Can apple block my stolen iphone??

Yes, I mean the access code. And since your iPhone disables itself (of even deletes itself if you set it up like that) automatically after 10 mistakes, it's impossible to crack a safe passcode.

4pp131n51d3r wrote:

"Search my iPhone" was designed to render your iPhone useless when it's stolen, this means the thief can't get the data from the stolen iPhone if you had a passcode not easily guessable.

I believe your confusing the Activation Lock (associated with Find My iPhone) and the passcode lock for the phone.

The Activation lock uses your Apple ID. It does not, in and of itself, render the phone unusable. It means that, should someone steal your phone and attempt to wipe it, they will need your Apple ID passcode to complete the process. Find My iPhone also enables you to wipe the phone remotely.

The passcode lock will prevent someone from using your phone. It's independent of the Activation lock. While not impossible to crack, it will deter most theives.

Hi, Meg St._Clair.

I did not confuse it. I meant that if crislaleaua did not wipe the phone, the thieves cannot access the phone if it doesnt have a passcode like "1111" or something like that.

Have a nice day,

Chris

If however, crislaleaua did not use a passcode but did have Find My iPhone turned on she could attempt to locate her phone and to wipe it. Even if she cannot do that the thief will not be able to Restore the iPhone and activate it for use.

If they had a passcode activated but not Find My iPhone the thief only has to put the iPhone in Recovery mode and Restore the iPhone in iTunes.

my passcode was not 1111 . but I think that if the thief can not use it, he'll throw it, and I can not find it. You have no idea what network Gypsy thieves exist here in Romania. I'm sorry it was stolen, because I barely had received for my birthday.

Did you have Find My iPhone turned on?

Oh... I understand. I feel bad for you have got stolen the iPhone which you got for your birthday. If your iPhones battery is empty or the thief destroyed the iPhone, I cannot help you here any more.

Thank you so much for your messages. Here in Romania is 00.20 am, and it's time to go. I start my job early. Thanks for your answers. You are very kind. Christine

Turning on Find My iPhone under Settings > iCloud will not automatically enable a passcode. That has to be done elsewhere, either on the device under Settings > General > Passcode Lock, or remotely via www.icloud.com or another iOS using the FMiP app.

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.

You apparently have not kept up lately:

3a. Apple introduced Activation Lock with the introduction of iOS 7. If Find My iPhone is activated on the iPhone then whoever steals the iPhone will not be able to Restore it and use it. Blocking service on a cell phone is a carrier function. Manufacturers have offered to include kill switches but cell carriers have balked at the idea. Apple so far is the only one who has done so.

Indeed. Thanks very much for that update. All cell companies in some countries have cooperating agreements. Their role is important as you say. We received excellent service from Apple, and the cell phone company. If all these stolen phones are completely useless, I wonder why they keep getting stolen?

Yanglorian wrote:

If all these stolen phones are completely useless, I wonder why they keep getting stolen?

Acccording to a criminal defense attorney I know, people often resort to a life of crime because they are not smart enough to get a proper job.

Unfortunately, there's always a fly in the ointment and no software-based lock will hold back a determined thief. On a security forum whose URL escapes me at the time, there was a lively discussion on the developing market for iPhone crackers who can overcome the Activation Lock and restore the stolen device as a marketable commodity. As long as there is no physical and untamperable lock cast in silicon, which is the case of all the iPhone line thus far, someone will find a way in. We can only hope the i6 will include such a protection.