How to keep your smartphone safe at a festival

The wellies are on, the tunes are playing and it’s probably raining, which can only mean one thing – it’s festival season. Whether you’re rocking out in the thick of the crowd or just soaking up the atmosphere, the last thing on your mind should be worrying about keeping your tech safe.  

That’s where we come in with our handy phone safety guide, so you can spend more time having fun and less time trying to get a signal next to the stage. Now where did we put our camping chair… 

Keeping your smartphone safe starts before you even hit the festival site. Back up your data, check that your phone’s insurance covers loss or theft, and have a SIM PIN in place (this requires users to enter a unique code before accessing your phone). Remember to have your emergency contact information easily available and take note of your phone’s IMEI number, a unique 15-digit number that identifies a phone and can be used to block it.  

You can find your phone’s IMEI number by dialling *#06# or by the following methods: 

 iPhone: Settings, tap General and then IMEI/MEID 

Android: Settings, tap About Phone, followed by Status or Phone Identity 

While it might be convenient to keep your phone in your pocket at a festival, it’s also the easiest way to lose it (or worse, drop it down the Portaloo). Stash your phone away when you’re not using it and invest in a phone leash or lanyard to help you stay close to your device while you’re dancing the night away. Plus, accessorising with a cute wristwatch means that you don’t have to keep checking your device for the time so you don’t miss the start of your favourite band’s set.  

Remember: have fun but pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets are most likely to operate.  

You know how it goes: you’ve promised to meet your mates for the headline act, except they’re nowhere to be seen and to make matters worse, your phone powers down. D’oh!  

However, there are plenty of ways to help boost your phone’s battery life for the big weekend. Update to the latest software beforehand to maximise energy-saving tech and while you’re there, dim your screen brightness, close any unnecessary apps, turn off data when you don’t need it and turn on Low Power Mode (called Battery Saver on some Android phones).  

When you’re with your campmates, turn on your phone’s airplane mode to conserve your battery and avoid any unnecessary signal interference – leaving you free to take photos and videos so you can create treasured memories with your mates and your favourite musical acts. And if all else fails, you can always rely on a trusty power bank or a printed programme to make sure that you don’t miss any of the action.   

Did you know that we’ve come up with lots of innovative ways to improve our network, wherever you are? Whether you’re on your daily commute or in the middle of a muddy field, we’re committed to keeping you connected, which is why we’ve introduced “stealth” masts up and down the country to help give you more reliable coverage. You can check O2’s network coverage here, which will help you find the best spot to update your socials (or check in with mum and dad) without leaving the festival site.  

On top of that, enabling built-in tracking apps (such as Find My iPhone for iPhones or Find My Device for Androids) is a great way for friends to locate you in the middle of the crowd. Just remember to share your location with them – and have fun! 

Sometimes things don’t quite go to plan. If the worst should happen and your phone is lost or stolen, we have measures in place to help you get back on track. Just let us know within 24 hours (and the police if it’s been stolen) and we can block your device and send a new SIM for your existing number. Find out more about how to replace your phone or make a claim if you have phone insurance here. 

Published: 12 May 2025