as it is so easy to bypass and reset a lost phone

can it be tracked by serial number? I am no IT pro but seems once it is registered we should be able to stop a thief

iPhone 5

Posted on Sep 4, 2013 11:41 AM

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Posted on Sep 4, 2013 11:45 AM

Nope only way to track or try to locate the phone is if location services was turned on and in the iCloud setting find my device was turned on. That way you could go to www.icloud.com and sign in with the same apple id you used to sign into icloud.


Also the device needs to be on and connected to a wi-fi service or the data service from a service provider.

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Sep 4, 2013 11:45 AM in response to serial number tracking

Nope only way to track or try to locate the phone is if location services was turned on and in the iCloud setting find my device was turned on. That way you could go to www.icloud.com and sign in with the same apple id you used to sign into icloud.


Also the device needs to be on and connected to a wi-fi service or the data service from a service provider.

Sep 4, 2013 12:21 PM in response to KiltedTim

yeah does no good oh well I left in a cab in Chicago it made it about 6 blocks before they turned it off. I did all the locks and lost stuff but they can bypass all that pretty easy and erase all trace of me but the serial number. I think that is a huge loop whole Apple and Itunes should disable them unless the original owner gives some sort of a sold statement or something.

Sep 4, 2013 12:54 PM in response to KiltedTim

atcually my car is trackable by GPS even if it is not on? Not sure why you are being hostile or seem to be upset I have not said anything against Apple, and I will buy another phone iphone Love it I am only stating an obvious fact and also now that you mention it any car would be trackable unless it was driven without ever getting tags or ins. Vin numbers have to be transfered via a Notary or you can not get a title.

I believe I also saw you being quite nice when I was watching how to unlock a locked phone, you basicly told the young lady she was a thief for finding the iphone (LOL) I agreed with you and thought you a nice fellow.

Sep 5, 2013 10:23 AM in response to serial number tracking

It will say offline.


The iOS 7 feature is already resulting in forum posts that say "I bought a used iPhone from [ebay,craigslist, guy on the back of a truck] and it asks for the owner's Apple ID and password to activate it. What do I do?" And the answer is "use it for a paperweight." So far no one has been able to crack this feature.


As iOS 7 is not yet released, in addition to this issue most of these phones have illegal beta copies of iOS 7, although a few may have been stolen from developers, who can have it legitimately.

Sep 5, 2013 11:59 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

awesome I am just trying to decide if the phone has been restored to original factory would I still get a device offline in the find my phone tracking, or is it still turned off and maybe still lost in cab and not found yet? Hate to buy another then get it back. I did also leave it in Vegas and got it mailed back to me believe it or not (LOL) I am a total blonde

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as it is so easy to bypass and reset a lost phone

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