170,000 Phones Lost in Nepal Over Four Years, but Only 1 in 5 Are Recovered—Here’s How to Find Yours

Kathmandu: More than 170,000 smartphones were reported lost or stolen in Nepal over the last four years, with only 20% being successfully recovered, according to data from the Nepal Police.

From fiscal year 2076/77 to the end of Falgun 2081/82, a total of 170,658 smartphones were reported lost or stolen. Of these, just 35,176 devices, about 20.61%, were recovered. This means that, on average, only two out of every 10 missing phones in Nepal are found.

Even in the capital city, mobile phone theft, loss, and pickpocketing remain common. In the current fiscal year alone, 14,550 mobile loss complaints were filed in Kathmandu district, according to the District Police Office.

Among those, 7,063 phones were reported stolen, 4,717 were reported lost and 2,770 were lost through pickpocketing.

Police have managed to recover 4,098 phones so far, while 10,452 remain under investigation, said SP Apil Raj Bohora, spokesperson of the Kathmandu District Police Office.
Kathmandu’s recovery rate of 28% is slightly above the national average but officials note that not all cases of lost phones are reported. The data only reflects formal complaints filed at police offices.

How are lost phones tracked in Nepal

The search for lost phones is coordinated through the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS), operated by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).

To report a lost or stolen phone, users must submit a Lost/Stolen Device Registration form via NTA’s website. Once submitted, the police initiate the investigation process.

If the missing device is used with a new SIM card, NTA shares user data linked to that number with police to help identify and trace the individual using the device.
However, phones not registered in the MDMS system cannot be tracked, police clarified.

What to do after phone’s loss?

Google’s ‘Find My Device’ Tool: How It Works

Google’s Find My Device (previously called Find Hub) helps Android users locate lost phones and other smart devices even if they’re nearby but misplaced.

The feature uses a crowdsourced network of nearby Android devices, scanning via Bluetooth and sending encrypted location data to Google.

To enable this service:

• Ensure your Android device has a PIN, pattern, or password set.

• Bluetooth and Location is turned on.

• Choose between two location settings:

  • "With network in high-traffic areas only" (e.g. airports)

  • "With network in all areas" (both high and low traffic)

Android 8.0 and older users should also enable "Store recent location."

Google’s network can also track accessories like headphones or Bluetooth tracker tags using Fast Pair.

Steps to Use ‘Find My Device’:

1. Visit android.com/find or open the app.

2. Sign in with your Google account.

3. The app shows the last known or current location of your device.

4. You can use

   • "Play Sound" to ring your device for 5 minutes if nearby.

   • "Secure Device"  if you are far away or the device is stolen to lock it remotely and display a message.

   • "Erase Device" as a last resort to wipe all data permanently. This will result in permanent data loss of all the data not backed up. 

How to Turn Off Find Hub

If for any reason you don’t want to use the Find Hub feature and it’s currently active, you can disable it by following these steps:

1.Go to Settings and tap on Security.

2.Tap on Find Hub and toggle the switch to turn it off.

3.To stop your device from sharing its location, you’ll also need to disable location tracking.

• For this, go to Settings > Location and switch it off.

Registering a Lost Phone with NTA

While losing or having your phone stolen is common, the chances of getting it back are relatively low. However, with proper use of the MDMS (Mobile Device Management System) and other technologies, it’s possible to trace a lost phone.

The Importance of the IMEI Number

Every mobile phone has a unique identification number called the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This number is crucial when it comes to tracking a lost or stolen device.

You can find your IMEI number on the phone’s box or by dialing *#06# on the device. It's recommended to write it down and store it safely in advance.

If your phone goes missing, follow the steps below to report it to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA):

1. Visit the NTA's Lost Phone Report page by clicking here. 

2. Fill in all the required details.

3. Once you enter the IMEI number, the phone’s brand and model will automatically appear.

4. Select whether the phone is lost or stolen.

5. Enter the date the phone went missing.

6. Provide the district, local municipality, and ward number where the phone was lost or stolen.

7. Tap "Validate IMEI and Continue."

After this, you’ll be directed to a second page:

• Enter your email address.

• An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your email and enter it on the page.

Notify the Police

If you're in Kathmandu, submit a formal report to the District Police Office, Bhrikutimandap.
If you're outside Kathmandu, go to your nearest police station.

Once your report is filed, if someone uses your phone with a different SIM card, that activity will be tracked and reported to the police who will then proceed with the investigation.

Samsung & Apple Tracking Features

For Samsung Galaxy users Find My Phone feature can be useful. 

• Find My Mobile can be useful to back up data, lock your phone, and erase remotely.

• You can use it’s SmartThings Find to locate devices even offline using other galaxy devices. 

For iPhone users, it is important to configure a few key settings before your iPhone goes missing. If you do this it becomes much easier to locate the device and protect your personal data.

1.     Turn On Find My iPhone. This is the most important setting. Without activating it, you won’t be able to track your lost device.

2.     Go to: Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone. Toggle it On

3.     Enable Find My Network and Send Last Location

• Find My Network: This feature helps locate your iPhone even when it’s offline (turned off or not connected to the internet) by using nearby Apple devices in the network. It is highly secure and private.

• Send Last Location: When your iPhone’s battery is about to run out, this feature automatically sends its last known location to Apple.

Enable Stolen Device Protection on a Stolen iPhone

This is a critical security feature available in iOS 17.3 and later. It adds an extra layer of protection when your iPhone is outside familiar locations like your home or office.

Even if a thief knows your passcode, this feature prevents changes to important settings and passwords.

Key Features:

• Mandatory Face ID / Touch ID: Replaces the option to use a passcode for accessing sensitive data such as passwords or credit card details. Face ID or Touch ID becomes mandatory.

• Security Delay: Actions like changing your Apple ID password are delayed by one hour, after which Face ID or Touch ID must be used again for confirmation.

To turn it on:
Go to: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection and toggle it on.

What to Do Immediately If Your iPhone Is Lost or Stolen

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, take these steps right away:

1. Locate It Using Find My App

• Open the Find My app on another Apple device (like an iPad or Mac).

• Or, visit icloud.com/find from any browser and sign in with your Apple ID.

• If you're using Family Sharing, you can also view your iPhone’s location from a family member’s device.

2. Play a Sound

• If you think your phone is nearby, tap Play Sound in the Find My app. Your iPhone will emit a loud sound even if it’s in silent mode.

3. Put It in Lost Mode

This is the most important step to protect your device and data.

• It immediately locks your iPhone with your passcode.

• You can display a custom message and phone number on the lock screen, so anyone who finds it can contact you.

• Apple Pay cards on the device are automatically disabled.

To do this:
In the Find My app, select your device and choose “Mark as Lost” or “Activate”.

If You Can’t Recover Your iPhone? Here's What to Do

If you believe you won’t be able to recover your iPhone, follow these steps to protect your personal data:

1. Erase Your Device

This is your last resort, it permanently deletes all data and settings on your iPhone. You won’t be able to recover the data afterward.

To erase go to the Find My app or icloud.com/find and select “Erase This Device.”

If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage, do not remove your iPhone from Find My until your claim is approved. Removing it disables Activation Lock, which can allow a thief to use or sell the device.

Immediate Steps to Take When Your Android or iPhone Is Lost or Stolen

Losing your phone can be stressful, but taking quick action can help prevent major damage. 

Here’s what to do immediately:

Block Your SIM Card
Contact your mobile service provider (e.g., Nepal Telecom, Ncell) as soon as possible and request to block your SIM card. This prevents any misuse of your phone number.

Change Passwords for Important Apps
Immediately change passwords for critical apps like mobile banking, email, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information.

Notify Your Bank or Financial Institutions

If you had mobile banking or wallet apps on your phone, inform your bank right away and ask them to suspend your mobile banking service.
For digital wallets, block your SIM and get a new one issued, then reinstall the wallet app on another phone to regain access safely.

Inform Family and Friends

Let your family and close contacts know that your phone is lost. This helps prevent scammers from impersonating you through your number or social media to ask for money or personal details.

Do Not Attempt to Retrieve the Phone Yourself

Even if you are able to track your phone’s location using technology, do not go to the location alone to recover it. Instead, share the location with the police and request their assistance. In some cases, you can send a location tracking link to the person who found the phone to pinpoint its whereabouts safely.

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