Losing a smartphone is no longer just about losing an expensive gadget. Your phone may contain photographs, private conversations, banking applications, saved passwords, emails, contacts and access to your social media accounts.

The good news is that modern smartphones include several tools that can help you protect your information even when the device is no longer in your hands.

1. Try locating the phone immediately

Android and iPhone devices provide built-in services that can help you locate a missing phone.

If the device is connected to the internet and location services are available, you may be able to see its approximate location, make it play a sound or mark it as lost.

If you believe the phone has simply been misplaced, this can help you find it quickly.

2. Lock the device remotely

If you cannot find the phone, remotely locking it should be one of your first priorities.

A strong screen lock already provides an important layer of protection, but remotely marking the device as lost can add additional restrictions and display contact information for someone who finds it.

3. Don't try to recover it yourself from a suspicious location

Location tracking can show where your phone is, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should go there yourself.

If the device appears to have been taken or is located somewhere unfamiliar, contact the appropriate authorities rather than confronting someone.

Your personal safety is more important than recovering the device immediately.

4. Contact your mobile operator

Your SIM card can potentially be misused if someone gains access to it.

Contact your telecom provider and ask them to block the SIM or issue a replacement. This can help prevent unauthorised use of your mobile number.

5. Protect your important accounts

Your smartphone may have access to email, social media and financial services.

Change passwords for particularly important accounts if you believe the device could have been accessed. Start with your primary email account because it is often used to reset passwords for other services.

Also review active sessions and sign out of the missing device where the service provides that option.

6. Contact your bank if necessary

If your phone contains banking or payment applications and you suspect someone may be able to access them, contact your bank immediately.

Review recent transactions and ask the bank what additional precautions are appropriate.

Don't wait until you notice an unauthorised transaction before taking action.

7. Beware of fake "we found your phone" messages

This is an important warning.

After a phone goes missing, criminals may send messages claiming that they have found the device and provide a link asking you to sign in or enter your password.

The goal may be to steal your account credentials.

Never enter your Apple Account, Google Account, banking password or verification codes into a link simply because someone claims to have found your phone.

8. Consider remotely erasing the phone

If you are confident that the phone will not be recovered, remote erase can be an important last-resort option.

However, understand the consequences before using it. Once the device is erased, some location and recovery features may no longer work in the same way.

Prevention is easier than recovery

The best time to prepare for a lost phone is before it happens.

Keep a strong screen lock enabled, turn on the built-in device-finding service, regularly back up important data and avoid storing passwords in easily accessible notes.

A smartphone can be replaced. Your personal information is much harder to recover once it has fallen into the wrong hands.