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Don’t lose heart if you lose your phone during travel
We carefully plan many things as we head out for business or leisure travel to experience a glitch-free journey. We have to book airline tickets, get the visa stamped, pick the right size baggage, among other things. And yet, we tend to forget planning for the essential device in modern-day life for everyone—our mobile phone!
Our dependence on the phone has grown exponentially and directly proportional to them becoming more intelligent by the day. Also, we depend heavily on them during travel. It helps us keep track of time, set alarms, find places, access our contact numbers, show travel e-tickets, pay for our meals, stay connected through chat & messengers, get some work done online, read news, use it as a translator and capture moments with pictures & videos. Phew! The list is endless. Remember the scene from the movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara‘, where Imran throws out Arjun’s phone from the car window at the beginning of their road trip in Spain? And then Arjun gets mad at him for it? And that was just in a movie!!
Now pause to think what would happen if, God forbid, you lose your phone, or it gets stolen during one of your journeys? Surely this thought would make you squirm in your seat, right? So, before you head out for your travel destination, take care of the following to safeguard yourself from such a mishap.
Knowledge is power
Know all your passwords, and update your account details before leaving. Also, have a backup email address to receive those annoying security codes. Bear in mind that logging in from a foreign computer usually entails answering security questions, and they helpfully (!) offer to text a code to your phone — which is gone.
Backup, backup, and always backup phone data
Back up the data on their devices as if you lose your phone from time to time. Else, you may never be able to recover the information on it. The habit of daily/weekly backups to the cloud and laptop will enable you to get back up and running quickly.
Use the ‘find-my-phone’ feature on your phone.
Activate the ‘find-my-phone’ feature available on both iPhone and Android to help recover a lost or stolen phone. You can even detect the phone’s location by logging into your Apple or Google account from another device. With this feature, you can play a sound from your phone.
Duh! Be discreet with your expensive phone.
As with all valuables, keep them out of plain sight. It is a good idea if you do not wave around your shiny new phone in public on your trips. It could be worth a month’s wages for someone and is likely to get stolen. And wherever possible, keep on your person or locked in a safe.
Remember the other phone you have and loved once? Take it with you if it still works.
Carry a spare phone. Having an extra phone is a great backup plan. It can save you from any sticky situation if you lose the phone, or it gets damaged by falling in the pool/sea.
Call & text message to self
Call and text on your number immediately once you realize your phone is gone. It is a quick way to check if someone has found it and wants to turn it in. You can use the phone of a travelling companion; else, ask the hotel front desk to use the phone.
It would help if you also texted or left a voicemail on the phone with your information and a number to call back on. Also, if it is just stuck in the couch cushions, you can locate it quickly.
Does my phone have a serial number?? Yes, note it down before you leave
It is worth reporting stolen phones to local law enforcement or Police, and you then have to provide them with your phone’s serial number. Therefore, it is essential to email this information to yourself made available on the original packaging for Apple and Android products every time you get a new device.
There you go. If you follow the above tips, you will not be as miserable as Arjun if you don’t get your phone dobara!
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