Has your smartphone been stolen? Here’s how to prevent the thief from turning off your phone so you can locate it

2024-09-01 06:47:34

Many criminals tend to turn off cell phones after stealing them, since this way the victims will not be able to locate them. How can you stop them from doing this?

When a criminal steals a smartphone, whether it’s an Android or iPhone, the first thing they usually do is turn off the device so that the owner can’t know its location when trying to get it back. Fortunately, brands like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and others have included some functions that prevent anyone from turning off or restarting the phone, since they will need a password to do so.

How to prevent a thief from turning off or restarting your cell phone?

According to Xataka, if you have an Android phone, the steps may vary depending on the manufacturer. In most smartphones that use the purest version of the operating system, you will have to enter the settings and follow these instructions:

1. Click on the ‘security and privacy’ option.
2. You will see the ‘security lock’ option. Press the gear icon on the right side.
3. You will find the ‘lock network and security’ function.
4. By default, this feature will be disabled, so you must enable it.
5. That’s it. From now on, whenever you need to turn off or restart your phone, you’ll be asked for your fingerprint, security code or pattern.

Users who own a Samsung phone, even foldable ones, also have this option, but finding it is a little more complex. Below, we will provide you with the correct steps so that you can activate it.

1. Go to your phone’s settings and go to ‘lock screen’.
2. Go to ‘secure lock settings’.
3. There you will find the option ‘block network and security’. You will have to activate it.

People who have a cell phone developed by Apple can also prevent a stranger from turning off their device; however, having this option properly configured is more complicated than on Android. Follow these steps and you will do it correctly.

1. In your iPhone settings, you will need to look for the ‘accessibility’ section.
2. You will see the ‘guided access’ option, you have to activate it.
3. Go to ‘code settings’ and set up a Face ID or password.
4. Go back and activate ‘quick function’.

Thanks to this setting, iPhones can be locked in an app, so no stranger can turn off the phone or access another app; they will have to enter the password or use the Face ID. To lock the device, just enter an app, press the side button three times, then press ‘options’ and deactivate them all.

How to locate a lost or stolen phone?

There are two tools called Find your Phone and Find my iPhone, available on Android and iPhone, respectively, that provide the ability to know the exact location of a smartphone, as long as it is kept on and with mobile data activated. In addition to locating them, both services allow you to format the devices or make them ring for five minutes, in case you are nearby.

For Android users

1. Open Google in any browser and search for Find your Phone.
2. Go to the first result and log in with your Google account (your Gmail account).
3. A list of your devices will appear. Select the one that was stolen or lost.
4. You will see a map of your city and the exact location of your team will be indicated.

For iOS users

1. Go to Google and search for Find my iPhone or ‘find my iPhone’
2. Go to the first result and wait for the page to load.
3. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
4. Select your stolen iPhone and wait for the map to appear with its location.

Source: La República.Perù.com