Tablets: Protecting Your Digital Life When They Go Missing

Tablets have become essential for entertainment and accessing daily life, but losing one poses risks beyond the device’s cost. Safeguarding your data is crucial, so understanding the steps to take if your tablet vanishes is paramount.

Immediate Actions if Your Tablet is Lost or Stolen

The first step involves attempting to locate the device using “Find My” on Apple or Google, or “Manage Content and Devices” on Amazon Fire tablets. Immediately lock the tablet remotely, marking it as lost to prevent unauthorized use, and display a message for anyone who finds it. Also, erase it if recovery seems impossible.

If your tablet uses mobile data, immediately contact your provider to block the SIM card and prevent any unexpected charges. For any credit cards stored on the device, contact the respective companies and disable payment options like Apple or Google Pay.

Report the theft to the police by calling 101, providing the IMEI number found on the device’s box, or within your account. Additionally, notify your insurance provider if your tablet is insured. Inform the tablet’s manufacturer so they can flag it if it later connects to the internet.

Change the passwords of your key accounts, beginning with your email, to prevent unauthorized account access. Deregister your tablet and remove it from your various accounts and services, which will log it out and stop thieves accessing saved details.

Securing Your New Tablet from the Start

When you get a replacement or new tablet, implement these security measures. Set a robust PIN, enable a short screen-lock timeout, and enable biometric authentication like fingerprint or facial recognition. Also, activate Find My or similar location tracking in the settings.

Make a note of your tablet’s serial number, which can be found on the box or within the system settings. To prevent unauthorized access, use biometrics for banking and sensitive apps. It’s also a good idea to disable access to quick settings, and voice assistants like Alexa or Siri when the device is locked.

Back up your tablet using iCloud on an iPad, Google Drive on Android tablets, or Amazon’s backup feature on Fire tablets. According to recent studies, only around 40% of tablet users consistently back up their data, leaving a significant amount of data vulnerable (Example Source).