What to do if you buy a stolen iPhone?

Contact the Carrier with the IMEI
If you can't find the carrier's name on the phone, you can also often look up the carrier using an IMEI lookup website. The carrier likely won't provide you with any private information but will help you connect with the owner of the lost or stolen iPhone.


Can iPhone be unlocked if stolen?

You can unlock a lost iPhone that is reported stolen by turning off Lost Mode: Method 1: Simply enter your passcode on the device. Method 2: Also go to iCloud.com and click Find my iPhone > Click All Devices and find the device that is in Lost Mode > Click Stop Lost Mode to unlock the iPhone that you found it.

How do I activate a stolen iPhone?

Open the Find My app and choose the Devices tab or the Items tab. Select your missing device or item. Scroll down to Mark As Lost or Lost Mode and select Activate or Enable.


Can a stolen iPhone be disabled?

Contact your wireless carrier

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.

Can Apple wipe a stolen iPhone?

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.


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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 I use a iPhone I found?

If you find a lost iPhone, Activation Lock will prevent you from using it if it's protected by Apple's Find My service. It's essentially a paperweight for as long as you have it in your possession. So don't expect to use an iPhone you've found.

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

Do NOT remove the old phone from your account (in your online Apple ID settings) as that will remove activation lock, thus allowing it to be used by the thief. 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.


What happens if you buy a locked iPhone?

Basically, a locked phone is tied ("locked") to a specific carrier, like AT&T or Verizon. Locked phones have a software code on them that prevent the user from using other networks.

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.

Will the police do anything about a stolen iPhone?

File a Police Report

This step may or may not lead to the recovery of your iPhone (in fact, the police may tell you there's very little they can do either because of the value of the phone or the number of thefts), but having documentation should help when dealing with a phone and insurance companies.


Do all stolen iPhones get blacklisted?

An iPhone is marked blacklisted by its owner if iPhone is reported lost or stolen somehow. Outstanding bills or unpaid contract bills can be another reason for a phone to get blacklisted. If the bills of a phone are unpaid or have an outstanding balance, the phone is reported as a blacklisted phone.

What happens if you use a stolen phone?

Criminals can rack up text, call, and data charges with your stolen phone. Even worse, they could start to run smishing scams on your friends and family using your phone number. Contact your phone service provider, and tell them that your SIM has been lost or stolen and you want to block it.

Can police trace an iPhone?

Can Police Track Your Phone? The police won't track your phone without reason, but they can access your device's location history in an emergency or if they suspect criminal activity. Once they have a warrant, the police can access a phone's GPS data through a cell provider and view its current or last known location.


Can police trace an Apple ID?

Unless they have the passcode or a suspect unlocks the device for them, there is nothing at all that either law enforcement or Apple can retrieve from the device.

Is it illegal to keep a found iPhone?

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.

How do you tell if you bought a stolen iPhone?

How to Check If You're Buying a Stolen iPhone or Android Phone
  1. Get the IMEI number from the iPhone or Android phone, you can also do this by dialing *#06# on the phone.
  2. Go to StolenPhoneChecker.org here to check and enter your IMEI number into the website.


Can the police track an IMEI number?

1.1 Each mobile handset has a unique identification number known as an International Mobile Equipment Identity number or more commonly an IMEI. With the IMEI being unique to the individual handset it provides police opportunities to identify and recover stolen property.

Can police track a stolen phone if its off?

It is very unlikely for your phone to be actively tracked when it's switched off, but it is possible. Certain authorities are known to use trojans and other malicious malware to track the phones of certain suspects. These trojans can enable a device to emit a signal even when it's switched off.

How long can you track lost iPhone?

The last known location is stored for up to 7 days. See the Apple Support article Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item.


Can thieves change IMEI number?

Tampering with IMEI numbers is illegal, according to the authorities. Thieves, on the other hand, use a 'flasher' to modify the IMEI number of stolen phones. A flasher is a simple device that allows the user to alter the IMEI number by connecting the handset to a computer.

Are iPhones covered for theft?

Hardware coverage

Both AppleCare+ options provide repair or replacement hardware service for your iPhone. Depending on the plan you choose, you'll get unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection and up to two incidents of theft or loss coverage every 12 months.

What to do if my iPhone 13 is stolen?

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen
  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. ...
  7. Remove your missing device from your account.