New Delhi — Amid the rising number of mobile theft and loss cases across the country, a positive trend has begun to take shape. Over the last four months, the recovery of stolen and lost mobile phones has shown significant improvement. Between August and November 2024, coordinated efforts by state police forces and digital tracking platforms helped thousands of citizens get their lost devices back.
During this period, the national mobile recovery rate improved by 31.71%, marking the strongest jump recorded in recent years. The country’s average recovery rate stands at around 27%, but several states have performed notably better. Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Bihar and Jharkhand are among the top performers, both in terms of volume and efficiency.
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Overall, more than 1.66 lakh mobile phones were traced and returned during these four months. Uttar Pradesh topped the list in absolute numbers, recovering over 17,600 phones, the highest among all states.
Why Mobile Phone Recovery Is Challenging
Recovering a stolen mobile phone is far more complex than tracing most other stolen items. Phones are often stolen in one city but become active in another state within a few days.
For instance, a device stolen in Delhi might be found operational in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam or a remote town in Uttar Pradesh.
This interstate movement makes the recovery process cumbersome. Even when the location of the device is traced through IMEI monitoring or digital systems, the police must coordinate with the local authorities in the state where the phone becomes active. Deploying teams, completing paperwork, and executing the recovery consume both time and resources.
Experts say another hurdle is the market for second-hand or stolen devices. Many people unknowingly — and sometimes knowingly — keep or buy stolen phones. Legally, this comes under the offence of possessing stolen property, making public awareness essential.
State Performance: UP Leads in Numbers, Uttarakhand Tops in Percentage
According to official data from August to November, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of recoveries with 17,676 phones traced and returned to owners. The state has strengthened its technical teams and interstate coordination, contributing to its strong performance.
In terms of recovery percentage, Uttarakhand emerged as the best-performing state, with a remarkable 72.26% recovery rate — the highest in the country.
Delhi also posted a strong performance, recovering 35.41% of reported devices.
Jharkhand recorded 31.25% and Bihar 27.90%, showing gradual but consistent improvement.
Recovery Figures from Five Major States
| State | August | November | Phones Recovered | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 42,227 | 59,903 | 17,676 | 41.86% |
| Uttarakhand | 2,551 | 4,395 | 1,844 | 72.26% |
| Delhi | 9,957 | 13,483 | 3,526 | 35.41% |
| Bihar | 4,627 | 5,918 | 1,291 | 27.90% |
| Jharkhand | 1,526 | 2,003 | 447 | 31.25% |
Keeping a Stolen Phone Is a Crime
Police officials emphasise that anyone who finds a lost or stolen phone must not keep it. Many assume that keeping a found device is harmless, but legally it falls under Section 411 — possession of stolen property.
Such phones must be immediately handed over to the nearest police station to avoid legal consequences.
The Road Ahead: Technology and Coordination to Drive Faster Recovery
Digital tracking systems, IMEI-based surveillance, centralised databases and stronger coordination between state police units have helped accelerate mobile recovery.
Experts believe that if the current momentum continues, mobile recovery across India could reach new highs in 2025, offering relief to millions of phone users.
