Oyster Card or Apple Pay/Wallet

Use your phone. I used my actual credit card.

Vote #2 for using your phone or your actual CC to tap in/out. Very easy even for someone like me who doesn't live where public transit is available.

I prefer my credit card to iPhone. Not that I'm concerned about theft of the iPhone, I just find it more awkward to use when also carrying a purse and occasionally additional bags - shopping bags or luggage.

I do remain quite conscious of where I am storing my CC. In and out of a particular zippered pocket of my purse or jacket depending on season. I've traveled to the UK and other tap and go countries using CC since the options first became available - no thefts or attempts at thefts, no losing or misplacing the CC, no dropping the CC, simply no problems on more trips than I could remember.

Phone. All the phone theft you hear about tends to be guys on scooters looking for distracted people with their heads down in their phones, oblivious to the world around them. And it happens in high traffic tourist areas and/or on busy roads.

Step up smartly to the barrier, tap your phone, then put it back in your pocket until it is time to tap out. Easy peasy!

A credit card works too, but I prefer my phone because it’s not as easy to drop or misplace.

:-)

If you decide to use your card, and are concerned about taking it in and out of your pocket or wallet, then simply get one of the covers people use for the Oyster cards, they never seem to lose their Oyster cards, so must work well.

Even better yet, just travel for the day with a very thin wallet, big enough for one card and a few Pounds Sterling, then simply pull out, tap, and back in your pocket.

There really are few to no incidences of theft at the turnstiles, usually more police/security presence there, plus cameras everywhere.

If you have an Apple Watch, use that. No fumbling for a phone, wallet, or card.

I just returned from a week in London. I used my phone. My phone was tethered to my cross-body baggalini purse, which only contained minimal cash and one credit card. I never felt insecure. Everything else was in a money belt under my clothing.

Use your phone or your credit card. Be sure to return your phone or card back in the exact same spot every single time. Make it a habit and you won't have a problem with lost or stolen cards or phone.

I agree with everyone else here. I haven't used an Oyster card in over a decade. In terms of phone thefts, the time to worry about this is when you are out on the street. If you take your phone out to consult a map or look something up, pull over to the side away from traffic and remain very aware of your surroundings. Taking it out to tap into the tube is much less risk- for one, everyone else is taking out their own phone or card- and as mentioned above ticket barriers are normally highly surveilled locations.

There are issues with thieves snatching phones on the streets but the chances of anyone snatching either a phone or a card at turnstiles on the tube are vanishingly low. There are lots of other people, there will be security cameras and plenty of staff around.

I still use my Oyster card as I can get a discount through my Senior Railcard but there is little point in buying a new one at a non refundable £10 if you don’t have one.

I use my phone. I wouldn't say there is a high risk of phone thefts in the context of tube stations. Or just use your credit/debit card if you don't want to have to take out your phone.

There is no right or wrong answer, just whatever works for you.
As a local in London I used an Oyster card. I know I am scatty so I don't want to be getting credit cards or my phone in and out of my bag, I am liable to lose them.
I keep my Oyster card in my coat pocket or outside pocket of my bag. It is registered so if I lose it I can just get a replacement.

Like Emma I use an Oyster Card. For me it’s convenient ( carried in an inside coat pocket ) in its own carrier which I bought at the British Library gift store years ago.

If I lost the Oyster I’d be upset. If I list a credit or debit card I’d be furious. Who needs the stress?