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Theft Alerts for Android devices

Theft Alerts is a premium feature with AT&T Mobile Security Plus. It provides you with the information needed to recover your Android device if it’s stolen.

Learn about Theft Alerts for AT&T Mobile Security

If your Android® device is stolen, the Theft Alerts1 feature included with AT&T Mobile Security Plus2 provides information you need to recover your device. AT&T Mobile Security will send an email to let you know when one of the following actions has been taken on your device:
  • Multiple failed passcode attempts in a row
  • Your SIM card has been removed or replaced
  • Airplane Mode has been enabled
  • Your device has been powered off

Theft Alerts is only available with AT&T Mobile Security Plus and on HD voice enabled Android smartphones.

Set up Theft Alert notifications
You’ll need to provide a valid email address for AT&T Mobile Security to send you information when potential theft activity is detected on your device.

You can set up Threat Alert notifications 2 ways:
  • Enter your email into the screen during app set-up and onboarding flow.
  • Select the Theft Alert option within the app at any time.

If you haven’t entered an email address, you’ll get a Missing email address notification. Simply type your email and select Continue.

Operating System (OS) Permissions
The Theft Alert feature of AT&T Mobile Security must have application permissions assigned. This gives it access to parts of the OS related to personal data and system information. If you deny these associated permissions, many app features will not work as intended.

You can find a list of the permissions and more details, under AT&T Mobile Security's Terms & Conditions att.com/mobilesecurityeula.

Customize your alerts

With Theft Alerts enabled, the app will email you with a notification when an alert is triggered. You can choose which alerts to enable:
  1. Open the AT&T Mobile Security app.
  2. Select Theft Alerts.
  3. Tap the slider next to each alert you want to enable. If the slider is blue, you’ll receive that alert.

Note: Your device needs to have a pattern lock, pin lock, or password lock enabled for Multiple failed passcode attempts to function.

Test your Multiple failed passcode attempts alert
Enable the following features & settings:
  • Multiple failed passcode attempts from the Theft Alert setting
  • Enable the security lock screen feature

To test the Multiple failed passcode attempts alert, put in an incorrect:
  • PIN
  • Password
  • Pattern lock three to five times

Each failed attempt must include a minimum of four numbers, four letters, or four dots in the pattern.

Test your Theft Alerts
  1. Open the AT&T Mobile Security app.
  2. Select Theft Alerts > Send me a sample Alert. You’ll receive an email with the device's location & photo in just a few minutes.

Not receiving your alerts, photos, or location

If you expect a Theft Alert email but don’t get one, check your spam or junk folder to make sure that emails from AT&T Mobile Security aren’t ending up in that folder.

If you have an issue viewing the email:
Make sure you have enabled your email to display images.

  • Open the email in a different browser.
  • Open the email from a desktop computer.
  • If the picture appears all black, it’s possible that it was taken in insufficient lighting.


Note: If the email is deleted from your Inbox AT&T Mobile Security isn’t able to send a duplicate.

No photo or location in the email alert
Sometimes we’re unable to capture a photo or the location of your device in time before the email is sent.

No Theft Alert email when device powers off
Every operating system behaves differently when it comes to how they shut apps down when the phone is powered off. Sometimes this means that we don’t capture a photo or the location of your device in time before the phones OS shuts down. Notifications will not be triggered until another Theft Alert event occurs.

If you have any questions or need assistance, get help with the Mobile Security app.

Suspend wireless service if your phone has been stolen
If your phone has been stolen, you may want to suspend your service so that you don't incur any unwanted charges. To learn how to suspend your service, go to suspend wireless service and block your device.

See all important details

Last updated: April 29, 2025

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