What to do if you find an iPhone?

Contact the Carrier or Hand It In
You can then contact the carrier, quote the number, and they may be able to help contact the owner of the device. Alternatively, you might also try inserting the SIM card in a spare phone to see if you can find any contacts of the iPhone owner to contact.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on makeuseof.com


Can you do anything with a found iPhone?

Many people wonder if their phones can be used if they get stolen. People set multiple security levels and passcodes on their phones to protect their data in case a device gets stolen. However, if you find an iPhone and wish to use it but cannot bypass the security levels then you can still use the device.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mobitrix.com


How do I return an iPhone that I found?

Check it for contact information, or post notices around where you found it, or take it to the local police, or if applicable, the Lost & Found department of the facility where you found it.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on discussions.apple.com


What to do with a lost iPhone?

If you lose your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or think it might be stolen, use Find My and protect your data.
  1. Look for your device on a map. ...
  2. Mark as Lost. ...
  3. Report your missing device to local law enforcement. ...
  4. File a Theft and Loss claim. ...
  5. Remotely erase your device. ...
  6. Contact your wireless carrier.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


What to do if you find a lost phone?

If you find a lost phone, returning it is easy. If you have the IMEI or ESN number, simply contact your cellular service provider and leave your contact info with them. If you don't have the IMEI, either wait until they call your phone or you can attempt to bypass the lock pattern.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on makeuseof.com


(2022) LOST or STOLEN iPhone?? Here's What You Need To Do!



How do I contact the owner of a lost phone?

If you've picked up an Android phone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, tap Emergency call and then View emergency Information. If you see an emergency contact listed, get in touch with them to find out whose phone you've found.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on popsci.com


How do I help someone find their lost iPhone?

For a misplaced iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, Mac, AirPods product, or supported Beats product, you can also use the Find My app on a device owned by someone in your Family Sharing group, or sign in to iCloud.com/find on a web browser.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


Can a lost iPhone be used by someone else?

Even if your ‌iPhone‌ is fully erased, the person who has it can't use it. Activation Lock stays on and there is no way to bypass it. As soon as the ‌iPhone‌ boots up, it asks for an ‌Apple ID‌ and password and it won't go past the activation screen without the information.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on macrumors.com


Does Apple accept lost iPhones?

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. Do not remove your device from your account until your claim has been fully approved.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


Can a stolen iPhone still be used?

But Apple's 'Find My' network makes it nearly impossible for a stolen device to be used by someone else. That's because the iPhone or any other Apple device is linked to a user's Apple ID and without access to this, the device is practically unusable for a thief.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on indianexpress.com


Can I keep a phone I found?

At common law, you may be able to keep the phone if it was lost property but not if it was mislaid property. If this sounds like a weird distinction to you, you're not alone. Lost property is property that was unintentionally left behind by its owner.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on findlaw.com


How do you unlock a found iPhone 13?

I Found My Lost iPhone, How Do I Unlock it?
  1. Unlock a Found iPhone.
  2. Unlock a Found iPhone via iTunes.
  3. Choose Unlock Screen Passcode.
  4. Click Start Button to Remove Screen Passcode.
  5. Get a Matching Firmware.
  6. Tap on Unlock Now to Continue.
  7. iOS Device Unlocked Successfully.
  8. Joy Taylor.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on imobie.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


Is it possible to unlock a locked iPhone?

Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and request an unlock. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your request.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


Can you unlock an iPhone if you are not the original owner?

One of the ways to remove the Find My iPhone activation lock from your iPhone without the previous owner is to present a proof of purchase to the Apple support team. When you give this document to Apple, they can verify the original owner of the phone and then can help you unlock the device.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on imobie.com


Does Apple track stolen phones?

With Apple's Find My app, you can hunt down your lost or stolen devices.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cnet.com


How much does Apple charge for lost phone?

Under AppleCare+, each accidental damage incident is subject to a service fee of $29 for screen or back glass damage or $99 for other accidental damage. Each incident of theft or loss is subject to a deductible of $149.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on apple.com


Can Apple Find stolen products?

If you turn on Find My network, you can locate your device or item even if it's not connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile network. The Find My network is an encrypted anonymous network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that can help you locate your device or item.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com


What do thieves do with stolen iPhones?

They will try to wipe out the data including photos, videos, documents, audios, etc. from stolen iPhones for resale. Thieves know several techniques to erase everything from the stolen phone. Plus, thieves are also capable of tricking the buyer that stolen iPhone is clean and unlocked.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on imobie.com


Will police help find stolen iPhone?

If you inform the police that your phone has gone missing, they may be able to provide limited assistance locating it. Call 911, or the non-emergency police number, to contact your local police office. Local law enforcement will likely ask you for the serial number for your phone.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthyjournal.com


What do thieves do with stolen phones?

Some thieves will use the information they find on phones (such as photos, texts or emails), then use it to hold the original owner to ransom. The best thing to do is to remotely wipe your phone as soon as you find out it's stolen – this can be achieved with apps such as Find My Device (free – Android and iOS).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on switchedoninsurance.com


Should you report a lost phone?

Report your missing phone to your network provider

You should tell your network provider straight away if your phone is lost or stolen, so they can block it and stop anyone else using it. If you don't tell them straight away you might have to pay for any unauthorised phone calls, which can be very expensive.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizensadvice.org.uk


Can police help you find a lost phone?

If you inform the police that your phone has gone missing, they may be able to provide limited assistance locating it. Call 911, or the non-emergency police number, to contact your local police office. Local law enforcement will likely ask you for the serial number for your phone.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


How do I get into an iPhone 13 without a password?

Turn off the passcode
  1. Go to Settings , then do one of the following: On an iPhone with Face ID: Tap Face ID & Passcode. On an iPhone with a Home button: Tap Touch ID & Passcode.
  2. Tap Turn Passcode Off.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on support.apple.com
Next question
Can I take HRT at 74?