How to Get Your Phone Back

Download Article

A step-by-step guide to getting back a confiscated, stolen, or lost phone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 23, 2024 References

Download Article

Talking to Your Parents

|

Retrieving a Stolen Phone

|

Finding a Missing Phone

|

Q&A

|

Tips

Whether your phone was confiscated by your parents, stolen by a stranger, or simply went missing, you're probably desperate to get it back. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to convince your parents to give it back. If your phone was lost or stolen, recovering it might be a bit trickier, but we've got some tips to help you.

Quick Guide to Getting Your Phone Back

Approach your parents and apologize. Ask what you need to do, then fix the problem to get your phone.
Report a phone theft to the police, alert your phone service provider, and use a tracking app if possible.
Call your lost phone, retrace your steps and check where you usually put it. Ask people if they’ve seen it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Talking to Your Parents

Download Article

Don't try to talk to your parents about your phone when they're heading out the door. Instead, wait until they're free to speak to them. Stay calm as you plead your case and avoid being disrespectful or rude.
Tell your parents how sorry you are for whatever you did that got your phone taken away. This might not work, because they could think you are just saying it to get your phone back, but it's certainly worth a try, especially if you have made a mistake you cannot correct. Tell them what you plan on doing differently in the future. Express yourself clearly and politely.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Give good reasons why you need your phone back. If you just tell them you want to talk to your friends, they probably won't give you your phone back. Try to come up with a few reasons why you actually need your phone.
- You might tell them someone is texting you the math assignment or that you want to call a classmate for help. However, if you're lying about needing the phone for schoolwork, your parents will probably find out, which could land you in even more trouble.
- Remind your parents that the phone is important for your safety. Ask them what would happen if they needed to reach you in an emergency and you didn't have your phone.
If there's no timeline for your punishment or you're not sure what will get your parents to give your phone back, ask them. Make suggestions as to how you can improve your behavior in the future if they do not have any ideas.^{[2]
X
Research source}
If they are trying to get you to clean your room, come home on time, or do something else, follow their rules and do what they ask. This will show your parents that you are sincerely sorry and are making active efforts to improve your behavior.^{[3]
X
Research source}
If it is too late to correct the problem, try to make up for it. Clean a room and do a good job of it. Do your homework without complaining. Try to choose something to do that will demonstrate that you have learned your lesson.
7
Wait it out, if all else fails. Let your friends know to contact you some other way instead. Your parents will be impressed by your patience and maturity, and you could get your phone back sooner than you expect.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Ask for a time limit on the punishment. Then, remind your parents when the time is up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Retrieving a Stolen Phone

Download Article

If someone has stolen your phone, do not try to chase or follow them. You never know if they could be concealing a weapon. Write down all the information you can about the person or their vehicle.
2
Call the police. Let the local authorities know that your device has been stolen and give them all the information you have about the incident. It is best to let the professionals deal with stolen property, especially since you may be dealing with dangerous criminals.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Respect the limits of the police, as they may not be able to recover your phone, but they will try their best.
Call your phone company and let them know what happened. They can put a hold on your account so that the phone cannot be used under your name and funds.
If you have an app such as "Find My Phone," you may be able to see your device's location in real-time. Tell the police officers you're working with about the app and give them the location so they can recover the phone. You can also ask your phone company if they are able to track the phone's location.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding a Missing Phone

Download Article

Use another phone to dial your phone number. Surprisingly, if your phone is on, you may find that it isn't very far from you. Have a friend help you by going into various rooms to listen for the phone's ring or vibration.
Do you often set your phone down on the counter, leave it in your purse, or keep it in your car? Carefully search through your home and vehicle, making sure to check places where you often leave your phone.
Try to remember where you last had the phone, and go back to the places you have recently been. If you had been at a bar the previous night, call the bar and ask about any recovered devices, for instance.^{[6]
X
Research source} Check your nearest lost-and-found and ask the customer service employees or security at stores and businesses you recently visited if any phones were turned in.
Somebody you know could have recognized the phone as yours and picked it up, or could have seen where you last used it. Talk to people you were with when you last had your phone to see if they have any idea where it could be.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

My mom said she wants me to be more responsible to get my phone back. What can I do?

Lorena Lease

Community Answer

Find your mom when she's in a good mood. Make sure beforehand that the laundry is done, your room is clean and organized, and all your chores are finished. Then tell your mom that you did your chores and ask for your phone. Remember to say please. If she says no still, sit down and talk to her and ask her why she thinks you shouldn't get your phone back, then go from there.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 96 Helpful 301
Question

What is wrong with me if I make the wrong choices without even knowing it?

Community Answer

There is nothing wrong with you. It's possible you are not taking all the facts or possible outcomes into consideration before choosing. What's important is to learn from your mistakes. And if you're not sure what to do in a particular situation, talk it over with someone wiser and more experienced.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 97 Helpful 118
Question

What do I do if I failed a test and they will only give me my phone back if I pass the test next time? The test only comes around once a year.

Community Answer

Promise that you will study hard and retake the test. Perhaps you could (calmly and respectfully) try to compromise. Maybe they could let you use the phone for an hour a day if you spend 2 hours a day studying? If they're still angry about you failing the test, wait a while for them to calm down before you try to negotiate.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 167 Helpful 92

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Set up the 'Find My Phone' application and turn your location services on so you can easily find your phone if you ever lose it again.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Set a passcode for your phone. This will prevent potential thieves from unlocking the phone and accessing your contacts and other personal information. Choose a complex passcode, keep it to yourself, and memorize it.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If certain restrictions drag on indefinitely, stay polite in your interactions. You may need patience if waiting for reconsideration. But respectfully remind them if a decision seems overly prolonged. Overall communication and cooperation are key.
After a period of restrictions, it's important to continue exhibiting good decision-making even if you feel frustrated. Handling things calmly shows growth. Explain respectfully why you deserve to have certain privileges reinstated.
I understand having your phone taken away can be difficult. Keep focusing on improving your behavior and showing you can be responsible. Over time, demonstrating positive changes will help rebuild trust.
If you make a mistake, sincerely apologize then back it up by consistently making better choices, not just promises. Your parents are likely to notice real efforts at improvement over time.
When time is limited, prioritize important tasks first to demonstrate you can balance recreation with responsibilities. Gradually having rights returned can motivate continued progress.
Consider broaching the topic of regaining privileges when you've had a success, like acing a test, and highlight the progress you've made since.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!