Can apple block my stolen iphone??

As often happens, a good part of the Rest of the World has already done so. There is an international IMEI database for stolen phones and most carriers outside the USA will refuse to connect a phone listed there. In some countries, this has helped drop phone theft over 70%.

But the ethnocentric, lawyer-happy, litigation-prone USA always thinks different and has to go its own reinventing boiled water. But take heart. It seems you'll be getting a similar database soon. Then maybe, in a decade or two, the USA may finally end up merging with the international database.

If we haven't died of Global Warming by then....

My iphone was stolen too.. today! And as the original user, I WANT MY REVENGE!!!

The problem with the IMEI and other blacklisted identifications numbers is that they are not worldwide. There are organizations who can sell the stolen phones in other countries without these especific regulations. And they worth a lot.

The only way to ensure the device I PAID FOR is not used anymore, anywhere, is blocking it from the source: APPLE SERIAL NUMBER

Apple should create its own database and users can report to BLOCK the serial number. So second hands cannot connect the phone to itunes neither via wireless nor connected to a computer.

Rather to think in other phone options right now, I would consider to buy a new iPhone just the plesure (and security) that if this happens me again, the bugler would have a worthless piece of plastic

No.

What To Do If Your iDevice Is Lost Or Stolen

What you cannot do is track your device using a serial number or other identifying number. You cannot expect Apple or anyone else to find your device for you. You cannot recover your loss unless you insure your device for such loss. It is not covered by your warranty.

If your iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, or iPad is lost or stolen what do you do? There are things you should have done in advance - before you lost it or it was stolen - and some things to do after the fact. Here are some suggestions:

1. Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product

2. <Link Edited By Host>

3. AT&T. Sprint, and Verizon can block stolen phones/tablets

4. What-To-Do-When-Iphone-Is-Stolen

5. What to do if your iOS device is lost or stolen

6. 6 Ways to Track and Recover Your Lost/Stolen iPhone

7. Find My iPhone

8. Report Stolen iPad | Stolen Lost Found Online

It pays to be proactive by following the advice on using Find My Phone before you lose your device:

1. Find My iPhone

2. Setup your iDevice oniCloud

3. OS X Lion/Mountain Lion- About Find My Mac

4. How To Set Up Free Find Your iPhone (Even on UnsupportedDevices)

According to the presentation at WWDC, with the introduction of iOS 7 in the fall, Find My iPhone will now include the feature that once you've turned it on, you must be able to input your icloud password in order to turn it off. You will also need the password in order to activate the phone if the feature was turned on. It still has to be on and connected to a network in order for these Find My iPhone to be active, but that is a limitation of any electronic device transmitting a location signal - not just iphones. Obviously, this still is not a kill switch for the hardware of the device, because that would never happen, but hopefully it will quell your anxiety some

http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7/features/

Hi, I am replying to this post as it is the most recent regarding lost phone and new hardware (5 series) and software (iOS 7) has changed inputs on this topic. I am just a regular user.

1. For all those who have lost their iphone, had it stolen (even at gunpoint as some mention in this string) it is indeed an anxious time and you are looking for quick answers, wondering where your photos are, and the security of the data on your iphone.

2. Here a apple support link that is useful: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2526?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US also look on the right margin of this page for other related apple support links.

3a) Thanks as well to all the multipoint apple community users who do answer practical user sofware and hardware questions, but this question "Can apple block my stolen phone?" is worded in a way that sort of answers itself -strangely. The question perhaps should be "Will apple block my phone?" And there we go beyond what can be expected of a volunteer community to answer legal questions as some have pointed out in there own way.

3b) Points made earlier in string about how this (blocking access, not getting phone back) would be technically feasible are also valid. Apple is not simply "a manufacturer" and nor are the other os' phones. So yes, my thoughts are that they should do everything possible to cut down on device theft by using virtual denial of access to their respective app, tune, care servers while cross referencing IMEI blacklists - they track all other aspects of phone use. So spare me the "it can't be done" stuff. At one point in history auto manufacturers did not "want" to add seatbelts - look that up if you want.

4. After contacting your phone carrier and seeing if they have a I.M.E.I. blacklist procedure (varies by carrier, country ), then contact apple support by phone or attend in person to an apple store and ask genius bar staff to give you answers for your particular case.

5. For those readfing this who have not lost or had their phones stolen yet, i encourage you to back up your iphone, especially on icloud if you have access to it. See Find my Phone settings as well.

6 In our case the photos, calendar, and notes were backed up - however that was not immediately aparent when we logged onto icloud from a pc.

Take care all and thank you for backing up your phones and supporting safer options of device management that would certainly deter theft crime of iphones and other devices.

I didn't say Apple have to do what the law eforcement agencies have to do; but as other companies, could add some measures to tackle this "social problem". And if they do it first, is my impression, they would have the advantage over other manufactures. (Consolidating clients)

Perhaps there will be some legal issues here, but I think shouldn't prevail over public (client) befenit.

I'm writing from Venezuela. Here smartphone robberies, as in the US, has become a big issue. I was pointed with a gun to handle my phone. Perhaps in other countries will not be that violent than here, but in the essence is the same. Re-think strategies and joint efforts to fight this type of crime organizations. (Worldwide)

Coincidentally, today I read a news from District Attorney of San Francisco and New York Attorney general asking for a "kill switch".

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/06/05/us-officials-call-on-apple-google-othe rs-to-help-stop-smartphone-theft

I think this article resume what original poster an I we are asking for. Our thoughs are (jocking about our "personal revenge") is how companies could do to prevent from happening again.

All my support to the KILL SWITCH mode.

Regards,

Juan

apple supports your device, not the owner of the device. as long as it's within warranty, a device can be serviced no matter who has it. It's the same for the limited warranty that comes with an xbox, a camera, and a microwave. what you're talking about is blocking of service which apple literally has nothing to do with. if you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at your carrier.

The problem is not about warranty. My iPhone was ok. Apple makes great phones and products, and barely had problems with them

The service provider has an important role in this discussion, no question about it. But my line was cancelled and IMEI number blocked within that service provider; which doesn't mean the thief can use it in another one.

Currently, my country is working with a integrated IMEI Database to block all stolen smartphones, but again this is very difficut when you go overseas

Very frecuently US stolen phones goes to mexico; Mexico to Venezuela; Venezuela to Colombia and so on. As they are expensive gadget, crime organizations will see here an opportunity to encourage this type of crime

I will try to summaraize my legal point of view here (I'm a lawyer) and try to summarize this to not get you bored with legal stuff

The stolen phone is (was) my property. I PAID for its hardware and software. The property as a legal concept implies 3 things. The Right to Use it; The Right to Enjoy it; and the Righ to Dispose the object

As I cannot Use it (make phone calls); Enjoy it (lend it; sell it); (all this without my express consent); and want to DISPOSE IT (Destroy it) and make sure nobody else enjoys what I paid for.

The problem is: I cannot do this; not without a KILL SWITCH to activate the destruction of my property remotely.

Far beyond this legal issue; is thinking big and getting involve in how big corporations such as Apple (also Microsoft; Google; Sony, etc) can tackle crime organizations, who makes dirty money with stolen gadgets.

I don't blame Apple for not having this; I am suggenting to do it so. As we speak, I am buying a new iPhone; but for me; I would seriously be persuated to a company who can offers this; because is understanding they can makes difference is social responsabilities and perhaps saving lives. I'll be delighted if Apple is the FIRST company to understand this.

All my support to New York and San Francisco's District Attorneys.

Hope the petition of a KILL SWITCH goes woldwide.

Regads,

Juan

juaneduardof wrote:

Hope the petition of a KILL SWITCH goes woldwide.

I would never buy a phone with a kill switch unless I had no other option. What if someone makes a mistake and kills my phone when it wasn't stolen? What if the government starts demanding phone companies kill phones (go look at CNN today)?

You're phone is gone. Buy a new one and move on.

"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

I honestly have no idea how any company could provide a way for you to destroy your property remotely if it's stolen. you can certainly protect your digital property (which is really just a legal right to use the software, not to own it - from the terms and conditions) by changing your password, but to destroy the hardware so the device couldn't even be used as a glorified ipod touch by the thief? No idea. Send your feedback to someone that can attempt to make you happy

apple.com/feedback

Certainly we can start a new discussion about "How safe would be a Kill Switch in terms of destroy a phone without the concent of the owner". Good point. I'm sure there are mecanism (and more accurate in near future) to ensure this

Perhaps the solution is not "Destroy Software / Hardware".

Simply with report iPhone's Serial Number and DENY ACCESS to itunes in order to prevent dowload content / apps to a reported stolen phone would do its purpuse.

Again, the big picture here is how big corporations can cooperate to a increasing social issue.

What happens in the US, is happening worldwide.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/phone-makers-urged-thwart-theft-article-1.13 63294

My simple point of view I see this a an important iniciative. And I'll be delighed if Apple takes iniciative, and why not advantage of it

I agree. Apple needs a way for people to report their iXXX serial number and then if that device ever connects to iTunes block it. That will render the device useless and deter theft in the first place. The simple way to unblock it would be to provide your apple id password and/or some other security question. What are the legal issues preventing Apple from doing this?

amametes wrote:

this is ********...how can you insure that your customer is protected with thief..

Surely when your BMW/Cadillac/Mercedes gets stolen, you call the maker and the car magically gets recovered?

Good evening Cipril. You managed to recover the phone? If so, tell me how you did to get it back. .
My iphone was stolen also Sunday evening 04.05.2014. Please help me and tell me how to block it, and not be used by the person who stole it. What chances do I have to recover? thank you . Cristina Ignat