Secure Your iPhone in 7 Minutes
"Thieves Want What’s On Your iPhone—
Here’s How to Lock Them Out for Good!"
Secure Your iPhone in 7 Minutes
"Thieves Want What’s On Your iPhone—Here’s How to Lock Them Out for Good!"
My iPhone holds my entire life! Photos I cherish, private conversations, banking apps that hold all my savings, passwords to every website I need! I need to protect all of this - just in case anything happens to my iPhone. I can’t risk that information getting into the wrong hands and I need to be able to access everything again if the worst happened.
"Here are 15 easy steps to Secure your Phone. If nothing else You MUST do Steps 6 & 7 Right Now!”
The good news is that Apple has built in features to keep everything safe if the iPhone ever goes missing. In 7 minutes I’m going to share with you the simple steps I take to be safe. I urge you to do this too! To protect your personal information, your money — and your peace of mind.
Why Should I Do This?
The data and apps on your phone are highly valuable. Unfortunately phones are being stolen now for more than just the handset value - sophisticated criminals want what’s inside! Have you seen these headlines in the media recently?
“My phone was stolen - what came next was WORSE!"
“Phone snatcher stole £21,000 from my bank apps and put me £12,000 in debt!!”
“Phone thefts in Cities reach Epidemic levels”
Financial apps give thieves access to take all your money and take loans out in your name. Photos give them details about your loved ones, friends, home and workplace. Private photos, notes or data give a criminal the ability to blackmail or extort victims. Yes this is scary. No face ID and a 6-digit passcode won’t save you.
Here’s How We Help You Protect Yourself in Less Time than it takes to Drink a Cup of Coffee
There are several ways to protect yourself. Just like you feel safer if you put a gold bar in a bank vault, you can put your valuable data and personal items behind layers of security. This guide explains how. Step-by-step. In the time it takes you to drink a coffee, you can be phone-safe!
1. Enable Face ID or Touch ID
The probability of a random person unlocking an iPhone with Face ID is 1 in 1,000,000, while the probability for Touch ID is 1 in 50,000
Why Should I Do This?
You likely already have Face ID or Touch ID, activated. If not, these methods of unlocking your phone or accessing apps without typing a passcode and adds an extra layer of security. Others can’t sneakily look at and re-type to gain access.
How Do I Do This?
Go to Settings
If your iPhone has Face ID, tap Face ID & Passcode
If your iPhone has a Home button, tap Touch ID & Passcode
Select: set up Face ID or Touch ID then follow the instructions.
2. Reduce Screen Lock Time
APPLE FACE ID. Image: courtesy of AppleYour phone will lock after a certain period of time. Reducing this makes it safer.
Why Should I Do This?
If someone gets hold of your phone it’s far more dangerous if they can access your data and apps. Reducing the time until your phone locks reduces this risk, especially if your phone is left out, for example on a cafe table.
How Do I Do This?
To change the screen lock time on an iPhone, you can do the following:
Open Settings
Tap Display & Brightness
Tap Auto-Lock
Choose a length of time: I suggest 30seconds (the shortest).
3. Write Down Your IMEI & Serial Numbers
Why Do This?
If your phone is lost or stolen, you’ll need the IMEI number to give to police and insurance (if you are covered).
How Do I Do This?
Settings: Go to Settings > General > About
Scroll until you see the Serial Number and the IMEI number. Note the IMEI not the IMEI2.
Write these in a diary, notebook, or piece of paper that you keep in a safe place that you will remember! Do not store them in notes on your phone, unless the notes app is available on your other devices (e.g. evernote).
4. Boost Your Passcode
Most of us use the default four-digit or six-digit passcode number. If you’re still using a four-digit passcode you MUST switch to the six-digit. There are also much stronger versions - we know you might think that’s not convenient, but I always recommend to my friends to do so!
The passcode options for an iPhone include:
Four-digit numeric code: The least secure option.
Six-digit numeric code: A stronger option than a four-digit passcode.
Custom numeric code: An even more secure option than a six-digit passcode.
Custom alphanumeric code: The most secure option, which includes lowercase and capital letters, digits, and special characters.
Why Should I Make My Password More Complicated?
It quickly boosts your safety. Imagine locking an expensive bike to a lamp post with a basic wire lock. That’s a four-digit number code.
Now imagine you use a heavy chain and padlock. This is the six-digit code.
Would you prefer to use a solid U-lock? That’s a custom numeric code.
Prefer your bike to be guarded by a six-foot five-inch wrestler, with a Rottweiler? This is the custom alphanumeric code.
How Do I Do This?
Go to Settings
If your iPhone has Face ID, tap Face ID & Passcode
If your iPhone has a Home button, tap Touch ID & Passcode
If your iPhone doesn't have Touch ID, tap Passcode
Tap Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode
Enter your current passcode
Tap Passcode Options to choose your new passcode format
Create a 6-digit passcode, or better yet, choose Custom Alphanumeric Code for extra security.
Enter your new passcode twice to confirm
Tip: Don’t use “123456” or your birthday—try something unique!
For extra security, you randomize the characters in your passcode. A good length for an alphanumeric passcode is six to ten characters. Think you won’t remember the passcode? Take something memorable and turn it into your code:
Examples:
My Favourite Place is Marbella in Summer, it’s 100% Me! = MFPiMiS100%
After entering your new code just 5 times, you’ll remember it easily.
always turn on Find my iphone [Image: courtesy of Apple]5. Turn On “Find My iPhone”
Why is this important?
Because if your phone disappears, you can locate it on a map, remotely lock it, and even erase it if needed. It’s one of the best built-in tools for iPhone security.
How Do I Do This?
Open Settings > Tap your name at the top.
Choose Find My > Find My iPhone.
Make sure Find My iPhone is toggled On.
6. Turn On Stolen Device Protection
When the Stolen Device Protection setting is turned on, changing certain settings will require a successful Face ID or Touch ID, then you’ll need to wait an hour, then once again use Face ID or Touch ID.
Why is This Important?
If a thief steals a phone, they try to access your settings and change your passwords to lock you out of your iPhone or Apple Account. This is why they want to steal phones that are unlocked (when people are using them), as they can go straight to settings and change your passcode and swap the Face ID or Touch ID to recognise their own face or fingerprint! This then lets them access all your apps (including banking and crypto apps) and remove the money, steal the data or delete it! Often this happens within minutes, giving you no time to react or prevent further loss.
By simply switching on ‘stolen device protection’ in your settings, they will find this harder to do and be delayed for an hour - enough time for you to access iCloud from a computer, iPad or friends phone to delete everything on your iPhone. These measures help protect your device and account, and give you more time to turn on Lost Mode using the ‘Find My’ app or find devices on iCloud.com
How Do I Do This?
Go to Settings, then do one of the following:
On an iPhone with Face ID: Tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
On an iPhone with a Home button: Tap Touch ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
Scroll down and tap Stolen Device Protection.
Note: If you don’t see Stolen Device Protection, you may need to set up Face ID or Touch ID first.
Turn on Stolen Device Protection.
Now do one of the following:
Use Stolen Device Protection when you’re away from home or work: Tap Away from Familiar Locations.
Use Stolen Device Protection everywhere: Tap Always.
I prefer to use the “everywhere” option as it’s the most secure. You rarely need to access these settings and if you do, waiting an hour is typically fine: I can’t think of any more urgent reasons.
7. Remove Airplane Mode from your Lock Screen
Did you know a thief can stop you tracking your phone in 2-clicks? How - most iPhones let you access Airplane mode without unlocking the phone, by swiping down when locked to reveal controls like these:
The Orange Icon is Airplane Mode: Remove to be Safe! [Image: courtesy of Apple]Thieves can stop you tracking your phone (using the find my phone feature) by enabling Airplane Mode - make life more difficult for them by removing this option without the passcode or Face ID.
To remove Airplane mode you’ll edit the layout of the Control Center on an iPhone:
Open Control Center, do one of the following:
On an iPhone with Face ID: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
On an iPhone with a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom. If you continue swiping up, you see more groups of controls.
Tap the + sign in the top left corner.
To remove the button for ‘Airplane mode’ tap the Remove icon - the minus sign inside the circle on the top left of this group of icons:
Remove Access to the Flight Mode option when your iPhone is locked.If you still want to access the other controls like WiFi and VPN that are in this control center you can add those back one-by-one, by selecting ‘+’ on the top left of the control center screen then selecting ‘Add a Control’ on the bottom of the screen. Only add back those controls that you need quick access to! The less controls others can access, the safer.
With the latest iOS operating software update, the flight mode control is also accessible from 2 other locations, which you need to delete: see the image below where it says ‘other groups of controls.’
Select these and wherever you see the flight mode icon, click the ‘+’ on the top left and again delete the widget using the ‘-’
Pro Tip: remove any other buttons you don’t need to constantly access from the home screen. The less access to unauthorised users, the better.
Note that unfortunately switching off the phone or putting it in a special faraday bag will also stop Find My iPhone working, yet making life harder is the best tactic to protect yourself.
8. Turn off Face ID for Important Apps
Why do this?
Any apps which access money, crypto or investments are more likely to be accessed to steal your money! Removing Face ID means a rogue individual needs to know your PIN code. This typically offers extra protection, as long as you keep your code hidden when entering it in public.
Here are the obvious ones to remove Face ID for:
Banking
Credit Cards
Shares / Investment Apps
Crypto Apps
Crypto Wallets
Authentication Apps (2 factor authentication like Authy or Google Authenticator)
How to do it:
Goto Settings
Face ID & Passcode / Touch ID & Passcode
Enter your passcode when prompted
Select ‘Other Apps’
Unselect important apps
9. Keep an Up-to-Date Backup
Regular backups mean you don’t lose all your precious photos, messages, and files if you ever have to erase your phone or replace it. Here’s how:
Go to Settings > Tap your name at the top > iCloud.
Select iCloud Backup and turn it On.
Tap Back Up Now to start the process immediately.
IMPORTANT: You need to store your Apple ID Password (you use this to access iCloud) somewhere safe and accessible. If it’s only stored on a password app on your phone, how will you access it if you don’t have your phone?
Make sure your password is complicated (otherwise it will quickly be hacked). Something like: 5Tr()nG!_p@55W0rD!
Keep a written copy somewhere safe at home (e.g. in a safe) and at work (lockable draw). Don’t write on the piece of paper “AppleID”, just the password. Place this in a sealed envelope with “In case of emergency” written on it. This way you’ll know if someone else opens the envelope to see it (if so, immediately change your password and repeat).
Keep a copy with a trusted relative whose phone number you know in your head. Again write it on a piece of paper and give it to them in a sealed envelope with only your first name or nickname on the envelope. Never put your email or full name on the paper or envelope (making it harder to identify you if someone gets hold of it). Pro Tip: If you’re paranoid or to be extra safe add an extra character at the beginning and end of the password, that you know to take off if you use it. Example: turn 5Tr()nG!_p@55W0rD! into Z5Tr()nG!_p@55W0rD!Z, where you remove the ‘Z’ before using.
Tip: Leave your phone charging and connected to Wi-Fi overnight. It’ll automatically back up, so you’re always up to date.
10. Keep Passwords backed up in a Secure App on your Computer
Too many people use a simple password that is easy to hack using basic software. Family names, birth dates, normal words can all be hacked in seconds. Now you’ve understood you need complex passwords, you can’t make the mistake of keeping them in your phone notes or some other place they can be accessed easily.
A secure password manager is essential! Apple now include a password manager, and this is a start, although for the best protection, I have used 1Password for years. 1Password gives the ability to use passwords across multiple devices and keeps track of everything important — like credit cards, passports, travel ID numbers, and reward program profiles. You can even store important documents on it. With individual and family plans, I find it cost effective with peace of mind (unlike some other password apps, it’s never been hacked). The inbuilt password generator means when I create a new login to a site, 1Password creates a strong password that I simply copy and paste in.
Pro Tip: do not use Google, Facebook or Apple to sign into websites. If that password is breached or stolen, multiple accounts of yours will be vulnerable. Instead play safe: a different password for each site, stored in an app like 1Password.
use one password to securely manage passwords across all your devices11. Keep a Note of Key Contacts & Links
If your phone went missing, would you know what to do and who to contact?
Write down the contacts listed below onto:
3 pieces of paper, put them in sealed envelopes and keep one at work, one at home and one in your car, labelled “phone-safe.”
On the back of a business card that you keep in your wallet or purse (so you have it quickly to hand).
An email that you send to yourself (personal and work address).
Important: Never write any passwords on these!
Here are the contacts to write on the pieces of paper / business card / email:
Phone-safe.org - yes keeping this website address handy means you can access the list of urgent actions, such as activating lost mode and erasing data if needed.
Bank / credit card: contact phone numbers. Write down the emergency contact phone number for:
Every credit and debit card you put on your phone for Apple Pay (also note the last 4 digits of your card number).
All banking apps (you don’t need to write your bank account number).
Crypto apps (or website details).
Phone numbers of any friends or relatives you would call to help you.
Pro Tip: remove crypto apps and as many bank apps as possible from your phone. Yes it’s less convenient, but do you really need to access them all the time? Far safer to access them via your computer at home or at work. Any savings or crypto you can access on these phone apps can be targeted by criminals!
Also remove credit or debit cards you don’t use from Apply Pay, as they can be used to make purchases before you have cancelled them. Personally I’d never put a debit card on Apple Pay - credit cards offer more protection in case of fraudulent spending.
12. Don’t Forget Physical Security
The safest way to keep your phone is out-of-sight when in public places! Don’t walk down the street checking instagram or on facetime. When you do need to check messages or use the map for directions, use the tips below.
[peu5rYour phone is most valuable when it’s unlocked, as thieves can then change the Face or Touch ID to their face or fingerprint! So be extra vigilant when using your phone on the street, in the park or on public transport. Avoid using it when you can!
Keep your phone out of sight
In your front trouser/pants pocket or an inside jacket pocket.
Avoid outside jacket pockets or back pockets that are easy to snatch from.
If you have to carry it in a handbag, place a cloth on top of it and try to keep your arm over the bag.
Never leave your phone in a rucksack or hang it from your neck!
Be extra cautious in crowded places - streets, shops, trains - pickpockets are real, but thieves are often coming up behind people using their phone for a call or checking an app or email and snatching it whilst it’s unlocked. Another common tactic is for someone to distract you by asking for directions or knocking something over in front of you, whilst their accomplice snatches the phone and runs off.
Avoid letting strangers use your phone - if someone makes an excuse to use your phone, say you’ll make the call for them and go into a safe place like a shop before you do. Tricksters can pretend to need your phone because theirs is lost or out of battery, to get you to unlock it.
When using your phone on a street - try to go into a shop, or stand in a doorway with your back to the street and place one hand on top of the phone to make it tricky to snatch. Consider using a wrist strap to make the phone harder to snatch (do not use the neck or body straps!).
On public transport - phone snatchers often grab phones just before the doors of the bus, tube or train close. If you’re standing near the exit, keep your hand on top of your phone if using it (use two hands). If you might fall asleep, ensure the phone is hidden in an inside or hard to access front pocket. Never leave it on display or hold it.
In Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes - NEVER leave a phone on a table. Thieves grab and run or distract and snatch. Don’t leave it in an outside coat pocket or a handbag hanging on a chair - all too easy for a sneaky thief to pickpocket.
When using Map Directions on your phone -
Keep it in your pocket and stop occasionally in safe place to check where to go next.
Use headphones and listen to directions whilst the phone is in your pocket or handbag (this also saves your battery by leaving the screen off)
Use an apple watch if you have one.
Cycling with your phone on the handle bars or in your back pocket? Snatchers try and strike whilst you are waiting at traffic lights! Keep the phone hidden or secured to the bike with a holder that uses a locking mechanism like this good value secure holder.
When you’ve just used Apple Pay at the tube/train barrier, especially when leaving a station, put your other hand over the top of the phone until you return it to your pocket or handbag as an unlocked phone is more attractive. Even better - use your credit card or apple watch on these occasions.
When waiting for an Uber or Taxi on the street, take care as you’re more vulnerable when looking at your phone for updates. Stand in a doorway with the phone shielded by your body if you need to look at it.
After a drink your guard is lower, your awareness is diminished. Put the phone away until you get home!
13. Use “Lost Mode” If Your Phone Goes Missing
If you ever misplace your phone, don’t panic! Just log in to iCloud.com (using your email address or phone number and Apple ID password) or use the Find My app on another Apple device:
Select your missing iPhone from the device list.
Tap Mark As Lost (or Lost Mode on the website).
This will remotely lock your device and display a custom message (like “Please call me at this number if found”).
Bonus: You can keep track of its location, so if someone picks it up and tries to move it, you’ll know.
Yes, phone theft or loss can happen, but with these steps, you’re putting barriers between strangers and your personal data. If the unexpected does happen, you’ve got the tools to protect your info and, if possible, recover your device.
Pro Tip: When travelling or on holiday, would you know your iCloud password if you needed to access it? Ensure you have left it safely accessible somehow, such as in the envelope with a family member.
14. Be Ready to Erase It Remotely - Quickly
In the worst-case scenario—like if you’re sure your phone was stolen—you can do a remote erase. This wipes all the data off your iPhone so thieves can’t get your info.
From Find My on another device or iCloud.com, select your iPhone.
Choose Erase iPhone.
Note: Once you erase your phone, you can’t track its location anymore. Only do this if you’re certain your phone is gone for good (if stolen, then don’t waste time, do this quickly).
15. Change 2-Factor Authentication & Passwords
If your phone is used for 2-factor authentication, remove it as a ‘trusted device.’
Change passwords for email, and any sensitive apps like banking, crypto, email, as soon as possible, for extra security.
What about Authy/Google Authenticator apps?
You can’t recover Google Authenticator from a lost phone. If you lose the phone, you lose access to the secret keys. Anyone who accesses Google Authenticator on a lost phone has access to the 2FA codes for the accounts within, which can be a problem if they know the corresponding account passwords (hence you must use a password manager).
Google mitigates this risk by not syncing Google Authenticator to the cloud. But this also means that if you lose your phone, all the data is lost. You won’t be able to generate a Google Authenticator key to get past the 2FA barrier on your accounts.
If you lose the phone that has Google Authenticator, you should immediately secure your accounts by signing in another way and resetting your two-factor authentication (2FA). If possible, remotely wipe your lost phone. Then, install Google Authenticator on your new phone and reconnect it to your accounts.
Use an Alternate Login Method
Most services let you log in without Google Authenticator to reset your 2FA. Here are some options:
Backup Codes: Many services give you one-time backup codes for emergencies. If you have one, use it to sign in.
Another Device: If you're already logged in on another device, go to your security settings to disable or reset 2FA. For example, if you're signed in on a Google device like a Home Mini or Nest, you can verify your account there.
SMS Code: After you get a new phone and SIM card, you might be able to receive a verification code by text message.
Customer Service: If none of these options work, contact customer support. They can verify your identity and help you regain access.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your iPhone safe isn’t just about fancy tech features; it’s about staying mindful of where your phone is and who has access to it. By setting a strong passcode, enabling Find My iPhone, and regularly backing up your data, you’ll be ahead of the game.
If your phone does go missing, act quickly: use Lost Mode, track it with ‘Find My’, and if it’s truly gone, erase it remotely. That way, your private info stays private.
Remember—when it comes to phone safety, a little prevention goes a long way. Stay safe out there!
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