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I’d like to know, if it is still possible to initiate a remote data erase of your iPhone/iPad with the Find My app, when the device is turned off (but the battery is not dead) and the “Find my network” settings have been enabled?
Can the data erase process in this case be initiated, when a random other device closeby communicates with the device, even though the device has no internet connection in power off state?
iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 17
Thanks, but my question was mainly about the “Find my network” functionality.
So can a device, that is turned off, connect to a nearby Apple device with this “Find my network” feature or does it have to be turned on for that?
And if it connects to the Apple network via another nearby Apple device, can this connection initiate the command to erase its data towards the device?
Can the data erase process in this case be initiated, when a random other device closeby communicates with the device, even though the device has no internet connection in power off state?
No
However, when the lost phone is powered "off", it does send out a very brief intermittent Bluetooth signal that might possibly be picked up by another nearby iOS device to forward location information about the lost phone. This assumes that the battery has not run down on the phone.
Frankly, this does not work all that reliably when I've run some tests. Even if the phone might be able to send info about it's location when it is powered off, the phone cannot be erased remotely.
As you know, thieves are fond of placing stolen iPhones in a special type of bag that will not allow the phone to send or receive any signals....no matter whether the phone is powered or not.....so that may be a factor here as well.
Welcome RogerMiller90,
This is something we can definitely assist you with, thanks for posting here.
When you choose to erase your device via Find My, it will proceed in one of two ways; if the device is already online, then the remote erase process will begin immediately. If the device is offline - such as when the battery is dead or the device is powered off - then the erase will begin as soon as the device is brought online again. This article has more info: Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support
We hope that this information gets everything working again.
Many thanks!
Hi RogerMiller90,
When the device is on and connected to a network, this is when the option to delete begins. The Find My Network is available to help you locate your missing iPhone. This information is from Set up Find My on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac - Apple Support
Additional information about the Find My Network is here:
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings> [your name] > Find My.
If you’re asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, tap “Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?” then follow the instructions.
2. Tap Find My iPhone, then turn on Find My iPhone.
3. You can also turn on or off either of the following:
• Find My network: If your device is offline (not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular), Find My can locate it using the Find My network.
On a supported iPhone, turning on the Find My network allows you to locate your iPhone for up to 24 hours after it’s turned off, or up to 5 hours when it’s in power reserve mode.
• Send Last Location: If your device’s battery charge level becomes critically low, its location is sent to Apple automatically.
This is from Add your iPhone to Find My - Apple Support.
Take care.
Possible to erase data remotely when power off?
