Newsroom Update
Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android. Learn more >
Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android. Learn more >
By accident I bought a iPhone 11 Locked to Owner. I paid a reasonable market price, but I think it was stolen. Can I return the iPhone to the original owner by contacting him/her? Is there a way to send them a message? I already informed the police.
Unless there is a message on the screen letting you know who to contact if this iPhone was found, there is no way for you to contact the rightful owner of the phone.
Since there is NO WAY you can use this iPhone, either recycle the phone responsibly, or turn it over to the local authorities as it's possible the owner filed a stolen report.
Otherwise, the phone is useless to you. Apple does not get involved in lost or stolen devices.
This is an unfortunate buying decision. If you can't see the iPhone before you buy it and know it opens to the Hello Page, NEVER buy a used iPhone from ANYONE.
Read this link too --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community
Unless there is a message on the screen letting you know who to contact if this iPhone was found, there is no way for you to contact the rightful owner of the phone.
Since there is NO WAY you can use this iPhone, either recycle the phone responsibly, or turn it over to the local authorities as it's possible the owner filed a stolen report.
Otherwise, the phone is useless to you. Apple does not get involved in lost or stolen devices.
This is an unfortunate buying decision. If you can't see the iPhone before you buy it and know it opens to the Hello Page, NEVER buy a used iPhone from ANYONE.
Read this link too --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community
Your only hope of getting your money back is to return it to the seller.
You're also not talking to Apple here. This is a user-to-user help forum. We have no idea who you got the phone from. And if you don't know how to send them a message, then we certainly don't.
JorisfromGroningen wrote:
Can I return the iPhone to the original owner by contacting him/her?
That's between you and the owner ... assuming you can figure out how to contact that person. Apple cannot help you there.
Yes, I learned an expensive lesson. The seller presented the phone to me in the language installation screen (already turned on). I was not informing myself enough upfront and assumed this was only possible with an lock free phone. So the tip is, Always lock the phone with the side button and turn it back on. Make sure you don't see the Locked to Owner message.
My only hope was that I was able to send a message to the rightful owner telling him/her the phone is ready to be returned. Since there is a partial iCloud account shown (G****@gmail.com), I was hoping to be able to send email to this account (maybe without disclosing the full account name) to inform the owner.
Now I informed the police and posted an advert on the most famous trading place telling the iphone is looking for its owner. Maybe somebody will get lucky.
I just lost 20 euro, but will survive.
That will be extremely difficult. Apple will not help you find the owner. Even if they could match up the serial number with someone, that doesn't mean the original owner didn't sell it to someone else afterwards. Plus, it would be a violation of federal privacy laws for Apple to give you that information.
JorisfromGroningen wrote:
Sorry, that was a Typo. I lost 250 euro.
I agree that I would have been an idiot to assume a phone like that would by 20 euro.
OK....that seems more realistic. I'm afraid the chances of you finding the rightful owner, is very very very slim. But good on you for wanting to help someone out. Especially knowing you're out a good sum of money.
Return it to whoever you bought it from and get your money back.
Apple can't help you contact the original owner.
I’m sorry this happened to you. For the future, please read the article below before purchasing any second hand Apple device:
The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community
An iPhone 11 is sort of old, but asking only 20 Euro's for it should have been a tipoff something was up.
You're VERY lucky you only lost 20 Euro. Which should have been a big clue to begin with. It should have cost QUITE a bit more if it was a legitimate iPhone ready for a new owner and in good shape.
Sorry, that was a Typo. I lost 250 euro.
I agree that I would have been an idiot to assume a phone like that would by 20 euro.
Ah, that made it more convincing. Sorry though you got stuck with a phone you can't use.
Hoping to find the original owner, so that some good will come from it.
Making somebody happy may be worth the 250 euro :-)
By accident I bought a iPhone 11 Locked to Owner.
