Best way to deter pickpockets taking a phone.

I bring an old phone, get a SIM for it and make that for daily use. I tuck my current phone deep into my backpack. YMMV.

When I travel, I like to use a phone lanyard. Amazon has scads of them. That way, the phone is protected from accidental drops to concrete or in a water body, keeps it handy for a pic or navigation, and detours pickpockets, at least some.

I bought a Doorman Phone Lanyard for Amazon for $9.49. Sticker goes on back of your phone, attaches to a strong cord that clips into the inside of our purse. (My travel purse has a built in lanyard so I just used the sticker part of the set-up.)

I have a Bandolier lanyard and my husband has a small front pack that is very small/across the chest and perfect size for a wallet and phone.

Use a lanyard
Don’t walk around with your phone in your hand
Don’t set it down on table at cafe

Hello

My husband uses this Nite Ize Hitch phone anchor + tether.

https://www.rei.com/product/147938/nite-ize-hitch-phone-anchor-tether

He puts the loop thru his belt loop on his pants, hooks the loop onto itself (not sure I'm explaning that right, but basically like the photo shows of the person with it on her wrist) and then puts his phone in his front pocket. I use one also, except I attach a lanyard to the anchor.

Pretty easy to use for that purpose and sometimes we use the coiled tether in other ways also while traveling.

I use the belt holster below.

AH Military Grade Cell Phone Belt Holster
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VBDGD8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

1) put in a front pocket with a couple rubber bands around it (which create friction if anyone lifts it).
2) #1, plus put a pocket notebook or something similar securely fastened to the phone with the rubber bands. Then add a separate packet of tissues or something so no one can pull your phone out of a fully stuffed pocket.
3) when you walk around keep alert with a hand near the pocket with your phone.

We have been using Black Rapid camera and phone accessories https://www.blackrapid.com/all/phone-accessories/
I really like the wrist strap but will buy the lanyard for upcoming trip. Some you can purchase on Amazon. The other stuff is available on B&H. Wife uses the camera gear. great products.

I have no problem just keeping it in my front pocket.

I do think most people need to adjust habits. Seems a lot of people put it in their back pocket (mainly younger) hanging out, I wouldn't carry my wallet like that, so why a phone?

You also notice people holding their phones out in front of them, following them around, in a crowd or on a street corner, just sort of offering them up.

The other habit I see (guilty myself) is when you sit down at a table, you lay it on the table next to you. You can pretty much walk up to a restaurant with outdoor seating and identify the Americans by their phones sitting on the table, or constantly on their phones.

Basically treat your phone like your wallet. Don't do anything with your phone that you would not with your wallet. If you need directions or to look up something, get off to the side, out of traffic, pull out your phone, do what you need to do, then put it away and move on.

As a woman, I have a tether on mine that is also attached to the inside of my crossbody bag.
The phone case has no cards or money in it, just the phone.
I also bring my old phone and it’s cable in case I lose the current one.

If you carry a phone in your purse this product is best in my opinion.

Roberto da Firenze ⚜ I was thinking the exact same thing.

Tonight if you were to go to the local winebar down the street, maybe a fourth of the tables inside and out would have a phone resting on them. A different world.

EDIT: But you know what, to be fair, the locals have a support network and they dont need their phone to get home. That puts a totally different light on how you protect your phone.

IMO, don't take a newer phone, mine is the iPhone 12 mini and everyone knows it's vintage, which is fine with me! Personally, I would avoid small wallets where people put credit cards along with phones. And I have a front, zippered pocket where the phone stays. I try to move out of the way, or stand next to a building with hubby beside me while I take a picture. If you take common precautions and are aware of what's around you, you should be fine!

I also use the Nite Ize Hitch phone anchor and tether, securing the phone to my crossbody bag with an S-Biner.
I lock bag/backpack zippers using these S-Biners when on public transport or in crowded places.
https://www.rei.com/product/239078/nite-ize-s-biner-microlock-package-of-5

Pants with zippered pockets and put a safety pin through the hole in the zipper.

Women’s pants rarely have a front pocket deep enough for a phone. I keep mine in a zippered jacket pocket (if possible), in my small hip bag that I wear cross body or I use this one if I want my phone more accessible. It’s a less expensive version of the Bandolier.

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Crossbody-Lanyards-Adjustable-Shoulder/dp/B0D9LYW25W/ref=sr_1_4?crid=GX9Y86OAUCZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TOZHDNPmn-O61Bu6Z69ukBnFggbcEa_JFfAXIqVRGtw84P7c_V4iciZZNnwdXLTxW0PSRKwZykHWraAe5BY2V7o-yFF83PF--UJWfm6WLHGWyMnFmU97potjsJw7YX0Xmlx0GrArq4iNmi3vIFXBEbczol-xz-TU18Z5JaCi0cumEZ4mtPGU3rdcGdsNMprPVNMuA69U3MkGTrO351r7ckhu3aEZMdlros6M7Ou6VX0.IksN15psR4YyRO0KZmj8TdxFu54iAgxMQZK3bH9P4ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=leather%2Biphone%2B15%2Bpro%2Bcrossbody%2Bcase&qid=1788016107&sprefix=Leather%2Bcrossbody%2Bcase%2Bfor%2BiPhone%2B15%2Bpro%2Caps%2C303&sr=8-4&xpid=ddUoJgGBtadQp&th=1

Andrea, you made me go shopping…..

"Best," of course depends on what works for you. It's no good, for instance, anybody advising me to be aware of my surroundings --- not when I'm looking at an interesting doorknob or stray cat or something. I keep my phone either in a zippered vest pocket under my coat or in my little Pacsafe crossbody purse. And, luckily, since COVID, I now have an automatic reaction to anybody getting too close to me. I may, though, for my next trip which includes 2.5 weeks in Venice, use a wrist strap for my phone so it doesn't end up in a canal.

TTM, I really like the phone tether case thingy. I will say that I’ve not used the little wallet that’s attached. No reason other than I keep my wallet and cards more under wraps and more difficult to get to. I try to use my Apple Watch for Apple Pay whenever possible so that I don’t have to take my wallet or a card out of my purse.