If my iPod touch was lost or stolen, can someone else wipe it without the passcode?

Question

Level 1

9 points

If my iPod touch was lost or stolen, can someone else wipe it without the passcode?

I haven't been able to find my iPod touch since my nephews were here about 5 weeks ago. Odds are, it's just lost here in the house with a dead battery. I've tried to use the find my iPhone app and it hasn't found it yet. It's always offline. On the off chance that it landed in sticky hands, can they wipe it clean without the passcode? Can I still track it with the serial number? Just curious....

iPod touch (3rd generation), iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Sep 2, 2013 4:29 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,173 points

Sep 2, 2013 4:32 PM in response to Vle045

Yes, anyone can wipe it clean. A serial number is not used to track it. You must have used Find My Phone to track it.

What To Do If Your iDevice Is Lost Or Stolen

If you activated Find My Phone before it was lost or stolen, you can track it only if Wi-Fi is enabled on the device. 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:

This link, Re: Help! I misplaced / lost my iPhone 5 today morning in delta Chelsea hotel downtown an I am not able to track it. Please help!, has some good advice regarding your options when your iDevice is lost or stolen.

1. Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product

2. Find my lost iPod Touch

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)

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Answer 2

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,407 points

Sep 2, 2013 4:32 PM in response to Vle045

They can restore it and use it as their own.

You cannot track it, other than using icloud/find my ipod

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Answer 3

Vle045 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 2, 2013 4:44 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks. I do have "find my iPhone" on it and it has been offline since I lost it. I selected for the app to alert me when it's connected. My best guess is that one of us put it up to keep it out of sight and we just don't remember where. I remember taking it from one of the boys and asking my hubby to put it in a safe place. It wouldn't be the first time that happened. I lost something for a year before because it was out of my view and I forgot where I put it. LOL

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