Phone stolen, put into lost mode, recovered phone - only option is to restore or set up new??

Question

Level 1

5 points

Phone stolen, put into lost mode, recovered phone - only option is to restore or set up new??

Long story short - phone was stolen, some lady bought it at a swap meet, took it home, turned it on, connected to her Wi-Fi, then saw my "Lost Mode" message with my phone # and called me, and returned it. GREAT NEWS!

However, when I login to the lost mode screen (iCloud/iTunes login), I only see the options to either Restore it from an iTunes backup, from a iCloud backup, or set it up as a new phone.

Does this mean that the F$#!% B$#@! that stole it also somehow wiped the phone?

If so, HOW?? DFU mode doesn't work after iOS7. My phone was locked with a passcode and my iCloud account.

Note: I did NOT select the erase/wipe phone option from Find My iPhone. I have (had?) photos on there I really want to get.

iPhone 6, iOS 8.3

Posted on Aug 6, 2015 1:42 PM

Reply

Answer 1

AJ397

Level 6

12,949 points

Aug 6, 2015 1:52 PM in response to sludgepickle

The device hasn't been wiped thanks to a feature introduced in iOS 7 called activation lock. It prevents exactly that from occurring. Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support

From the Apple website:

How do you turn off or cancel Lost Mode?You can turn off Lost Mode by entering the passcode on your device. You can also turn off Lost Mode on iCloud.com or from the Find My iPhone app.

Read the info on this link:If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

sludgepickle Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Kappy

So you're saying once it goes into Lost Mode, even the owner can't get back into the actual phone to see apps, photos, etc? It has to be restored from backup? Why would Apple do it that way? Are my non-backed-up photos inaccessible even though they're physically still stored on the iPhone hard drive?

Reply

Answer 3

AJ397

Level 6

12,949 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:15 PM in response to sludgepickle

More detailed instruction from Apple website:

Lost Mode or change your contact info

You can turn off Lost Mode by entering the passcode on the device, or by following the steps below. You can also follow the steps below to change the contact information displayed on your lost device.

Note: If your credit and debit cards for Apple Pay were suspended because you put your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus in Lost Mode, when you turn off Lost Mode and sign back in to iCloud, you can resume using your cards.

Sign in to Find My iPhone on this device with your Apple ID (the one you use with iCloud).
In the Devices list, tap the device that’s in Lost Mode.
In portrait orientation, tap the arrow , then tap the device that’s in Lost Mode. In landscape orientation, tap the device.
Tap Actions, then tap Lost Mode .
Change the contact information, or tap Turn Off Lost Mode.

Reply

Answer 4

sludgepickle Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:10 PM in response to AJ397

Can't 'turn off' Lost Mode. When going to Find My iPhone online, it just says 'lost mode pending' and shows the phone "offline"...but there's no "turn off lost mode" option as you suggest.

Reply

Answer 5

AJ397

Level 6

12,949 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:12 PM in response to sludgepickle

Is your phone connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data?

Reply

Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Aug 6, 2015 1:51 PM in response to sludgepickle

No. It means that anyone who tries restoring it must either have a usable backup or must restore it as new. That includes the real owner. Lost mode is a security setting. It prevents anyone who attempts to use the device from gaining access. If you have a current backup, then restore it. If needs be you can try using data recovery software for your photos and such: You might try something like iMazing 1.2.2.

Reply

Answer 7

sludgepickle Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:21 PM in response to AJ397

It looks like when I click on the Lost Mode option, it just gives me the option to turn on Lost Mode, not turn it off. I never turned it off, however I did just have AT&T initiate the removal of the phone from the carrier blacklist. It does however say that it is in "Lost Mode Pending" and that it will go into lost mode when it connects to the internet. But I as well as the person who found it have already connected it to Wi-Fi...why would this message still be on Find My iPHone?

It seems to me like it's still in some kind of locked state, maybe I wait until the blacklist removal is complete? She said that part would be done by tomorrow so I can move my phone # back to the phone on a new SIM.

Reply

Answer 8

sludgepickle Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2015 1:30 PM in response to sludgepickle

I've concluded that DFU mode does still work post-iOS7, anyone can wipe the phone data...the only thing they can't do is remove the link between the iPhone and the iCloud account. So the thief definitely put it into recovery mode to wipe the phone...

Reply