How to disable your digital wallet if you lose your phone

For Android users, the first step is to mark the phone as lost using Find Hub. Sign into your Google account, select the device, and choose "Mark as lost." This will log out your Google account and remove all cards from Google Wallet. You can also display a message on the lock screen with a contact number to help a good Samaritan return the device. If you cannot access your Google account, Remote Lock at android.com/lock allows you to lock the phone by entering your phone number and security information. Samsung Galaxy owners can use SmartThings Find to lock their phone and suspend Samsung Wallet transactions by default.

iPhone users should use the Find My app to enable Lost Mode, which locks the device and prevents access to Apple Pay. If you recover the phone and re-authenticate, your Wallet contents will be restored. To remove cards entirely, go to Settings on another Apple device, select your name, choose the lost device, and select "Remove Items" under Wallet & Apple Pay. The same can be done by signing into your Apple Account on the web.

While your phone is missing, check the security settings of your Google, Apple, or Samsung accounts to see if an unauthorized person has signed in. Contact your bank and card issuers to freeze the digital versions of your cards, which is more convenient than canceling the main card since you can re-add them later. As a last resort, you can factory reset your phone, but note that remotely resetting an Android device prevents you from tracking it afterward, while an iPhone keeps Find My enabled for tracking.

Engadget reminds that digital wallets are protected by your phone's existing security, including PIN and facial recognition, making them both convenient and secure.