Ha ha, that's one solution. I use Google maps etc to find my way around cities. However, I do keep in mind that it could easily be snatched (although my four year old low end Samsung isn't going to be much of a prize).You see girls with screaming babies in buggies, phones held out, totally oblivious to everything else around them. Not difficult for someone to steal at all. I would suggest that anyone who spends all their time walking and talking should use earbuds but there seems to be a need to see someone's face, even though you probably saw them in person the day before.

Sometimes (especially when I venture to London) I need a map to show me where I am and where I want to go.

I understand that, but you weren't using a 'map', it was (could be) an expensive life-support system which happens to include a GPS device working as a map. Nobody used to bother snatching an AtoZ guide, did they ? :-)

Speaking as an ex-orienteer used to map reading, it is noticeable that constant exposure to portable electronic substitutes for maps (and other analogue things) is contributing to the steady loss of this skill in the younger generation.

I wasn't sure whether there was going to be any support from companies for anti theft measures. Glad to hear there is though. It's an easy win I would have thought. It will be very interesting to see what impact this has on phone thefts.

Edited by davecooper on 14/10/2024 at 16:40

Android should be rolling out the new theft detection lock shortly for devices running Android 10 or later, this should help discourage mobile phone theft as the device will be useless to the thief.

Thanks for that. I've just has a look on my Pixel 6a running Android 14 and it is indeed there under Settings>Google> All services>Theft protection turned off as default. I've turned some of them on!

One thing I always have is a SIM PIN as well to stop your SIM being useable in another phone giving access to SMS messages useable for potential financial fraud etc.

Edited by Big John on 15/10/2024 at 00:18

The phone is of little value to the thief, what is more valuable is the data.

A friend had a phone stolen when someone broke into her car, she didn't know for an hour or so.

From then on it is a well oiled machine,

The phone is hacked and within an hour it had been used to obtain hundreds of pounds in cash from a shop in a dodgy area of town about 4 miles from where she was (probably part of the machine), transfer thousands from her bank accounts, cancelled various insurance policies, messed with her pension, cancelled a holiday and ordered goods online.

i dont even underatsnd why peopel are obsessed with expensive phones anyway. I wouldnt go anything beyond 200

You can have an expensive phone without having to be obsessed with them - I use the camera on my phone a lot so pay more for one with a better camera but I am not obsessed with my phone in anyway.

I limit my risks of phone theft by [a] spending nothing, by using hand-me-downs from a teenage granddaughter (presently an iPhone-7) and [b] never using it anywhere except at home or in the car.

Pretty foolproof.

Less of a target for thieves. Not sure if this is a problem with Apple phones, but on Android phones (and obviously with the now defunct Windows phones), many systems and apps become unusable because of excessive hardware demands by the latest versions and built-in obsolescence meaning they won't work unless you have a much newer OS installed, which is limited by the hardware for the most part.

I tend to use my Nokia 620 (Windows Phone 8.1) for my 'out-and-about' (including on my bicycle) PAYG phone as its small, it still works fine for the most part (not IE) for the apps installed, and, for the moment, the 3G+ system still is compatible with most phone networks, unlike its predecessor my old 3410 (2G).

My 2020 Nokia 5.3 on Android 12 is far better for use (4G as well), but is huge in comparison (too big for many coat pockets),and how long will it work ok with all the apps - 2-3 years? Certainly more of a target for being stolen, as it looks much the same as any really expensive smart phone, despite being far cheaper. My 620 certainly cannot be.

I do take my phone out on the bike but keep it in one of the back pockets of a cycling top. I got a bit paranoid about it jumping out on a rough road or bump so found a way to secure it so this can't happen. I take the phone purely for emergencies as I have a Garmin for cycling related data. In the future, I may consider getting a cheap PAYG for cycling etc.

Blimey! I'd never put my phone in one of those pockets. I always bring (at least) my rucksack and put the phone in the zipped front pocket of it. I do still sometimes worry what would happen to it (as well as me) if had an 'off'.

I'm still reluctant to take my newer smartphone for that reason (the previous phone is probably worth peanuts now), even though I can use the non-mobile-data using setting for Google Maps and it has two SIM holders for each of my phone service providers.

Not sure I'd ever use the newer one as a bike satnav though, and the older phone's (free use, maps all on the phone) HERE Maps isn't set up to work in that way, more of a basic car satnav and for me to find my bearings if I'm lost and the paper maps aren't clear. Plus for emergency calls.

At least there's little chance in any of them getting nicked when I'm cycling, as I tend to steer clear of major towns / cities and run down / high crime areas, given I try to cycle in nice countryside areas for the scenery as much as the fresh air and exercise.