My phone was stolen and I enabled lost mode. Which was pending all the time. Today I received an email from Find My that someone trying to activate this phone. My question is what that means? And what should I do with it?
iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 16
Was Find My enabled?
Open the Find My app. Choose the Devices tab or the Items tab. Select your missing device or item, then choose Play Sound. If your device is offline, it won't play a sound until it connects to a network.
Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item
If Find My [device] was not turned ON before your device was lost or stolen, it can't be used to locate a device nor one can use the IMEI number for tracking a device. The best action would be to Change the Apple ID password and change the passwords for other internet accounts that were used on the device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, Twitter, etc...
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.
Find IMEI & Serial No. of the Lost Device
You may use a web browser to get the Serial Number and the IMEI Number. You cannot track using the IMEI number. but you may need it so keep it handy
Log in to https://appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID credentials. All your devices will be listed there. Click on any to get the details.
Do's, If you had enabled "Find My" before it was lost
Beware of Phishing!
Be careful and be smart to --> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phoney support calls ...
Note: Apple will never send you any info on Lost/Found iPhones. It (Phishing) may appear as the image given below.
Switched Off? Still traceable
Even if the iPhone is switched off it is findable, see the pic below.
Device Offline?
I see my device in Find My, but it's offline
If you see "Offline," "No location available," or "Location Services Off," your device might be offline for one of these reasons:
Don't see your device?
Was Find My enabled?
Open the Find My app. Choose the Devices tab or the Items tab. Select your missing device or item, then choose Play Sound. If your device is offline, it won't play a sound until it connects to a network.
Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item
If Find My [device] was not turned ON before your device was lost or stolen, it can't be used to locate a device nor one can use the IMEI number for tracking a device. The best action would be to Change the Apple ID password and change the passwords for other internet accounts that were used on the device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, Twitter, etc...
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.
Find IMEI & Serial No. of the Lost Device
You may use a web browser to get the Serial Number and the IMEI Number. You cannot track using the IMEI number. but you may need it so keep it handy
Log in to https://appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID credentials. All your devices will be listed there. Click on any to get the details.
Do's, If you had enabled "Find My" before it was lost
Beware of Phishing!
Be careful and be smart to --> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phoney support calls ...
Note: Apple will never send you any info on Lost/Found iPhones. It (Phishing) may appear as the image given below.
Switched Off? Still traceable
Even if the iPhone is switched off it is findable, see the pic below.
Device Offline?
I see my device in Find My, but it's offline
If you see "Offline," "No location available," or "Location Services Off," your device might be offline for one of these reasons:
Don't see your device?
dmitri150 Said:
"My phone was stolen: My phone was stolen and I enabled lost mode. Which was pending all the time. Today I received an email from Find My that someone trying to activate this phone. My question is what that means? And what should I do with it?"
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Erasing your iPhone:
If someone is trying to activate it, then the best route to rake is to erase it. Do so through Find My.
dmitri150 Said:
"My phone was stolen: My phone was stolen and I enabled lost mode. Which was pending all the time. Today I received an email from Find My that someone trying to activate this phone. My question is what that means? And what should I do with it?"
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Secure your Account:
Having been stollen, someone may have your credentials. So, do three things:
A. Re-Associate All Devices:
Disassociate all devices from your Apple Account, first. Sign out of iCloud on all of your devices.. Go here to check the devices associated to your account: Check your Apple ID Device list to See where you're Signed in - Apple Support. Then, log in to your Apple iCloud Account on each device.
B. Verify Your Devices:
Verify that your the devices logged in to your account or officially yours, by using this link: Check your Apple ID Device List to See where you're Signed in - Apple Support
C. Consider Modifying your Credentials:
By all means, consider modifying your credentials, starting with a new password.
D. Change the Password and Passcode:
Beware of Phishing!
Be careful and be smart to --> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phoney support calls ...
Note: Apple will never send you any info on Lost/Found iPhones. It (Phishing) may appear as the image given below.
It would be better if you can please re-post with a screenshot, in order to understand the phenomenon better. Images/pictures speak louder than words.
Please understand this is a public forum: While attaching a Screenshot, do not provide any personal credentials, such as IP address, Card detail, email id, apple id, IMEI number, Serial Number, Phone number, Order ID, if you are sharing a map ensure your location is not identifiable, etc.
With the limited information that you have provided, It is hard to even guess the problems faced by you.
You may get faster and better responses to your query by --> Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple ...
Please re-post with detail so that someone else can help.
It was pending since it’s been stolen but today I received an email from Find My that Activation Lock is asking my password on that phone . I spoke with Apple support they confirmed that someone is trying to activate one but it is still protected by Activation Lock. If it’s not connected to the internet can I still erase it?
dmitri150 Said:
"Can I erase it if lost mode is pending?: It was pending since it’s been stolen but today I received an email from Find My that Activation Lock is asking my password on that phone . I spoke with Apple support they confirmed that someone is trying to activate one but it is still protected by Activation Lock. If it’s not connected to the internet can I still erase it?"
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No. You can choose to erase it. Then, when it connects, it will erase.
Can I erase it if lost mode is pending?
For all, you know it could be spam.
dmitri150 Said:
"Can I erase it if lost mode is pending?"
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No. "Pending" means the device is offline, or is not connected to the Internet.
My phone was stolen
