You can tick off this task if you
Simply switch off your phone in everyday life if you have to hand it in or leave it behind. Think of the locker in the swimming pool, sauna or gym, for example. But you should also be able to switch off your device quickly, especially at airport checks or when crossing borders. This is the only way to ensure that your data is really secure when encryption is activated. Think about traveling to the USA, for example, where authorities such as ICE may spontaneously check a smartphone.
If you are a migrant, you should definitely switch off your phone before you have contact with the authorities or the police. This measure will help you to protect your identity and origin. Only by switching off your device is a possible encryption really effective.
If you are politically active, you should always switch off your device before contacting the police. If contact is imminent, you should be able to do this very quickly. E.g. at demonstrations. Encryption is only really effective if it is switched off. Switching it off is therefore an important step to protect yourself and your comrades.
Switch off the phone? What's so difficult about that? Try to imagine a stressful situation: Your fingers may be a little shaky and you are unfocused and agitated. In addition, the power button on some smartphones has several functions. You press it too long and the flashlight or camera are activated. In addition, the switch-off menu often contains numerous other buttons such as "Emergency", which are often highlighted in red and can tempt you to click when you are stressed.
For example, set a timer on your device to simulate stress and switch off your device before you hear the alarm.
Even if your phone is encrypted, professional mobile forensic software such as Cellebrite can access it via USB. Data could be extracted or spyware could be installed. Because as long as it is switched on, all data is decrypted. Your device is then in the so-called 'After First Unlock' status (AFU).
Encryption is only really effective when it is switched off. Your phone is then in the so-called 'Before First Unlock' status (BFU). It is extremely unlikely that unwanted access to the data can take place without the correct password, pattern or biometric feature if the device is encrypted and switched off.
Therefore, be sure to switch off your phone before you give it into someone else's hands! If you want to be on the safe side, you can also attach a killswitch to your phone. This allows you to quickly remove the battery in dangerous situations. You can find more details about this idea in the further information.