This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube video (NBC Boston consumer report) titled "Preparation if you lose your mobile phone," published Feb 28, 2017. It's a short news/consumer segment hosted by reporter Leslie Gaydos featuring Hotspot Shield security expert Robert Siciliano and a participant, Debra Gelman, who recounts losing her phone. The piece gives practical tips for preparing for a lost or stolen phone: properly setting up Find My iPhone (including Lost Mode and last-location reporting), placing contact info on the locked home screen or via the Apple Health/ICE apps, using backups to preserve data, and noting that Android-specific guidance is available on NBCBoston.com.
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Welcome back. Losing your phone can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be.
That's good news there. It's as easy as taking some proactive steps and enabling some forgotten features. NBC Boston's consumer reporter Leslie Gaydos explains.
You know that awful feeling when your phone is gone.
I've lost my phone 3 times. I was so scared. It was a brand new phone, and I wasn't sure what to do in the situation. Debra Gelman took the obvious step. I tried to use Find My iPhone, but by the time I had gone back to look for it, it was nowhere to be found.
There are steps you can take to prepare for the inevitable and to make things easier if someone finds it.
It doesn't need to be the end of the world.
Even though the Find My iPhone app didn't work for Debra, Hotspot Shield security expert Robert Siciliano still recommends taking the extra time to set it up properly and make sure it works.
Have it set up on your spouse's phone or on your computer so you can remotely access it. If you put your phone in lost mode, it will send the last location of the device before the battery kicks out.
Before your iPhone is lost, take the time to make a simple tweak to the wallpaper.
Take a photo of your contact information and have that as your home screen.
If you can't do it on your own or don't like how it looks, there's an inexpensive app called ICE. 'in case of emergency.' It does the work for you and makes it easy for anyone who finds your phone find you just by looking at your locked home screen. Another way to get your iPhone back is through the infrequently used Apple Health app. Be sure to enter your contact information. If someone taps it on your home screen, even if it's locked, they can get your phone back to you. Be sure to have your contact information up to date on your phone. It helps Siri help the person who finds the phone. So let's try it out. Hey Siri, do you know who owns this iPhone?
I believe this iPhone belongs to Leslie.
She's right. And the most important thing to do in the event your phone is not found.
Make sure that you're automatically backing up your data every single day because if your phone is lost or stolen and you don't get it back, you can easily restore all your personal information.
The process is a little different for Android smartphones. Log on to NBCBoston.com for ways to prepare yourself if you own a droid. Leslie Gaydos, NBC Boston.
