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AMHP1

Q: blast from the past

My son fell victim to the "blast from the past" scam in which users reset their iphones to the date Jan 1, 1970 and reboot.  This effectively renders the phone inoperable.  I've been on hold with Apple Support hoping to fix it.  Anyone have any advice?

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 9:55 AM

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Q: blast from the past

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  • by Ingo2711,

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Feb 14, 2016 11:06 AM in response to AMHP1
    Level 7 (25,407 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:06 AM in response to AMHP1

    The only chance to solve that yourself would be putting it into DFU mode and try to restore it again.

     

    Check this user help article about it:

    I set my iOS device to January 1, 1970...

     

    If this does not work, only Apple might be able to get your device back to life again.

    Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:23 AM in response to AMHP1
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:23 AM in response to AMHP1

    He's not the only one but I am curious about one thing.  What is the alleged benefit for doing this?  When someone tries to scam me, there's always an incentive - I'm going to get rich somehow.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 14, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Philly_Phan
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Philly_Phan

    FYI, the one that I've read states that you will see a retro Apple theme. It will show the rainbow Apple and the phrase Think Different. However, given the fact that it requires such a great deal of work, since you cannot just go right back to 1970, it takes 3 or more tries, someone should realize there is something going on wrong.

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:28 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:28 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Thanks.  I haven't seen it (yet).

     

    In the meantime, I'm busy counting my money from the African prince.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 14, 2016 11:33 AM in response to Philly_Phan
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:33 AM in response to Philly_Phan

    The only reason I saw one was from another place I had searched and found a screenshot of one of them. It troubles me that people see these things on Facebook and other social media outlets and are so willing to make these modifications without any research. A single search on Google produces a plethora of news articles and the like warning uses how bad this is and that it will brick the device. I read one of the posts here earlier where someone was telling others that the DFU restore would not work, and he knew this because despite warnings about it bricking the device, he was confident in the DFU restore fix, so he purposely did it to his device. That is just pitiful.

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:34 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:34 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    From what I've seen the bulk of the victims are kids.  I was young once and I even made a mistake or two at that time (none since).

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 14, 2016 11:37 AM in response to Philly_Phan
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:37 AM in response to Philly_Phan

    HA!

     

    I'm in my 60's and still do it regularly.

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:39 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:39 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    I'm in my seventies and, truth be told, I never make misteaks.

  • by AMHP1,

    AMHP1 AMHP1 Feb 14, 2016 11:51 AM in response to AMHP1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 14, 2016 11:51 AM in response to AMHP1

    Update:  We've successfully been able to reset and  then recover from a backup he performed 2 days ago.  I'm thankful we didn't have to resort to an appointment at the Apple store.

     

    I, too, was questioning WHY anyone would do this, but he is 13...  I know my 13yo mistakes were prior to the existence of cell phones or any very sophisticated technology.   He's agreed that he will check with mom and dad before he does anything like this again.  Now he's agreed to help with dinner since I spent a few hours on this project I wasn't anticipating.

     

    Thank you all for your help!

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 14, 2016 11:54 AM in response to AMHP1
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:54 AM in response to AMHP1

    Glad to hear that you got it working. My kids are older now, and it took a while to convince them as well, but I always said, if it sounds too good, it probably isn't true. It never hurts to ask. Have a great weekend, and tell him if that is the worse that he ever does, his life will be great!

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:54 AM in response to AMHP1
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:54 AM in response to AMHP1

    I'm glad that things worked out for you.  Don't be too hard on him.  As we've agreed, we've all been there.

  • by Philly_Phan,

    Philly_Phan Philly_Phan Feb 14, 2016 11:59 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 6 (13,571 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 11:59 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    As each of my children reached the age where they would be somewhat independent at gatherings with other kids, I strongly emphasized one thing to them.  "If you're ever in a situation that just doesn't feel right, call me and I'll come get you immediately and I promise that I'll never ask you what happened."  My older son called me once.  This was some twenty-five years ago and I still don't know what took place.   My younger one never had reason to take me up on the offer.

  • by TJBUSMC1973,

    TJBUSMC1973 TJBUSMC1973 Feb 14, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Philly_Phan
    Level 5 (7,626 points)
    Feb 14, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Philly_Phan

    Philly_Phan wrote:

     

    He's not the only one but I am curious about one thing.  What is the alleged benefit for doing this?  When someone tries to scam me, there's always an incentive - I'm going to get rich somehow.

     

    In this case, the only motivation behind it is 'for the lulz'.  Some people like to prank other people and don't care who it is.   

  • by Ingo2711,

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Feb 14, 2016 1:02 PM in response to AMHP1
    Level 7 (25,407 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 14, 2016 1:02 PM in response to AMHP1

    You're welcome, glad the phone is working again.

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