Pr4L

Q: track stolen iphone

Hi There,

 

My cousin just bought a new iPhone, and long story short; It got stolen in the middle of busy city centre.

 

The question is; Is there any possibility of tracking the phone while it's off or track it as soon as it is activated (turned on). Even if the Find my iPhone isn't activated by the thief?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Jul 18, 2016 11:46 AM

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Q: track stolen iphone

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  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 11:48 AM in response to Pr4L
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 11:48 AM in response to Pr4L

    And apparently i posted this in the wrong section, sorry bout that ..

  • by ChrisJ4203,Apple recommended

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 18, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (59,034 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Pr4L

    The thief is not the one that would be activating Find My iPhone. That has to be activated by the owner before the device is lost. Find My iPhone is turned on in Settings.

     

    If the phone is off, then it cannot be tracked. See this support document for more instructions on what to do if your device is lost or stolen.  If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support

  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 12:05 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:05 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    I understand that. But if the thief turns on the phone, starts using it without activating FMI, is it still possible to track the phone though?

  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Pr4L

    'Find My iPhone is the only way that you can track or locate a lost or missing device. If Find My iPhone isn't enabled on your device before it goes missing, there is no other Apple service that can find, track, or otherwise flag your device for you.'

     

    I think this answers the question after reading that link .. Thanks for your help anyways. Much appreciated.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 18, 2016 12:10 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (59,034 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:10 PM in response to Pr4L

    If the thief turns the phone to start using it, Find My iPhone is activated. It does not require any action by the thief.

     

    Three things need to happen for you to be able to track an iPhone.

    1. Find My iPhone has to have been turned on before the device is lost/stolen.
    2. The device needs to be powered on.
    3. The device needs to have an active connection to the Internet, either cellular or wi-fi.

     

    If any of those is not present, you cannot track the device. I'm not sure where you though that the thief had the option to activate or not activate Find My iPhone, but they do not. The only thing they would have control of is power and Internet connectivity.

  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 12:25 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:25 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Huh? You kinda lost me there. It's probably my lack of general knowledge about Apple, but I was always had the understanding that the user was the one to decide whether FMI is used or not?

     

    And if it is activated automatically, if the person turns it off after it being activated automatically. Is there after that a way to track it?I guess not?

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 18, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (59,034 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Pr4L

    Pr4L wrote:

     

    the user was the one to decide whether FMI is used or not?

     

    if the person turns it off after it being activated automatically. Is there after that a way to track it?I guess not?

    Yes, you as a user are the one that logs in and activates Find My iPhone when you activate your phone the first time. You turn it on in Settings.

     

    You have the option to turn it off in Settings if you wish, but if you do, then you are right, there is no way to track the device. Once it is turned on, to turn it off you need to have the password for iCloud to disable it. Obviously, the thief would not have this, so they cannot turn off Find My iPhone. They can only turn off the phone. But if they leave the phone on, or if they turn it on and it connects to the Internet, then you will be notified and can track the device.

  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 12:31 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:31 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Yes, I understand that.

     

    Maybe i forgot to note that the phone has not been on yet. It has not been through the installation proces of putting an Apple ID on it or anything. It was stolen completely sealed in the box.

     

    Knowing that, without any existing information or Apple ID information on the phone, does that change anything?

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Jul 18, 2016 12:34 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (55,995 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 18, 2016 12:34 PM in response to Pr4L

    No. There is no way to track it at all if it hadn't even been set up yet. It's gone. Check with your homeowners or renters insurance to see if you're covered at all.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 18, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (59,034 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Pr4L

    Yes, it changes things very much so. There is no way to track that device whatsoever. If it was still sealed in the box, no method of tracking it exists, even if the thief turns it on to activate it. They will be able to turn it on, insert and SIM and activate it. There is nothing at all you can do except report the incident to the police, and give them the serial number (if you have it). That would give them a number to compare any turned in or recovered devices.

  • by Pr4L,

    Pr4L Pr4L Jul 18, 2016 12:39 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:39 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    That's what I was afraid about .. I don't have the SN of his phone, the receipt was in the bag as well, but the store where we bought it surely has it registered somewhere ..

     

    Thanks for the replies, appreciate your help.

     

    Cheers

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 18, 2016 12:41 PM in response to Pr4L
    Level 9 (59,034 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2016 12:41 PM in response to Pr4L

    You're welcome. Sorry for the loss. Yes, the store should have a record of the sale, including the serial number. If this was purchased with a credit card, it is possible that credit card has some protection against theft, and may be able to refund some of your money. I would check with them. Take care.