If I remotely erase my iPhone, will it still be usable?

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If I remotely erase my iPhone, will it still be usable?

I bought a 2nd hand iPhone 5c which is on iOS 9.3.1 from an eBay shop. I was able to set it up and restore it from the backup from my previous phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't work properly and now I need to send it back. I've been told by the vendor to wipe the phone before sending it back. The problems I had with it was that it kept switching itself off and now I can't switch it on at all to wipe it. I can't connect it to iTunes either. The vendor has asked me to send it back with my passcode and iCloud password which I'm not willing to do.

My question is: if I remotely erase from "Find my phone" within iCloud (which is switched on for this phone), will it leave the phone in a state where the vendor will be able to use it, assuming he can fix it, but without him being able to access any of my data?

iPhone 5c, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on May 20, 2016 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

May 20, 2016 4:51 PM in response to izzyk

DO NOT send him any pass codes or passwords under any circumstances.

For the remote erase to function, the iPhone would need to be powered up and connected to a network with Internet access. If, when the vendor powers it up, he prevents the device from connecting to the Internet your erase command will not affect the iPhone. If, on the other hand, the iPhone should make a connection to the Internet then yes it should render the Phone inoperable to the vendor. It will be bricked so to speak.

The entire purpose of the remote wipe feature is to render the iPhones useless to a person whole should find or steal them.

Your best bet is to try and power it up yourself and wipe it before you send it back. If he refuses to accept it without you supplying a pass code and password take it up with eBay or PayPal if you paid for it that way.

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