What do thieves do after they steal your iPhone?


The first thing a thief can do after stealing your iPhone is erase all the data from the device. To resell the stolen phone, they wipe up all the data, photos, and information from the device.

What happens when someone steals your iPhone?

If the missing device is an iPhone or an iPad with cellular, report your missing device to your wireless carrier. Ask the carrier to disable your account to prevent calls, texts, and data use. And if your device is covered under your wireless carrier plan, file a claim.

Should you be worried about thieves stealing your iPhone?

Watch Out While Using Your iPhone in Public An iPhone being stolen is a person's worst nightmare, but having all your data compromised and being at the risk of losing your money is way worse. This is why we recommend watching out while using your phone in public and keeping it away from prying eyes.

Can someone unlock my stolen iPhone?

In most cases, the first question we hear from theft victims is can someone unlock my stolen iPhone? The answer is YES. There are many ways a thief can unlock a stolen phone. They can exploit everything from your saved bank credentials to personal images and videos stored on the device.

How do you find a lost iPhone that is turned off?

If the iPhone is turned off but still has battery, you can track it as long as you have Find My enabled. An offline iPhone will show the current location in Find My, as long as other Apple devices are nearby.

Should you be worried about thieves stealing your iPhone?

Watch Out While Using Your iPhone in Public An iPhone being stolen is a person's worst nightmare, but having all your data compromised and being at the risk of losing your money is way worse. This is why we recommend watching out while using your phone in public and keeping it away from prying eyes.

What do robbers do with stolen phones?

The moment you can't find your phone, you should assume the worst. Phone thieves often go straight for your personal information after stealing your phone. They'll try to access banking and investment apps, social media and email accounts, photos, and passwords.

Can Apple do anything for stolen 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.

Why do thieves steal iPhones?

Thieves love to steal iPhones because they can quickly sell them for easy cash. So we're going to show you the most important security setting you need to change on your iPhone today to stop them.

Why you shouldn t reply to iPhone thieves?

“The messages prey on people's emotions by giving them the impression they have access to personal things such as photos, even if they actually don't,” Campbell said. “Many people don't think clearly, just think about wanting their lost data or not wanting it to get in the wrong hands.”

Should I remove stolen iPhone?

Stealing an iPhone is a high-risk activity, and if there's a good chance they won't be able to use or sell it, there's little incentive to commit a crime in the first place. So, now that you know the risks involved, never remove your iPhone from your iCloud account unless you're ready to sell it or give it away.

Can a stolen iPhone be reset?

If your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com. To sign in to Find Devices, go to icloud.com/find.

Can a stolen iPhone be used with a new SIM card?

If it has a passcode they can't access the data, but with no activation lock they could wipe it clean and put in a new SIM card and start using it. So just leave it as it is in Lost Mode, in your account.

Can a stolen iPhone be tracked after factory reset?

Method 3: Use iCloud to Find Your Lost iPhone Even When It's Powered Off/ Factory Reset. You can also use iCloud's website to track your lost iPhone even if it has been powered off or doesn't have enough battery backup.

Can police track a phone that is turned off?

Can a phone be tracked if it's turned off? A phone that is turned off is difficult to track because it stops sending signals to cell towers. However, the service provider or internet provider can show the last location once it's switched back on.

How do I block my stolen iPhone?

Turn on Lost Mode or lock a device Click the name of the current device in the center of the Find Devices toolbar to see the Devices list, then select a new device. Click Lost Mode or Lock.

Will police recover stolen phone?

If you believe your phone has been stolen, file a police report. Although law enforcement agencies don't have the resources to investigate every case of a stolen phone, if you're able to tell them where your phone is (using a finder app), they will be more likely to be able to help you recover it.

Can a stolen iPhone be used with a new SIM card?

If it has a passcode they can't access the data, but with no activation lock they could wipe it clean and put in a new SIM card and start using it. So just leave it as it is in Lost Mode, in your account.

Does Apple cover stolen devices?

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss covers You for repair or replacement of Your device in the event of Theft or Loss, Accidental Damage or Battery Depletion and access to Technical Support from Apple (as set out in clause 4.5). The Policy is sold by Apple and Apple Authorised Resellers.

Can the police track a stolen iPhone?

Yes, the police can track a stolen phone using either your phone number or the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Whether or not the police prioritize looking for your stolen phone is another matter.

Should I remove stolen iPhone?

Stealing an iPhone is a high-risk activity, and if there's a good chance they won't be able to use or sell it, there's little incentive to commit a crime in the first place. So, now that you know the risks involved, never remove your iPhone from your iCloud account unless you're ready to sell it or give it away.

Should you be worried about thieves stealing your iPhone?

Watch Out While Using Your iPhone in Public An iPhone being stolen is a person's worst nightmare, but having all your data compromised and being at the risk of losing your money is way worse. This is why we recommend watching out while using your phone in public and keeping it away from prying eyes.

What do police use to track stolen phones?

Police IMEI tracker is confidential software used by police officers to track stolen phones. It works in a way that the police officer will enter the victim's IMEI number and the location of the phone. The software will then provide them with the exact location of where the phone is located.

What phones get stolen the most?

Sixteen percent of phones are stolen in restaurants, and chances are it was an iPhone (39%) or Android device (37%) – the most attractive handsets for thieves. While 55 percent of thefts happen in an urban environment, one third of phone theft incidents occurred in suburbia.

Can a found iPhone be used?

Someone else's iPhone is useless to anyone other than the owner, provided Find My iPhone is enabled. Activation Lock prevents the iPhone from being used even after a software reset, and the same feature lets the rightful owner track down lost devices.

Can Apple turn off a stolen phone?

With Find My iPhone, you can locate lost devices, disable them, and even fully erase them, but unless you've been in a situation where you've needed these services, you may not know exactly how they work, what they do, or what information someone can access when they have your device.