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User profile for user: Ghingo
Ghingo Author
User level: Level1 4 points
I lost my iPhone13. Clicked 'Lost' and 'Erase' on Find My Phone. Questions:
- Is there a way to confirm if my phone was erased given that the phone was switched on?
- Find my phone shows the same location when it was switched on. Does that mean that it's still there or is the the location where it was switched on or the last location or will it show me another location if turned on elsewhere?
- Remove this device - when should one do that? I was advised to keep it on for sometime. If I remove the device what happens?
- Any further guidance/precautions advice to minimise risk?
Many thanks.
iPhone 13, iOS 16
Posted on May 17, 2023 2:32 AM
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User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch
User level: Level10 207,968 points
Posted on May 20, 2023 7:42 AM
Ghingo wrote:
Thanks. Very helpful. Does one 'Remove the device'? What happens if you do or do not? Asking as just got a new phone and want to be sure that:
(1) when set up the the thief or whoever it has been sold to will have access to my info and
(2)by removing the device the lost mode is not disabled ie making it harder for someone else to reuse my old phone.
No, do not remove the device, and leave it in lost mode; as long as it is registered in your account the iPhone cannot be used or accessed by anyone who does not have your Apple ID and password. To assure that your Apple ID is secure add 2 factor authentication to it if you don’t have it already→Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support. Removing the phone from your account also disables Activation Lock, making the phone usable again.
You can erase the device remotely, but that also does not disconnect it from your account.
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User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch
User level: Level10 207,968 points
May 20, 2023 7:42 AM in response to Ghingo
Ghingo wrote:
Thanks. Very helpful. Does one 'Remove the device'? What happens if you do or do not? Asking as just got a new phone and want to be sure that:
(1) when set up the the thief or whoever it has been sold to will have access to my info and
(2)by removing the device the lost mode is not disabled ie making it harder for someone else to reuse my old phone.
No, do not remove the device, and leave it in lost mode; as long as it is registered in your account the iPhone cannot be used or accessed by anyone who does not have your Apple ID and password. To assure that your Apple ID is secure add 2 factor authentication to it if you don’t have it already→Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support. Removing the phone from your account also disables Activation Lock, making the phone usable again.
You can erase the device remotely, but that also does not disconnect it from your account.
User profile for user: Gena_D
Gena_D
User level: Community Specialist
May 18, 2023 4:49 PM in response to Ghingo
Hello Ghingo,
To start us out, we'd like to offer a couple of support articles that can help with this situation: If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support and Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item - Apple Support.
In addition, this section of the above listed article may help: "When you erase your device, all of your information (including credit, debit, or prepaid cards for Apple Pay) is deleted from the device. If you erase a device that had iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or later installed, you can use Find My to locate the device or play a sound on it. Otherwise, you won't be able to locate or play a sound on your device after you erase it. You might still be able to locate your Mac or Apple Watch if it's near a previously-used Wi-Fi network."
As to your specific questions:
- There is not a way to confirm that the phone was erased, but if the commands were accepted (and you do not get an error message, then the process was successful.
- Find My will show the location of the iPhone as of the last time it was on and connected to a network. If the location changes and it is again turned on and connected to a network, the location shown in Find My will update.
- Step 7 in this article (If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support), it explains the removal process. This would be done once you are certain the phone will not be found and used again, and after your claim has been approved (If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss).
- The articles above cover what you need to know and do pretty well, but if you think there is any possibility that someone may have gained access to your Apple ID, this is a great article to review to protect yourself and your data: If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support.
We hope this helps. Let us know if we can assist with anything else at all. Take care.
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User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch
User level: Level10 207,968 points
May 18, 2023 4:52 PM in response to Ghingo
Beware of a common phishing scam: You may get a text or email from “Apple” or “Apple Security” (or sometimes “Police”) saying your phone has been found and to click on a link to see its location. This is NEVER from Apple or from law enforcement; it is from the thief or fence to steal your Apple ID and identity. Delete any such message without responding to it. Apple never gets involved in lost or stolen devices→Avoid phishing emails, fake ‘virus‘ alerts, phony support calls, and other scams
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User profile for user: Ghingo
Ghingo Author
User level: Level1 4 points
May 20, 2023 12:07 AM in response to Gena_D
Thanks. Very helpful. Does one 'Remove the device'? What happens if you do or do not? Asking as just got a new phone and want to be sure that:
(1) when set up the the thief or whoever it has been sold to will have access to my info and
(2)by removing the device the lost mode is not disabled ie making it harder for someone else to reuse my old phone.
Link
Confirmation of iPhone being erased
