What to do if your tablet is lost or stolen: tips to help ease your concerns

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"Essential Steps to Take if Your Tablet Is Lost or Stolen"

What to do if your tablet is lost or stolen: tips to help ease your concerns analysis cover image The Guardian 9.1
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/25/what-to-do-if-your-tablet-is-lost-or-stolen-tips-to-help-ease-your-concerns
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TruthLens AI Summary

Tablets have become essential devices for both entertainment and managing daily tasks, making their loss a significant concern for users. When a tablet goes missing, it is not merely the financial aspect that is troubling; the potential exposure of personal information and sensitive data is equally alarming. To address this issue, users are advised to utilize tracking features such as 'Find My' for Apple and Google devices, or 'Manage Content and Devices' for Amazon Fire tablets. These tools can help locate the device, remotely lock it, mark it as lost, and even send a message to whoever might find it. In cases where recovery seems impossible, users can remotely erase their tablets to protect sensitive information. Additionally, if the tablet has mobile data capabilities, it is crucial to contact the mobile broadband provider to block the SIM card to prevent unauthorized charges. Users should also inform their credit card companies to disable any stored payment methods linked to the device.

Following the immediate steps post-theft, users should report the incident to the police, providing the device's IMEI number, which can be found through various accounts or services. Furthermore, contacting the tablet’s manufacturer can help flag the device as stolen, preventing future access. To mitigate risks in the future, users are encouraged to adopt preventive measures such as setting strong passwords, enabling biometric locks, and utilizing backup services like iCloud or Google Drive. Notably, keeping a record of the tablet’s serial number can aid in recovery efforts. Lastly, disabling access to quick settings and notifications while the device is locked can prevent unauthorized users from tampering with the device or accessing critical information. By taking these steps, users can better safeguard their tablets and personal data, ensuring a more secure experience in the event of loss or theft.

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Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/25/what-to-do-if-your-tablet-is-lost-or-stolen-tips-to-help-ease-your-concerns

Tablets are the go-to for entertainment on travels for adults and kids alike, but they contain much more than the latest episode ofThe Traitors, with access to the ins and outs of daily life. So when one gets lost or stolen, the cost of the slate isn’t the only thing to worry about. If yours disappears, here’s what to do.

Try to locate your tablet with Find My onAppleorGoogle, orManage Content and Devicesfor Amazon’s Fire tablets.

Remotely lock your tablet using Find My or management settings. Here you can mark it as lost, block the use of Apple or Google Pay, make it play a sound and leave a message on the screen for anyone who finds it. You can also remotely erase your tablet if you can’t find it.

If you have mobile data on your tablet, contact your mobile broadband provider and block your sim to stop thieves running up bills.

Contact your credit card company for any cards you have stored on your phone and disable Apple or Google Pay.

Report the theft to the police on 101 and give them your phone’s IMEI number, which may be on the box, in your Amazon, Apple or Google account or Find My services.

Contact your insurance company if you have tablet cover.

Report the theft to your tablet’s manufacturer so they can flag it as stolen next time it connects to the internet.

Change your passwords for key accounts. Start with your email account so thieves can’t gain access to your other accounts through password resets.

Deregister your tablet and remove it from your various accounts and services, which will log it out and stop thieves accessing saved details.

When you get a new or replacement tablet there are some steps you can take to help if it goes missing.

Set a strong pin, set a short screen-lock timeout and turn on biometric fingerprint or face scanners if your tablet has them.

Turn on Find My or location tracking on your tablet in the settings, which allows you to locate it, lock it or erase it remotely via a web browser or another device.

Take a note of your tablet’s serial number, which can be found on the box or in system settings.

Use biometrics for any banking and sensitive apps that support them, to block access.

Disable access to quick settings, Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant/Gemini and notifications when your tablet is locked, which prevents thieves turning off internet access or accessing some of your data.

Back up your tablet using iCloud on an iPad, Google Drive on an Android tablet or Amazon’s Backup and Restore feature on a Fire tablet.

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Source: The Guardian