How to (hopefully) Find a Lost Phone

Just over a week ago I lost my new phone at LAX airport. horrible. The fact that I wouldn't be connected the whole trip, couldn't take pictures, and would have to buy another phone was depressing. So glad my friend had her phone. I borrowed my friend's phone and called my husband so he would look in his car and when he didn't find it, accused him of not looking well. Oh-vey, my poor husband. Having never been in this situation, I really did not know what to do. My friend and husband offered a few suggestions that were helpful and I thought it would be good to share here:

1. To the best of your ability, retrace your steps. Where were you when you last saw/ used your phone? Do you remember putting it away?
2. Borrow a phone and call your number. Maybe someone found your phone and will answer. Also, try Find My Phone. Great app to locate your phone if you've misplaced or lost it. Available on iTunes and Google Play.
3. Call anyone you might know to look for it at the last place you remember having it.
4. Check to see if anyone may have turned it in at the lost and found department in the location you last had it.
5. If you still can't find the phone, breathe and lock it remotely if possible.
6. If you have insurance, it may cover a good portion of the replacement cost. If you don't have insurance, call your carrier and find out what your options are for a replacement.

Unfortunately, my Find My Phone setting was not turned on so I couldn't use it to try to locate the phone. This just added to my stress. I didn't have insurance so the bottom line for me meant buying another phone. I had already figured out how many extra hours I would have to work to not feel the chunk of change a new phone would cost. So sad.
I did end up calling two of the lost and found departments at the airport. who knew there were multiple lost and found departments. The representative on the phone was friendly and said that they had 4 iPhones turned in the day I lost mine. my spirits lifted. She then told me that the phones are kept in a safe and that I would have to wait until her supervisor got back with the key. She put me on hold to find out what time the supervisor would be back. While on hold, the supervisor returned, she got the phones, and asked me to describe my phone and for the passcode. She tried it and it worked! They had my phone. Hooray!
When we arrived back to LAX I went to the airlines baggage claim office to be reunited with my phone. They told me that a passenger found it on the ground outside the departure terminal. Crazy. Anyway, I'm super grateful to the person that turned in the phone. I hope that something beautiful comes their way.
Have you ever lost your phone? Did you find it? If so, how?

xo, jen

note: something I never did until now is back up my phone. all my contacts and photos would have been lost had I not found it. backing up is always a good idea.