What to do if you lost your iPhone

The main ways to find iPhone

Calling the phone

The easiest and most proven way to quickly locate your iPhone is to call it. The main thing is that no one else can hear the call or vibration (in silent mode), so you need to remember the place where the device could fall out of your bag or on the street in the snow. If the owner has not found his property, for example, in the bus, you should not waste a second, and call from another phone: it is likely that the thief did not have time to figure out how to mute or unmute the gadget, and there is a chance to hear the familiar ring tone.

A great way to find the gadget in the apartment, dial your number and walk around the house, in case the cell phone is under the pillow.

Find My iPhone service

All iPhone models have the pre-installed “locator” application. It is important that the location service is also active (“Settings” “Privacy” “Location Services”). One more condition. timely creation of an Apple ID account. Only in this way you will be able to use this function with iOS or iCloud. Phone connected to the Internet, on the map is highlighted by a green dot. Gray means you haven’t heard from your iPhone for over a day. It is possible that the phone was intentionally turned off or the battery is dead.

Find My iPhone allows you not only to track the device, but also to turn on a special sound, lock, erase data completely. It’s a pity, but the functionality of the program does not include a display of the history of movement of equipment.

How to put the device into disappearing mode

  • Go to the link;
  • Enter your Apple ID information;
  • Click on “All devices” and select the device you want to put in missing mode;
  • Confirm the activation of this mode.

How to turn on a sound alert

Sound alert to search is turned on in the same order as putting the gadget into missing mode. In the directory “All devices”, you need to find the lost and press “Play sound”.

How to lock iPhone if it was stolen

The extreme measure when stealing an expensive smartphone. its complete locking and deleting all information from memory. This means that intruders will not be able to use the technique in any way. Lost mode will make it impossible to use iPhone, to delete the data, you must click on the “Erase iPhone” icon.

Unfortunately, with your iPhone turned off or in airplane mode, you won’t be able to find it using the above method. The only thing available is to change the Apple account password, which you will have to do from your computer:

  • Go to the link;
  • In the Security tab, find “Change Password”;
  • Enter your current password, then a new option, and confirm the change.

Third-party apps for iPhone search

In addition to the built-in functionality, owners of iPhones and other Apple gadgets can install external applications.

Contact If Found

The tool is free, does not take up much memory, and its availability is very important if your iPhone is lost on the street. But in the case of Contact If Found, you have to rely on the decency of those who find your property.

The purpose of the program is to inform the finder of the owner’s contacts without having to unlock the screen. Phone number or other contact information is displayed.

iHound

The iHound app works much like Find My iPhone, i.e.е. Detects location of the gadget via GPS and Wi-Fi signals and displays it on the map if it is active. To use this utility you should register on iHound Software and add the data of the device, particularly the serial number and a short description. The program is paid, costs 3.99, and is available on iTunes.

Reward If Found

This application is similar to Contact If Found, but with one difference: the person who found your device will be motivated to return it for a reward. The locked screen will display your contact information and the amount you’re willing to pay for finding it. Currently, the utility is not available on the App Store. It’s possible that the developers will update the software, or the only users of the program will be the owners of older models of iPhones.

iLocalis

Another application from the arsenal of external tools to find a missing or stolen iPhone. Features include location tracking, sending notifications to nearby friends, remote phone control, backup, sound recording in the surroundings of the device, lock and other useful options. For more information and to register your account, go to the official iLocalis website.

IMEI code

The first thing that every buyer of any cell phone, whether it is an iPhone or a budget smartphone, should do is to record the IMEI number (write it down, take a picture, be sure to keep the “native” packaging). A unique identifier will be needed if the equipment is stolen. The first thing the police ask for when filing a report is all the documents and the IMEI code.

Contacting the police

When the owner of the stolen phone goes to the police, asking them to look for the missing phone in “offline mode”. The victim should add to your statement the documentary evidence of the purchase of the gadget, IMEI number and details of the crime. Where, when, under what circumstances, by whom (description of appearance) the iPhone was stolen. Going to the station, be prepared to answer all these questions clearly.

The case will be open and the special services will start searching through all sorts of dubious places where handsets are sold (they usually check the IMEI codes in the stolen property database) only if they have a complete picture of the criminal episode. Any misrepresentation, deception, or attempt to pass off an ordinary loss as theft will result in a hefty fine for false reporting.

But don’t be fooled if they ask you to wipe your iPhone remotely, give them your Apple ID number, or unlock your device. You may be being tricked into taking your smartphone for yourself.

Mobile operator

Tracking the geo-positioning of a device by IMEI code or SIM card is theoretically possible, and is done by police and cellular service providers when seriously needed. You’ll need a special order to initiate such a process. Privately, a refusal is guaranteed, and the first thing the thief will do is get the SIM card and get rid of it.

Search with another device

How to search for a missing device from another device, such as a PC or tablet, was described above. Call the device, use the built-in Find My iPhone app, the external utility iLocalis and other programs that allow you to track the location of the gadget, activate the signal, lock the device or erase data. The main thing is that you must have the passwords from the Apple’s ID at hand, and the smartphone itself is online (on the Internet: 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi).

On both PC and tablet you need to go to Apple’s website or iCloud, identify yourself and select the desired action. The same goes for external utilities: if you use iHound, you need to use that app’s web resource to find the device.

Notification in social networks

No one is safe from theft or loss of an expensive device, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed about it. Social networking sites are a great way to notify the public about your problem. If the iPhone had any distinctive features, report them in the information about the loss as well. Expect that you will receive offers to find the device for a certain sum, or someone will assure you that he has already calculated the geoposition of the phone. Try to filter out such messages and be guided by common sense.

Contact an Apple office

Even with such good protection, stolen or found iPhones are susceptible to techies who break into the ID, bypass the protection and do the unlocking. Delete iCloud data for further sale or use of the device. Some even dare to blackmail the owner with the photos or documents in the memory. The phone number of the official support service for Apple products in Russia (495) 580-95-57.

lost, your, iphone

What to do if your iPhone is lost or stolen. No matter if your iPhone is on or off!

Quite often we can observe how the owners of expensive gadgets leave their iPhones in random places, on café tables and on the edge of a pool table, in the office, as if to let everyone around see “here he is how cool I am”! And then there is the basic question. what to do if your iPhone is lost or stolen?

In this case, the main problem is not even that “money is a pity”, but that confidential payment, commercial information and personal data can fall into the hands of criminals who have lost all conscience.

And that would have more serious consequences than having to spend almost 100.000 to buy a new iPhone (which is not a bad thing. to upgrade your equipment), and the unpleasant prospect of losing much more as a result of the withdrawal of funds from bank accounts, cards, and e-wallets. Or even worse. if the corporate accounting and finances fall into the hands of bad guys. And this already counts in the millions. So take an A4 sheet of paper and write down instructions for what to do when an iPhone is lost or stolen.

There have been cases where expensive smartphones were forgotten on the bar, running into the institution to literally skip one drink.

The paper with the instructions sealed in a plastic bag and always carry it with you, you never know when a loss may occur. Joking

How to use Find My iPhone?

This service is free and easily customizable. It may be the most valuable application on your iPhone. It also works on iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, so you can track all your devices of that brand. If you’ve lost your “iPhone,” how to find it?

If you have already set up Find My iPhone beforehand, your smartphone will connect to the Internet and broadcast its location. This way you can use another iOS device or just visit iCloud.com to find “iPhone”. How to find “iPhone” if the device is on?

7 Things To Do if Your iPhone is Stolen or Lost

If you suspect you left your device in the trunk of your car, forgot it at the office or, at worst, assume it’s stolen, you should use Find My iPhone to track. It’s done this way.

If you’re using another iOS device, find Find My iPhone. Click on its icon to open. Now enter your Apple ID and password. This will be the login you use when you buy something from the app store or iTunes or log in to any other Apple service. You should have set up an Apple ID when you got your first device from this company.

You’ll see COMPASS and the word Locating on your device’s screen as the device you’re using tracks the location of your devices. Several options will be displayed, and you’ll need to turn on Send Last Location. This may be the only way to find “iPhone” if it is turned off. Now you will see a map of your various devices.

Tap it to zoom in on the location of your lost smartphone. Now that you’ve found your device, tap on it and you’ll see several options for further action. For example, you can play sound. This is useful if you’ve lost your iPhone somewhere at home and it’s muted.

Depending on your iPhone model and iOS version, you can switch it to Lost mode, which will lock your device and transmit its location or perform a lock and notify you when it’s found.

In the worst case, you can clear your iPhone so that your data does not fall into the wrong hands.

Use iCloud to track the location of your device. This will show you on the map the location of your iPhone. Remember your iCloud account information. Apple ID and password. to use this function.

Search from your computer

To find a lost phone through your computer using iCloud, follow the link above and authorize. On the screen you will see shortcuts, where you need to select the item “Find iPhone”. After launching the application and the map appears, select your iPhone in the “My devices” menu. After a couple of seconds, the map shows you where it is at the moment. For example, you might have dropped the phone near your car or left it on a bench in the park. run there immediately so that it doesn’t “grow legs”.

Three other useful features are also available here:

  • Play sound. activation of this function will make the handset beep. Very useful when searching for your phone in the grass or at home.
  • Missing Mode. displays a message on your phone that will be seen by whoever finds it. Enter your contact information here. The handset will be blocked.
  • Erase iPhone. we recommend this feature if the price of the data stored in the device is higher than the price of the iPhone itself.

This is enough to locate the phone, lock it or turn it into a “brick.

It is recommended to activate the lost mode immediately after detecting the absence of the handset. It won’t affect the functionality of geolocation.

Searching with another iPhone

You might not have a computer at hand when you lose your device. it’s a pretty standard situation. Don’t get upset, someone who also has an iPhone will help us out. Ask for your device, launch the “Find iPhone” application on it, and log in with your Apple ID. After a few seconds you’ll see a map of the area with the exact location of your smartphone, so you can go looking for it.

How to find your iPhone when it is turned off

Unfortunately, we can not turn off the phone. in order to properly determine the current location of the iPhone must be online. If not, the map will show its last position. You can go to that location and search for your lost device. Unfortunately, a similar result will be encountered if your smartphone is lost in an area with no network reception.

Finding a stolen or lost iPhone, iPad, or Mac

If your Apple device was stolen or you have lost it, do not give up. You can try to locate the device using the built-in “Find iPhone” feature. This tutorial tells you how to turn it on and set it up on your iOS device and Mac.

Turning on “Find iPhone”

Go to the Settings menu and click on your name at the top of the page. Open the iCloud tab and find the “Find iPhone” option. Turn on the feature by moving the slider to the right.

To make your device transmit information about the last geographic location when the battery is low, activate the “Last Geo-Position” option as well. This way you will have a better chance of tracking your gadget if it is lost or stolen.

Activate Find Mac

Although the name of the function is slightly different on a Mac, it works the same way it does on an iPhone or iPad. Open the “System Preferences” menu. iCloud.

Look through the list and at the very bottom, check the “Find Mac” option. That’s it, the feature is on.

Search for a lost or stolen gadget

If you lose your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or if your device is stolen, you need to act quickly. Go to the iCloud page.com from any computer and browser, log in to your Apple ID account and open the Find iPhone app. Enter your password when the system asks for it.

Click on “All Devices” at the top of the page and select the missing gadget. You will see a menu with three options. Use them depending on the situation.

This option will allow you to find a device that is lost in the apartment.

In this mode, access to your smartphone or computer is restricted, and you can leave a message on the screen with a contact phone number and a request to return the device. The owner also gets access to location data, if available. Note that the location of the device is determined using the Internet. When there’s no network connection, you won’t know where your gadget is.

With this option you can remotely erase data from the gadget.

Do not limit yourself to the “Find iPhone” function. Immediately after the theft of your iPhone, iPad or Mac, be sure to contact law enforcement and give them complete information about the device: make and model, color, serial number. This information will help you find your missing device faster.

We hope you never need these instructions. Stay safe and keep track of your gadgets.

Stolen iPhone or iPad? Lock your device (instruction)

What to do if your iPhone or iPad is stolen or lost? The first and basic action is to lock your gadget remotely, which will not only prevent the device from being used by third parties, but also help to recover it. About how to lock iPhone or iPad in case of loss or theft, as well as the settings without which remote locking is impossible, this guide explains in detail.

First, consider this scenario: your iPhone or iPad has not yet been stolen/lost (hopefully it will stay that way), but you are worried that such a situation is possible. Understand that Apple’s security systems, which allow you to detect or remotely lock your mobile device, work only if they are active. It turns out that if the “Find iPhone” function on your smartphone or tablet is not activated, it will be extremely difficult to find your device.

So, without waiting for any emergencies with your iPhone or iPad, do the following.

Stolen iPhone offline

How to find your device if you see that your device is offline when you sign in to Find My iPhone? Means not active and not connected to WI-FI or 3G. When the cell phone is turned off, you can lock it through disappearing mode. But this function will be active only when the stolen device is connected to WI-FI. The email to which the Apple ID is registered will receive a notification that the smartphone has been connected to the Internet.

How long to wait? When there is a password on the cell phone, you have to wait for it to be reflashed. As soon as your device is plugged in, it instantly goes into disappearing mode. This will prevent intruders from taking advantage of the information.

If you didn’t have time to put a password and TouchID on your iPhone and are offline, burglars still won’t be able to press anything. Since you previously had the “Find iPhone” feature turned on. You can’t turn it off because you only need your iCloud password. The device will be completely locked incapacitated.

The Find iPhone feature is not enabled

Is it possible to find your phone in this case?? The chances are rather small, but it is worth a try, it is useless to use programs. Let’s find out how to find iPhone in another way.

You have to file a theft report with the police. Law enforcement will help find the stolen cell phone. Our staff will ask for the serial number (IMEI) of your device. Only after a few days, will be able to locate the equipment, even if it’s completely turned off.

Every time the device connects to the cellular operator’s network, it broadcasts its IMEI. It helps to detect its geodata. The operator can easily lock your device and locate it. “Imei” is a very effective rescue option in the most difficult situations, you should not neglect it unequivocally.

What to do in the first place if you lost your iPhone? It is necessary to change the pass from the Apple ID, so attackers do not use the data. And only after that contact the competent authorities. As they say, the rescue is a matter of drowning.

What to do if you’ve lost your iPhone. 7 tips

You happened to find someone else’s lost iPhone. If it’s on and not protected by Face ID/Touch ID and passcode, it’s relatively easy. Call the phone recorded as “Mom,” “Dad,” “Sweetheart,” “Sweetheart” and derivatives. Easily find the owner. But unprotected iPhones are rare. What to do with a locked iPhone?

Tell. But first, let’s tell you exactly what you don’t want to do.

  • Do not try to guess the password. You have 0 chance. But you can do harm. The thing is that under the path Settings. Face ID/Touch ID and Password Code. Wipe Data, the owner could activate the option to erase all information after 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password code. It will not unlock the iPhone, it will not unlink it to the Apple ID. It won’t increase the chances of finding the owner.
  • Do not turn off your smartphone. This will lower the chances of finding it through the locator.
  • Try to find the contact: If the gadget was connected to the network before the owner activated the missing mode, you will see a message on the screen. The contact number will also be there. Call, communicate, give the smartphone. Good for you, you helped the person.
  • Install the SIM card in another phone: If there is no contact information, you can remove the SIM card, and then install it in another phone. If it has no pin protection, you can try to find relatives or friends directly in its memory.
  • Use Siri : Try asking the voice assistant Whose iPhone is it. If the owner has taken care of the setup (where? in Siri Settings and Search My Information ), then you will see a card with the data you need.
  • SOS button : You need to press the SOS button on the code-password entry screen and get to the Medcard section. There may be phone numbers of relatives.
  • Just connect the iPhone to the network and wait : Open the Control Panel, activate the mobile Internet and just wait. This way you have a better chance that the smartphone will be found by the owner via Latitude.

Nothing helps? Just keep your battery charged and wait for a call. Sooner or later the owner of the smartphone should contact you.

Preventive action

Apple, more than anyone else, cares about the security of its users’ data. In order for you to lock your iPhone remotely, you must first activate the smartphone’s proprietary Find iPhone feature. Believe me, despite some inconveniences relating to the introduction of passwords when making changes to the system, or disabling it in cases of service maintenance, is incomparable with the ability to protect all the available data. So, in our opinion, you should definitely enable it.

With the “Find” feature running, unauthorized people won’t be able to delete your password, access your photos, or pull out your contacts. The app also blocks access to payment cards linked to Passbook. Do not neglect this most effective means of protection against hacking!

To activate the remote locking function, go to settings from the iPhone home menu. Select the iCloud tab there. Scroll down to Find iPhone with the radar icon. Move the bar on the right to the active position.

That’s it, the most important smartphone protection is successfully activated. It’s that simple, but if you lose it you will appreciate its capabilities.

If there is no hope to find your device, you can always delete all the photos, contacts and other personal information via iCloud, so that strangers do not get access to it. However, after that the search through the “Find iPhone” is also canceled, so it is impossible to track the location and the fate of the device, alas. True, the lock is valid until you decide to remove (unlock) it from your account.