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find my iphone turned on by someone else

This morning, I woke up to find that "find my iphone" had been activated on my phone. I was able to unlock it with my appleID and password, but I'm worried this means my account has been compromised somehow. I purchased the phone new from an authorized retailer over six months ago and this is the first time I've had this problem. Possibly related: I have changed my appleID since I bought and activated the phone, from a defunct @mac.com address to my current email, but didn't change it on the phone, so I can't see it on my page on the appleID portal. Does anyone know what might have happened/what I should do? I've already turned off Find My iPhone and logged out of cloud access until I can figure out how to update the appleID on the phone.

iPhone SE, iOS 10.2

Posted on Mar 31, 2017 2:18 PM

27 replies

Oct 4, 2017 2:39 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

One added note: 2FA verification is not required to put a phone into Lost mode; only the User ID and passcode. That's so you can do so without having access to your verification device. But that's the only thing you can do without 2FA.

You can try this for yourself; log in to iCloud.com from a browser you have never used for it before. You will see the confirmation dialog, but you can still click "around" it to get to Find my iPhone. The only thing it will allow is Lost mode.

ItsMeJC

Level 1

4 points

Oct 4, 2017 7:27 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, I did some experimenting earlier and saw that I could enable the lost mode with just a password, which makes sense because if the 2FA device was lost the feature would be impossible to enable.

To address your earlier comment about Apple/FMiP sending emails, when I was experimenting with the icloud, I did receive emails saying I put my device into lost mode, when it was found, and when I signed into my account on a new device/browser. The emails I received when my account was breached were not phishing/fakes.

Now I just have to figure out how they got my password, which has been changed. Thanks for the replies.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Nov 30, 2017 2:51 PM in response to KathrynGilchrist

KathrynGilchrist wrote:

Happened to me just now. Am I at risk of a stalker finding me or a burglar trying to find out if I am home?

Apple?

Who did you loan it to, they will be the one who turned it on

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Mar 31, 2017 2:21 PM in response to marjoriefromhere

It is not possible to turn FMP on without the phone being in your possession, remote access to that function is not possible. So, is there someone in your house who could have done it?

ckuan

Level 10

120,686 points

Mar 31, 2017 2:21 PM in response to marjoriefromhere

You should not switch off Find My iPhone. It is a security feature against theft.

You can change your password here: https://appleid.apple.com

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Mar 31, 2017 2:35 PM in response to marjoriefromhere

Explain what you mean by "it was activated last night"

What did it do?

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Mar 31, 2017 2:45 PM in response to marjoriefromhere

None of this makes much sense, you are the one who first activated it (turned it on).

I would change your password (turn find my phone off while you do this).

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Mar 31, 2017 2:57 PM in response to marjoriefromhere

Whoever it was used your ID and password, that's why I suggest that you (at least) change the password.

allybur

Level 1

4 points

Sep 23, 2017 6:10 AM in response to marjoriefromhere

This just happened to me last night. I had to reset my password because it had been locked from someone trying to get into my account.

Oct 4, 2017 2:29 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks. I'm definitely presuming someone tried accessing my accounts, as two otherwise independent accounts were involved. Time to rethink my approach to cybersecurity.

Nov 30, 2017 2:44 PM in response to edgaar

Happened to me just now. Am I at risk of a stalker finding me or a burglar trying to find out if I am home?

Apple?

Nov 30, 2017 2:47 PM in response to KathrynGilchrist

What do you mean it "turned on by itself?" The only way to turn on Find my iPhone is on the phone itself. It cannot be turned on remotely.

find my iphone turned on by someone else