5 April Posted at 7:39 PM IST
With smartphone thefts increasing rapidly, users are turning to innovative solutions to safeguard their devices. In India, the scale of the issue is significant, with estimates suggesting that between 50,000 and 600,000 mobile phones are lost or stolen every month. Since May 2023, over 5 million devices have reportedly been registered on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a government-backed system designed to block and track lost phones.
Amid these concerns, a method using Apple’s Shortcuts app has gained attention as a potential way to enhance device recovery efforts. This approach allows users to set up a personal automation triggered by a specific message keyword such as “lost” or “find.”
Once configured, the automation can execute a sequence of actions automatically. These may include enabling Low Power Mode, capturing an image using the front camera, and retrieving the device’s current location. The goal is to collect useful information about the device’s surroundings without requiring manual input.
Users can also configure the system to send this data—such as location details and captured images—to a trusted backup number. This allows the device owner to receive updates in near real time.
However, the effectiveness of this method depends on several factors, including device settings, permissions, and iOS security restrictions. Network availability can also impact how and when the data is transmitted.
Experts caution that users should be mindful of privacy and legal considerations when using such features. Capturing images or tracking data must comply with applicable laws and should only be used for legitimate personal recovery purposes.
Importantly, this automation should not replace official tools like Apple’s “Find My iPhone,” which are specifically designed for secure and reliable device tracking.
As mobile theft continues to pose challenges, combining official tools with smart usage of built-in features can improve the chances of recovering lost devices while maintaining user safety and compliance.
