how can a stolen iPhone (be online) connect to a network so that the find my phone feature will work when the thieves cannot get past my passcode to turn on the phone
iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.4
You can locate your iPhone by following the instructions here > If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support
This does not answer my question. The phone has been offline (according to the fund my phone app) since it was stolen. My question is about how a iphone locked with a passcode can connect to a network to be online for the app to track it.
Perhaps you mean Lost Mode > iCloud: Use Lost Mode
The phone is already in Lost Mode. My question is more of a technical one. If a phone is in a Lost mode and the thief cannot get past the passcode, how does the phone connect to the Internet to be tracked? My understanding is that the iPhone needs to be fully turned on and have a network in range, use settings to join the network and then be online. How does all these happen when the phone is on Lockdown?
If it's able to prompt for a passcode, then it's physically powered on. If there is an active SIM in it, then it's able to connect to the cellular network without entering the passcode. If it's in range of a known WiFi network, it will connect to that network.
Thank you. Very helpful
KiltedTim, thanks for you response. I'm in a similar situation as OP. Could you help me understand a bit better, though?
My phone was set into lost mode, and as it was located immediately after I lost it. However, I've not been able to get back to the site where I lost it and I'm afraid it's fallen into the hands of someone who wants to keep it!
I suspect the SIM card has been removed, so it doesn't have a 3G network anymore, and it's unlikely to find an open WiFi network to connect to by itself. So if a thief wants it, he just removes the SIM and there's no chance I'll see that baby again?
find my iPhone feature
