A fifth of travelers report being victims of smartphone snatching or loss during an international trip, but less than 5% of the world’s most experienced travelers have faced the same issue, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2025 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
Experienced travelers recognize the alarming trend of smartphone theft during travel and implement a variety of preventive measures to secure their devices while abroad.
“When traveling, your smartphone is more than just a device—it’s a necessity. Protect it, because losing it could mean losing control over your plans, finances, and security,” said Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and associate director of security for Global Rescue. “Avoid using your phone in crowded, congested areas. It’s best to use it indoors or in a secure location, and always stay aware of your surroundings,” Bush said.
According to the survey, keeping the phone hidden in public (43%) is the most popular method used by travelers for securing smartphones from mobile device snatchers. Using Face ID, a fingerprint, or a complex password (25%), ‘Find My Device’ and remote erase features (9%), and locking the SIM card (4%) are the next most common ways to protect your cell phone from theft.
“Never store your cash, ID, or credit cards in a phone wallet attachment. If your phone is lost or stolen, you lose everything at once,” Bush advised.
The least used methods are installing anti-theft software, encrypting phone data and using a phone leash (3%), obtaining a burner (throwaway) phone (2%), and removing banking and shopping apps (1%).
Smartphones are communication tools that also hold personal, financial, and sensitive data. When stolen, a thief can use the phone to access banking apps, email accounts, and social media profiles, putting travelers at risk of identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized transactions.
“Think about consequence management—if your phone is linked to two-factor authentication for email and financial accounts, losing it could lock you out of those essential services,” Bush said.
“Global Rescue surveyed more than 1,300 current and former members between January 21-27, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.
