Step-by-step advice for the first crucial hour.

Lost a phone or laptop? Here’s what to do next.

TrackItBack is a simple, no-drama guide to recovering lost or stolen devices and locking down your data before someone else gets to it. Start with the checklist below, then follow the focused guides for phones, laptops and more.

Works with iPhone, Android, Windows & macOS. Links to official recovery tools, not shady apps.

Step-By-Step Guides for Common Devices

Each situation is a little different, but the pattern is the same: locate if possible, lock it down, then limit the damage. These mini-guides give you a focused plan you can follow in order.

Phones

Lost or stolen smartphone

Modern phones ship with built-in tracking and remote-lock tools. Your goal is to use them quickly, before the battery dies or the thief powers the device down.

  • Use the last known location from Apple or Google.
  • Lock the device & show a contact message.
  • Only erase remotely once you’re sure you can’t get it back.

Don’t go chasing a dot on the map into unsafe locations. If it looks like theft, involve local authorities.

Read full smartphone guide →
Laptops

Lost laptop at a café, airport or coworking space

With laptops, the bigger risk is usually the data on the drive. Your best defense is full-disk encryption and knowing which accounts were signed in.

  • Check whether macOS “Find My” or Windows tracking was enabled.
  • Change passwords for any accounts logged in on that device.
  • Notify your employer’s IT if it was a work machine.

For shared or work devices, ask IT whether they support mobile device management (MDM) and remote wipe.

Read full laptop guide →
Tablets & e-readers

Misplaced tablet or e-reader at home or school

These devices often auto-sign-in to stores, games and email. Even if you’re sure it’s just “lost in the house”, it’s worth locking down key accounts.

  • Use any “Find Device” option tied to your Apple, Google or Amazon account.
  • Disable one-click purchases or stored cards.
  • Talk to school IT if it’s a school-issued device.
Read full tablet & e-reader guide →
Work devices

Company phone or laptop gone missing

If the device was owned by your employer, treat it as a security incident. Most companies would rather hear about it early than be surprised later.

  • Notify your manager and IT/security team as soon as possible.
  • Provide last known location, time and what was on the device.
  • Follow their instructions on reporting and remote wipe.
Read full work-device guide →

Official Device Recovery & Remote-Lock Tools

Always start with official tools from device makers, operating systems and carriers. They are safer than random apps that promise miracles in exchange for money or access to your accounts.

Carriers, accounts & extras

Your mobile carrier and online accounts can limit how useful a stolen device is to whoever has it.

  • Contact your mobile carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers, etc.) to suspend SIM service or block a device.
  • Update your primary email account password and sign-out sessions.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication wherever you can.

When to involve police & your bank

Not every misplaced phone is a crime. But there are clear cases where escalating helps:

  • If you see the device moving to unfamiliar locations.
  • If corporate or sensitive client data was on the device.
  • If your banking, crypto or payment apps were accessible.

For stolen devices, many countries let you file basic online police reports. If you see unauthorized card charges or transfers, contact your bank’s fraud or security line immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few straight answers to questions people ask right after a device goes missing.

Can I track a device that never had “Find My” or “Find Device” turned on? ›
Without some kind of tracking or account tie-in enabled beforehand, your options are limited. You generally can’t “switch on” GPS tracking after the fact.

What you can still do:
  • Change passwords for email, social media and banking apps that were signed in.
  • Ask your carrier to suspend service or flag your number.
  • Monitor for suspicious logins or charges and act quickly.
Should I pay someone who claims they can get my phone or data back? ›
In short: you almost never should.

Many “recovery experts” advertising on social media or random forums are scammers. They may ask for remote access to your accounts, crypto payments or gift cards and then disappear. Stick with:
  • Official tools from Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and your carrier.
  • Local law enforcement for theft or blackmail.
  • Your bank’s fraud team for unauthorized payments.
Is it safer to erase my device immediately? ›
Wiping a device remotely protects your data, but it can also remove your last chance to locate it.

Reasonable approach:
  • If the map shows it still at a familiar place (home, work, friend’s house), wait.
  • If it clearly looks stolen and is moving, prioritize your data and erase.
  • For corporate devices, follow your company’s policy and the guidance of IT.
What can I do today so a future loss is less painful? ›
A few boring steps make a lost device more annoying than catastrophic:
  • Turn on full-disk encryption (FileVault on macOS, BitLocker or device encryption on Windows, built-in encryption on modern phones).
  • Enable “Find My” / “Find Device” for phones, tablets and laptops.
  • Use unique passwords and a password manager instead of reusing one login everywhere.
  • Switch important accounts to multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Keep regular backups so losing hardware doesn’t mean losing memories or work.