Lance Whitney/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Phone theft is on the rise.
- There are ways you can protect yourself.
- We also cover what to do if you’re a victim.
My wife and I like to travel throughout the year. We sometimes venture to unfamiliar or offbeat places, both in the US and abroad. Naturally, we bring along our smartphones to snap photos and videos, get travel directions, and search for information on local attractions.
But our phones can also be tempting targets for thieves lurking nearby. That’s especially true if we’re focused on taking a photo or following walking directions and aren’t paying attention to the people around us.
Also: The 7 gadgets I never travel without (and why they make such a big difference)
The FCC said in June that smartphones are valuable to thieves due to their high resale value and the lucrative personal information they contain. Phone theft has been on the rise, especially in popular cities such as New York, London, and Rio de Janeiro, according to a 2025 report from the mobile industry group GSMA.
The Guardian reported in June 2025 that 80,000 phones were stolen in London in 2024, up a quarter from 64,000 in 2023. This past July, police in Rio de Janeiro launched a special operation in which they arrested 53 phone thieves and recovered 453 stolen phones in just one day, said the Rio Times.
If you’re ever in a vulnerable situation when traveling, there are ways you can protect your phone from being pilfered by a nearby thief. Here are a few of the measures I take and how you can use them to safeguard your phone as well.
1. Connect your phone to a strong lanyard
Holding my phone loosely in my hands can be an open invitation for a fast and sly thief to snatch it. To better secure my phone, I attach it to a strong lanyard that hangs around my neck. These typically work by inserting a small plastic tab between your phone and your case. The tab has a hook that then connects to another hook on the lanyard. But some lanyards are better than others, so you don’t want to skimp here.
Also: Why I travel with 3 different portable power stations (and can’t get out of the habit)
My wife and I both use Icycay lanyards that I purchased from Amazon. These are built with high-quality straps and hooks designed to prevent a thief from snapping them. Priced anywhere from $12 to $25, they also come in different designs and colors. Keeping your phone on a lanyard also lets you carry it hands-free, a benefit if you don’t want to keep putting your phone away and then taking it out again.
Keeping your phone in a back or even side pocket can be risky, especially if the pocket is large and within easy reach of a sneaky pickpocket. For that reason, try to safeguard your phone when you store it on your person. I sometimes wear pants with zippered pockets, so I can keep the phone more secure. You can also hide it in a zippered jacket pocket or coat. The summer months are more challenging since we jettison our jackets and sport short pants. But even here, I wear short pants with buttoned or strapped pockets.
Also: If you’re a hiker, this is the lightweight power bank I recommend packing
You can also use a small, zippered pouch to keep your phone hidden away. And if you want to go the extra mile, consider an anti theft sling pack. Designed to hold mobile phones and other small items, these wrap around your waist or chest and are made of durable material that can’t easily be cut or sliced open.
Show more
If you own an Apple Watch, you can keep your iPhone in your pocket and use your watch for a host of tasks. I’ll often search for walking or mass transit directions on my phone, put it in my pocket, and then turn to my Apple Watch to follow the directions. I can also use my watch to make and receive phone calls, respond to texts and emails, access my calendar, and view the latest weather forecast. Of course, I still need my phone to take photos and videos, but otherwise it’s safe and secure in my pocket.
Show more
This tip seems like a no brainer. But how often do you hold your phone loosely in one hand as you walk about? A sly thief could grab it or knock it from your hand. If you’re not actively using the phone, keep it stored away in a pocket or on a lanyard.
Also: What happened when I brought a Coros smartwatch on a fly-fishing trip
If you are actively using your phone to take pictures or follow directions, grip it with both hands and use your thumbs to control it. Alternatively, hold it firmly with one hand wrapped around the edges and use your other hand to work with it. Further, keep the phone close to your chest, especially in crowded areas. The idea is to avoid giving crooks an easy and obvious target.
Show more
The final tip is the most important. Are you ever texting or talking on your phone and not paying attention to what’s around you? You’re essentially announcing to thieves that your phone is up for grabs.
Always be aware of your surroundings. That’s especially vital in crowded spots where crooks know how and when to make off with someone’s phone. Remember to always look around you. If you’re using earbuds, remove one or turn off noise cancellation so you can hear nearby sounds. The key is to always be alert and never so engrossed in your phone that you put yourself and your expensive device at risk.
Show more
If a thief ever does steal your mobile phone, there are a few measures you can take.
- iPhones and Android devices both offer theft protection options that can help you better secure your phone. With his feature enabled, thieves will have a much harder time gaining access to your phone.
- iPhones and Android devices both provide a Find My tool to help you locate a stolen or lost phone. Make sure this option is enabled even when your phone is turned off.
- Save your phone’s IMEI number. If your phone is ever stolen, your provider or even the police can use the IMEI number to try to track it down and disable it.
- Use a strong passcode. Beyond protecting your phone with facial or fingerprint recognition, use a strong and unique PIN with at least six digits, preferably eight.
- Back up your device. You can always replace a stolen phone with a new one. But you can’t replace the photos, files, or other important information on it without a backup.
Show more
Want to follow my work? Add ZDNET as a trusted source on Google.
