What steps to take when phone is stolen abroad?

[biscuits99]

I'm just trying to plan ahead in case I ever get my iPhone stolen (I'm on a monthly SIM only contract).

Let say it is stolen when I'm abroad, I'm fairly sure I could use another device to lock and wipe it without much problem.

But to get back up and running, could I just go into a shop and buy a new iPhone, and a blank SIM?

If so, can I then call O2 in the UK to somehow get my number ported to that new blank foreign sim?

I'm assuming I couldn't do that online, and would need to call O2?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@biscuits99 

Process here Guide: Lost or Stolen O2 Device? - How to Report it 

You won't get your O2 number on anything but an O2-UK sim.

[Bambino]

@biscuits99 See this: Use Stolen Device Protection on iPhone – Apple Support (UK)

[biscuits99]

Thanks, this is enabled. So I'm not too worried about dealing with the theft, more how to get up and running again.

[biscuits99]

Thanks. Does this mean I wont be able to get up and running at all until I got back to the UK?

What about if I took a £10 O2 PAYG SIM with me on holiday, could they convert that remotely to use my number?

I could have sworn years ago O2 had a webpage where you could type in a reference number on a SIM card and it applied your number to the card - I may well be mis-remembering though.

[Enlli]

Don't think that can happen as if you move from PAYG to Contract in the UK it will be a new SIM card, much less chance when abroad

[MI5]

@biscuits99 

There’s a chance if you’re on 360 that you could activate an eSIM through your myo2. 
This will only work if you’re on 360 and you buy an esim compatible phone.