I recently became phoneless, leaving my iPhone on the tube late on a Saturday night.
After speaking to a passive-aggressive O2 operator about 10 minutes later to disable my SIM and handset, then passing the details onto TfL (who told me, in a roundabout way, that it pretty much probably definitely won’t turn up), my friends helpfully informed me of all the phone-locating apps I now couldn’t download to help find my phone.
Here’s a few of the best ones I found anyway…
Find My iPhone (iOS)
This Apple app requires you to sign up on iCloud first, but after that you’re away – login and click Find my iPhone. Once it’s located you can play a sound (if it’s just somewhere in your bedroom), send a message or even remotely lock and wipe the device.
Prey (Android, iOS, Mac and Linux computers)
This open source programme tracks stolen laptops as well as phones, and not only does it give you the location of your stolen device, but also shows you screenshots of what the thief is doing on your piece of kit.
Anyone with a webcam (basically everyone these days) benefits too, as it takes a snapshot of the thief and send it to you.
Lookout Mobile Security & Plan B (Android)
This one is a phone locator and antivirus software all in one. Plan B can actually be installed after your phone’s gone missing – it starts automatically and emails the location of your phone to your Gmail address.
You can then get a fix on the exact address by texting ‘locate’ to your number from a friend’s phone.
