I found my stolen iPhone in Danube river, now it is in Budapest.

Three weeks ago, my iPhone 11 was stolen, and for three days, I've noticed it's been tracked near the Danube River. Today, I received a message indicating that my iPhone has been found on Budapest street (100km from where it was stolen) , but "Lost Mode" is still pending. I assume the thief might have thrown it into the Danube, which raises the question of how it's still active without a battery.

My concern is the security of my data. I don't want the thief to access my photos or personal information, but I also don't want to erase the phone in case someone else might use it afterward. How can I be absolutely certain that the device is locked, and no one can breach my privacy? The police have the IMEI numbers.

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 5, 2023 2:07 AM

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3 replies

Sep 5, 2023 2:09 AM in response to Radkub

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.




iPhones are designed with strong security measures to protect the privacy and data of their owners. One of the key features that ensure this is the requirement of an Apple ID and password or a passcode to access the device's contents. This means that without the owner's authorization, it is nearly impossible for anyone else to open an iPhone and gain access to its data.


  • The Apple ID and password serve as a unique identifier for each user and are used to link the device to the owner's iCloud account.
  • In the event that the owner has chosen to set up a passcode, an additional layer of protection is added.
  • Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication for the Apple ID further enhances the security of the device by requiring a secondary verification step, typically through a trusted device or phone number, to access the account.


With these security measures in place, iPhones offer a high level of protection against unauthorized access. Even if someone physically possesses the device, they will find it extremely challenging to access its contents without the owner's Apple ID and password or the passcode. This helps safeguard sensitive information, personal data, and ensures the privacy of the iPhone's owner.


It is worth noting that while these security measures provide strong protection against unauthorized access, it is essential for iPhone owners to choose strong and unique passcodes or passwords. This minimizes the risk of brute-force attacks or password-guessing attempts.


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I found my stolen iPhone in Danube river, now it is in Budapest.

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