The short answer
A strong screen lock, find-my-device turned on, and a separate PIN on your banking apps. The phone is worth little; the accounts on it are worth a great deal.
- Use a six-digit PIN or better, not four, and not a pattern that is visible as a smear on the glass.
- Turn on find-my-device so you can locate, lock and erase it remotely.
- Hide notification content on the lock screen, which otherwise shows verification codes to anyone holding the phone.
- Add a separate passcode or biometric to banking and payment apps.
- Set a SIM PIN, which stops a thief moving the SIM to another handset to receive your verification texts.
- Note the IMEI somewhere else, which the police and your insurer will ask for.
What will ruin it
The commonest theft now is watching somebody type their passcode before taking the phone. Cover the screen when you unlock it in public, the same way you would a cash machine.
Why it works
With the passcode, a thief can change the account password, disable tracking, read verification codes and reach the banking apps. Without it, a modern phone is close to worthless to them.
Tipking is general household information, not professional advice. Test anything on a hidden patch first. Full disclaimer.
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