iPhone 5 stolen but not attached to iCloud, can I find it?

Question

iPhone 5 stolen but not attached to iCloud, can I find it?

So due to an unfortunate series of events, I am out my iPhone 5. I was going to give the phone to my little brother and was meeting him at a coffee shop to give it to him and while I went to get a drink someone took off with it. I removed my iCloud account because I was going to let him set it up so I do not have that attached to the phone. Is there any way that I can look up the serial number of the phone and reattach it to my iCloud? The phone was attached to my iCloud for about 6 months so it should be easy to tell that I had it.

Is it possible for me to lock the phone so that the thief can not use it? Or am I just out of luck on the whole ordeal?

iPhone 5

Posted on May 11, 2014 12:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 11, 2014 12:25 PM in response to DustinBlevins

If you did not have Find My Phone enabled, then you cannot track it.

What To Do If Your iDevice or Computer Is Lost Or Stolen

iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad

If you activated Find My Phone before it was lost or stolen, you can track it only if it is connected to the Internet by Wi-Fi or cellular. 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. iCloud- Use Lost Mode

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

7. 6 Ways to Track and Recover Your Lost/Stolen iPhone

8. Find My iPhone

9. 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