Should I remove my stolen device?
Should I remove a stolen device?
iPhone 14, iOS 16
I’ve already erased it but I’m not sure what happened after I remove it. I can still see it’s location but the police can’t help me get to it
9 replies
Thanks. But if I don’t remove it, do the the person holding it can get my data or anything? Like what am I exposed to by not removing it?
I have already erased it remotely
Removing your phone from you account will be a major favor to whoever is in possession of it. They'll be able to restore it and use it as their own. I wouldn't do it. But it's up to you if you want to do it.
No. It would still be activation locked.
Once you erase your iPhone, all of your information is deleted from the device, including any media not backed up to iCloud. Activation Lock remains on to protect it, and your Apple ID and password are required to reactivate it.
If you have erased it, where is the data to worry about?
Don'ts
If the device is removed from an account after it is erased, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to turn on and use the device.
An example of my iPhone 5 is given in the GIF below. There is no "Undo" after you remove it from your account.
Yes and No
Yes, if you want to allow anyone who has the phone to erase the phone and use it as their own.
No, if you don't.
Well said.
So the phone is open but all of the data is erased but since I didn’t remove it the person can’t use it?
so there must be some data on it right? Like my Apple ID?
You're Apple ID is encrypted, meaning whoever has your phone cannot get to it, nor bypass it.
Should I remove my stolen device?