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Secure ConfigMedium priority

About 15 minutes to complete

Set your phone up to erase itself if it's ever lost or stolen

Set your phone up so that if it is ever lost or stolen, you can erase everything on it from any other device. This takes a few minutes and could prevent serious data exposure.

Why this matters

If your phone or laptop is lost or stolen, the data on it — passwords, photos, documents, business files — is at immediate risk. Remote wipe lets you erase everything from any other device in minutes, before an attacker has a chance to access it. It costs nothing to set up and you will only ever use it in an emergency.

How to do it

  1. On iPhone: go to Settings → [your name] → Find My → Find My iPhone. Enable 'Find My iPhone' and 'Send Last Location.'
  2. On Android: go to Settings → Security → Find My Device and ensure it is turned on. Sign in to android.com/find to test.
  3. On a Windows laptop: go to Settings → Update & Security → Find My Device and turn it on. Requires a Microsoft account to be signed in.
  4. On a Mac: enable Find My Mac in System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Find My Mac.
  5. Write down the URL or steps to trigger a remote wipe so you can act quickly if a device is ever lost or stolen.

Need a more detailed walkthrough?

Our step-by-step guide explains each action in full detail, with confirmation steps and related tasks.

View full step-by-step guide →

Cyber Essentials framework

This task falls under the Secure Configcontrol, one of five areas assessed in the UK's Cyber Essentials scheme. Completing it counts toward your Cyber Essentials alignment. Create a free account to track your progress across all five areas.

Need step-by-step instructions? How to set up Find My Device on Android →

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