can enable them by long-pressing the app icon and selecting “Request Face ID.”

On Android, while there is no system option available to lock specific apps, you can take advantage of the “Private Space” feature, which lets you set biometrics as a requirement for app access.

Additionally, apps in “Private Space” are hidden from the main app drawer, which increases security by making it harder for thieves to spot. This is an important layer of defense in case your phone falls into the hands of a stranger.

4. Turn on tracking

When a phone is stolen, the ability to track it remotely is vital. Apple’s built-in “Find My” location and security service has proven its power thanks to millions of devices helping to locate each other around the world.

When you mark your iPhone as “lost” via iCloud, it will automatically lock and can only be unlocked with Face ID or Touch ID, even if a thief has your passcode. In some cases, you can still locate the device even if it’s offline.

Google is also expanding its Android tracking ecosystem. With the Android 16 update, the “Find My Device” feature is improved to work even when the phone is turned off.

Meanwhile, the new Moto Tag tracker supports ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which promises more accurate tracking, although some advanced features still require high-end hardware.

5. Enable factory reset protection

One of the most effective protections on Android is the “Factory Reset Protection” feature. When someone tries to reset the device via recovery mode or remotely using the “Find My Device” feature, the system will ask for authentication using the last PIN, password, pattern, or log in to a previously linked Google account.

Without providing this information, the device will not be able to get past the initial setup step, rendering it completely useless in the hands of a thief.

With Android 16, Google enhances this feature by forcing users to re-authenticate after a restore and restricting all functionality if an illegal reset is detected.

Notably, all security settings, including tracking features, will remain intact after the reset, making it easy for users to locate stolen devices and prevent resale on the secondary market.

6. Always keep your software updated

While it may sound simple, regular software updates are key to protecting your phone from modern threats. Google and Apple are constantly releasing security patches and new features to bolster their defenses against increasingly sophisticated hackers, malware, and theft.

Updating your device as soon as a new version is available not only patches known vulnerabilities, but also enables new defensive features that can make or break the difference between getting your lost phone back or not.

Even if an update doesn’t mention “anti-theft,” it can still block exploits that attackers use to bypass current protections. In today’s mobile world, an outdated device is a vulnerable device, and updates are a line of defense you can’t afford to ignore.

7. Use a phone lanyard

In the age of biometrics and global positioning, a seemingly outdated mechanical solution is becoming an effective anti-theft "weapon": the phone lanyard.

The principle is simple: if you don’t want your device snatched away, keep it attached to your body. Nowadays, many accessory companies offer phone lanyards with compact, fashionable designs, allowing users to wear their phones on their wrists, backpacks, or belts. These products are popular on e-commerce platforms, with prices starting at just $10.

While not everyone likes having their phone “dangling” around while moving, it can bump into objects, scratch or break the screen, but in crowded environments like buses, festivals or walking streets, a lanyard can really make a difference.

A quick tug will fail if the device is firmly attached to your body. This simple method has helped many people keep their phones while moving around in crowded places.

While not as flashy as tracking technology or biometric locks, a phone lanyard is still a reliable physical layer of protection. While software can be bypassed or disabled, having the device attached to you can shorten response times and even catch thieves on the spot.

In short, protecting your phone from theft is just as important as protecting it from cyberattacks or malware. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to do it, and with just a few simple tweaks to your settings, you can put solid layers of defense in place for your device.

However, no matter how advanced technology is, it cannot replace personal vigilance. When in public or crowded areas, proactively keeping your device under control is still key to avoiding becoming a target for thieves.

A combination of digital security measures and physical protection habits is key to keeping your phone and all the precious data inside safe.