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Did you lose your iPhone or iPad? Here’s exactly what you need to do to find it

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:47PM EST

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When it comes to your smartphone or tablet, there is absolutely nothing worse than the feeling you get when you realize your device is no longer by your side. First, a moment of sheer terror causes you to freeze in place. Then panic sets in and the frantic rush to retrace your steps and think of where you might have left your device makes accurately retracing those steps incredibly difficult.

But it doesn’t have to be such a horrible experience.

Longtime iPhone and iPad users are likely familiar with Apple’s iOS device recovery features, but you would be shocked to learn how many people don’t know about these features or simply don’t bother to set them up.

We can’t stress this enough: Configure the recovery features on your iPhones and iPads, people.

Via The Loop’s Dave Mark, we’re pointed to a nice quick guide from Apple Toolbox that explains exactly what you should do if your iPhone or iPad is ever lost or stolen.

The simple guide walks users through the process of entering “Lost Mode,” which allows you to remotely lock your iPhone or iPad and display a message on the screen. For example, you write out a message that includes your phone number and offers a reward to anyone who finds your device and returns it to you.

Lost mode will also track your device and show you its location on a map.

But once again… none of Apple’s great iOS device recovery features are useful at all if you don’t configure them when you first set up your device. A few seconds when you first buy your phone or tablet can save you hundreds of dollars down the road.

Apple Toolbox’s guide can be found by clicking through the link below in our source section.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.