Submitted by ChampionsNet t3_10pt2g7 in iphone
Two days ago my iPhone 14 Pro was stolen around 13:00. It was immediately turned off and the location did not update until 19:00.
I put it in lost mode around 14:00 but because it never connected to the internet it still shows as pending.
Can the thief reset the iPhone and use it normally?
The strange thing is that I got only one location update at 19:00 and right after the border cross getting out of my country (the border is close).
But lost mode is still pending.. Will it still take effect if they wipe it and connect to the internet afterwards?
Even if lost mode is still pending, the phone is activation locked to your iCloud account. If they wipe it and try to setup the phone again, it will require them to enter the account details to complete the setup.
So they cannot set it up without internet access? At least that’s a piece of mind that they have a brick now..
Even if they have internet access, they’ll still need your iCloud account details. So yes, they’ve basically got a fancy paperweight.
Lost mode is more for securing your data, and aiding in getting your phone back from an honest person. It won't prevent wiping of the phone in iTunes. But in which case your data will be wiped and also the phone will still be activation locked. Without your password, they will not be able to use the phone, because it will be activation locked.
That's why in some higher level scams, they try and phish the password from you, so they can remove the lock. Again be wary of fraudulent emails, Apple will never ask you for your passwords etc.
Yep I understand that, my only concern is since lost mode is still pending and not actually activated yet, what happens in that specific case.
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Thank you. At least I have some piece of mind now
You’ve been told multiple times: If, for any reason, Lost Mode remains pending indefinitely, the device will still be activation locked so long as you do not remove it from your Apple ID account nor provide the device passcode or your Apple ID credentials to anyone.
Even if they’re able to wipe the device (via DFU or Recovery Mode) before Lost Mode is activated, your personal data will be removed and it will still be activation locked.
Thanks man! Any idea how it only sent its location once (after border control, exiting my country) but still not connected to the internet since they stole it?
My only guess is that they instantly turned it off and turned it on once they passed the border, but cellular data was on and it should have activated lost mode then (control center can’t be accessed without unlocking)..
The location expectations depend on the Find My settings you had on the device: Send Last Location - if the battery is critically low, you’ll see the last location for 24hrs; Find My Network - allows you to see location when it’s offline, in low power mode, and offline, but it relies on other nearby Apple devices. If you’re unsure of which settings you had enabled, we can only make assumptions about the location updates. Things like: SIM card removed (if physical), being out cellular signal range, no nearby Apple devices, phone powered off, etc.
The most likely answer is they removed your SIM and/or powered the phone off.
If Find My shows Offline, No Location Found, etc.: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204233
Actually I only had two eSIMs so it is impossible to remove them physically, thanks anyway
It’s pending because the phone hasn’t been turned on and Apple can’t connect to it. When/if it connects to it lost mode will update.
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Yes they can if they have the tools. Some get shipped off to china (sold with activation lock)
Some more info if iPhone got stolen
Essentially it can be only used for parts then? Or if they reset it then they can use it normally since lost mode is pending only?
It is still locked until you remove it
Just be careful for any messages saying, please send this text or authorisation number to this number to get your phone back. It’s all fake. There are many people reporting people trying to get into your iPhone with text messages to the original number or something.
here is a thread to see that people share experiences that their iPhones ends up back in China https://reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/vgfm6g/stolen_iphones_at_music_festivals_being_pinged/
Many of them dismantle it and remove the parts and throw it in the dustbin.
If you have the IMEI code with you, u can visit your nearest police station to help you track the device. It will only work if the phone is turned on and connected to a cellular network.
ToffeeCoffee t1_j6maj4u wrote
They can factory wipe the phone, but it will still be activation locked and unuseable, unless you remove it. Don't remove it and just leave it in lost mode whether it updates you or not. You might not get any more updates if it's battery disconnected and going to parted out etc.
You should also be careful of receiving any suspicious emails asking you for account info or iCloud login from spoof or phishing emails. They will try and get you to remove activation lock pretending to be Apple.