iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off

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Rbaut004 Author

Level 1

6 points

iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off

My iPhone 16 Pro was stolen out of my baby’s stroller. I immediately marked the phone as lost with Find My iPhone.

I already had the following security measures in place:

Apple ID > Find My > Find My iPhone > Find My Network, Send Last Location (Enabled)
Settings > FaceID&Passcode > Control Center , Wallet, and Accessories (Disabled)

With that said, my question remains about this feature below, iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off.

Based on the prompt and my understanding, the Bluetooth and the items enabled when the phone is off the location can be traceable. The thief can’t

Temporarily disable because they don’t have my FaceID or passcode. When I look at my Find My the phone is only registered to the last location before the thief turned the phone off. It has remained in that spot for the past 15+ hours. I feel as though that iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off feature is not pinging the location or its just simply not working? Thoughts?

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Oct 19, 2024 1:27 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

184,064 points

Oct 19, 2024 1:39 PM in response to Rbaut004

The "iPhone Findable after Power Off" feature works just like an AirTag. Even though the iPhone has been powered off, it will still send out a very brief intermittent Bluetooth signal to help broadcast its location details.

But....there needs to be another iPhone, iPad or Mac computer in very close proximity.....up to about 20-25 feet..... to pick up the Bluetooth signal. It really helps to have more than one device close to the lost iPhone as well.

You also need to keep in mind that iPhone thieves are very fond of placing a stolen phone in a special type of small bag.....called a Faraday.....that will not allow the iPhone to either send or receive a signal at all.....no matter whether it is powered on at the time or powered off.

Unfortunately, there is not really anything that you can do about this other than keep checking every few hours to see if status of the phone has changed.

But.....that brings up another issue. Even if the phone shows up on the Find My locator map......what will you do? Certainly you would not try to retrieve the phone yourself and even if someone opens the door when you knock, they will deny that they have ever seen the iPhone that you are looking for.

Our advice......accept the fact that the phone is gone and plan accordingly.

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Answer 2

lkrupp

Level 7

22,021 points

Oct 19, 2024 1:35 PM in response to Rbaut004

Thoughts? Yes, forget about your iPhone. You don’t want to find nor mess with the people who stole it. Even if you find its location don’t go to that location to get it as you could put your life in danger. If you haven’t reported the theft to the police do it now. Don’t expect the police to recover it for you. They’ve got much bigger problems to deal with.

Finally, if you purchased AppleCare+ with your iPhone 16 Pro it is covered for loss and theft.

File a claim if you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage - Apple Support

Did you remote erase your iPhone?

Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Rbaut004 Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 19, 2024 2:55 PM in response to lkrupp

There’s video surveillance with their face in the department store and parking lot. Clearly not going to their location myself but if I had something I’d hand that over that location to the authorities for them to handle. While also understanding that cops have bigger issues to handle but if they are repeat offenders.. could be helpful.

This is definitely organized crime and ruthless criminals. They touched my child and moved his stroller as a distraction while grabbing my phone. Then handed the phone to a secondary person who turned off the phone and quickly exited the store. It was a 2 people job. I’ve accepted that they’ll sell my phone for parts at this rate. Thanks for your concern.

I posted the question more-so regarding the feature: iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off but another user was able to add their input on that. Very likely they placed it in that special bag.

I attempted to but it’s stuck in “Erase Pending.” I was able to disable the Wallet last night.

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Answer 4

Rbaut004 Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 19, 2024 2:40 PM in response to Bob Timmons

That explains it. I was curious how Bluetooth wasn’t pinging with iPhones around. Like what are the chances of that but yeah.. wasn’t aware of those types of bags.

I was thinking this was a flaw in the Apple feature. If I had the location, I could let the authorities know. Thanks for your input

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Answer 5

Oct 19, 2024 3:18 PM in response to Rbaut004

I was thinking this was a flaw in the Apple feature. If I had the location, I could let the authorities know.

Unfortunately, letting them know would be the end of the story, as this would be placed on the back burner by the police. They have far more pressing issues to deal with than a mobile phone.

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iPhone Remains Findable After Power Off

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