Can I use a iPhone I found?

Updated on


Make Contact or Hand It In. If you find a lost iPhone, Activation Lock will prevent you from using it if it's protected by Apple's Find My service. It's essentially a paperweight for as long as you have it in your possession. So don't expect to use an iPhone you've found.

Is it legal to keep an iPhone you found?

If the owner of the property does not claim it within 90 days, then the finder can keep it. If your state has similar laws, you likely can keep the phone you found as long as you turn it in to the police first.

Can I reset an iPhone I found?

Apple recommends users reset a found iPhone using iTunes partly because it not only removes the settings and information on your iPhone but it will also install the latest version of iOS automatically.

Can someone use my iPhone if they find it?

So long as the stolen iPhone is still listed as a device in your Find My iPhone app, it cannot be unlocked and used until your Apple ID and password have been entered or until the iPhone has been removed from your Find My iPhone account.

Is it possible to unlock a stolen iPhone?

Someone can also unlock a stolen iPhone with some professional iPhone unlocking tools. These unlocking software are designed to help users who forgot their iPhone passcode get into the locked phone. Therefore, a locked iPhone can be unlocked through that.

Can I reset an iPhone I found?

Apple recommends users reset a found iPhone using iTunes partly because it not only removes the settings and information on your iPhone but it will also install the latest version of iOS automatically.

Do police track stolen iPhones?

can the police trace a iPhone or recover it by taking the serial number? No, the police cannot trace your iPhone by the serial number. In fact, they can't trace it at all (unless it's turned on and they have court order to get information from your carrier something they would only do if someone's life were in danger).

Can robbers turn off Find My iPhone?

And that's all before they physically steal the device. From there, a thief could use the passcode to change the device's Apple ID, turn off “Find my iPhone” so their location can't be tracked, and then reset the recovery key, a complex 28-digit code intended to protect its owners from online hackers.

Can a found iPhone be tracked after factory reset?

So yes, even after doing a factory reset, it can still be tracked. If you are the owner, you can remotely erase the phone to keep your data from being stolen and you will still be able to find your device using Find My.

Can Apple erase stolen iPhone?

Use the Find My app to erase an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, or Mac. In order to remotely erase a device, you must turn on Find My [device] before it's lost.

Can someone factory reset an iPhone in lost mode?

Lost Mode locks down the ‌iPhone‌ and prevents it from being accessed in iTunes when plugged into a computer, but it can't stop someone from wiping an ‌iPhone‌ via iTunes using recovery mode or DFU mode. Even if your ‌iPhone‌ is fully erased, the person who has it can't use it.

Can I reset an iPhone I found?

Apple recommends users reset a found iPhone using iTunes partly because it not only removes the settings and information on your iPhone but it will also install the latest version of iOS automatically.

What do thieves do with stolen iphones?

Sell iPhone parts in secondary market If the burglars can't retrieve iPhone data, they dismantle the iOS device and sell each part in the secondary market.

What happens if someone steals your iPhone?

If it's covered by AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, you can sign in with your Apple ID and file a claim for an iPhone replacement. Use the Find My app or go to iCloud.com/find to mark your iPhone as lost.

Can police do anything with Find My iPhone?

Police simply don't consider a find my iPhone hit just cause to go to someone's home, and no court will issue a warrant based on just that anyway, so they'd not be able to go in or do anything.

Can stolen phone be activated?

A stolen phone can not typically be activated.

Can a destroyed iPhone be tracked?

If they have a destroyed phone, then they already know where the phone is. Other than that, the phone has to be able to contact a cell tower to be tracked.

Can an iPhone be tracked if iCloud is signed out?

Can I still track it even though it may not be signed on to my iCloud anymore? If it is offline, it's not trackable. A device needs to be powered on and connected to the internet to be trackable.

Can a reported stolen phone still be used on WiFi?

Yes, any smart phone can use WiFi. It is blacklisted against using mobile networks only.

Can police track a stolen phone if its off?

a) Switched Off or Disconnected Devices: If a mobile phone is switched off or the SIM card is removed, it becomes challenging to track the device using its IMEI number. The device must be connected to a cellular network for tracking to be possible.

Can police track iPhone without SIM?

All phones, whether iPhone or Android, can be tracked down without a SIM card or network. Still, they will need to have a secure Wi-Fi connection or mobile hotspot to be accurate. Below, we have explained some steps that are quite widely used and have proven to be a good way to find a lost phone without a SIM.

Can FBI track iphones?

Yes, the FBI and other feds track your phone even if you remove your SIM card. They can do this through several methods, including GPS, cell tower triangulation, and other advanced tracking technologies.

Can I reset an iPhone I found?

Apple recommends users reset a found iPhone using iTunes partly because it not only removes the settings and information on your iPhone but it will also install the latest version of iOS automatically.

Can police track iPhone without SIM?

All phones, whether iPhone or Android, can be tracked down without a SIM card or network. Still, they will need to have a secure Wi-Fi connection or mobile hotspot to be accurate. Below, we have explained some steps that are quite widely used and have proven to be a good way to find a lost phone without a SIM.

What happens if you find your phone after it was lost and claimed?

You need to return it since the insurance company owns it.

How do I deactivate my stolen iPhone?

Remotely erase your iPhone or iPad: If you have access to a trusted device or a family member's device, erase your device with Find My. Otherwise, erase your device from iCloud.com/find. If your iPhone is covered by AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, file a claim for an iPhone replacement.