Anti theft cell phone accessories

I used to use a phone wristlet, which is a folding case, sometimes with credit card slots, and a wrist strap. I didn't like having my credit cards waving around when I was taking pictures. So I switched to an Otterbox case and bought a separate wrist strap that loops through one of the openings at the lower edge of the phone case.

The phone wristlets are specific to each phone type, so just search Amazon for a wristlet for your phone.

For the last three years, I have used the Nite Ize Hitch Phone Anchor and Tether for my trips to Europe. It has worked great. I have a travel purse that has a secure outside pocket that has a link that I connect the tether to. It keeps my phone safe and allows me enough length to grab my phone to look at it while traveling. At night, I spin the dial on the connection to open the link to take the phone off the tether so I can charge my phone. I did not use the adhesive to attach the tether to my phone case because it allows me to replace my phone or case and still be able to use the tether. I splip the attachment to my case and then thread the loop through the opening for charging my phone. The package has installations instruction.

I always get compliments on it so that I now give it as a gift to friends and family traveling. We all love it. Here is the link at REI
https://www.rei.com/product/147938/nite-ize-hitch-phone-anchor-tether It can also be found at Amazon. My tether is clear color but I think only the black is available.

I don’t use a wrist connection but found the crossbody lanyard very convenient, secure and easy. I’ve used it on 3 European and 1 NYC trip. If you search Hotemia crossbody lanyard it will pop up. Amazon has it for 7.99.

I'm unclear why people believe cell phones are more at risk of being stolen in Europe than in the US. Not a criticism; simply trying to understand the reasoning.

I use my wrist strap at home and when traveling. More for dropping my phone than anything, but also a a theft deterrent in some situations.

My risk of either is greater when I'm pulling my phone out hundreds of times for photos or to pay for transit or meals. I do those things far more frequently - and in far more crowded situations, or situations when I'm distracted with luggage or sightseeing - while I'm traveling. My wrist strap is just the normal way that I use my phone, including everyday use at home.

I’m rarely on public transportation at home and not near as distracted by my surroundings at home so keeping my cellphone secure is just not the same concern as when I travel abroad.

Thanks for those last two responses. It now makes perfect sense to me, though I'll continue to just hold my phone in hand or carry it in my pants pocket.

I'm unclear why people believe cell phones are more at risk of being
stolen in Europe than in the US. Not a criticism; simply trying to
understand the reasoning.

It isnt necessarily that the risk is higher (its probably lower where I live); its really about the inconvenience being greater if it does happen. Thats true with a lot of things when you are out traveling.

Different threshiolds for different people. I have a flip phone so it fits fairly deeply in my front pocket. I have gotten in the habbit of when I get on public transportation, if its crowded, I put my hand in my pocket that has the phone. I am comfortable with that.

I suspect a lot of what is imagined to be theft is really just loss. Either it fell out or it got left on a table someplace. That can be avoided by being in the habbit of always putting it away in a place that is secured by a zipper or a deep pocket.

But nothing wrong with a laynard if thats what feels good. But I do remember decades ago the wife of a business associate of my father was sitting in a outside table in Rome, a motorcycle went by, they reached out and grabbed her purse. Fortunately the long strap was around her neck. Unfortunatley the strap wrapped around her neck, yanked her out of her seat and dragged her 20 feet before the thief let go. That and more accidential situations is why many laynards have break points built intto them.

I use a neck lanyard, with the phone sitting in my shirt or jacket pocket if I have one. So it doesnt dangle invitingly, and is still secure.