iPhone stolen – what to do? The most important steps right now
· TR Vertriebs GmbH
iPhone stolen or lost? How to lock, locate and report your device correctly – and the role your IMEI number plays.
A stolen or lost iPhone is a shock at first – but the first few minutes decide whether you can protect your device and your data. The key is to stay calm and act in the right order: locate, lock, report. This guide gives you the concrete steps that actually help.
First, try to locate the device. With Apple's Find My you can see your iPhone's current location on iCloud.com or from another Apple device – as long as it is on and online. Even the last known position can help the police with the search.
Then immediately enable Lost Mode. It locks the iPhone with your passcode, shows a message with a callback number on the lock screen and disables Apple Pay. Even if a thief resets the device, the Activation Lock (Find My iPhone) keeps it tied to your Apple ID, making it effectively useless to strangers.
File a police report. You will need your device's IMEI number for it – it uniquely identifies your iPhone. If you didn't write it down, you can find it on the original box, the invoice, or in your Apple account under your devices. Always note your IMEI at purchase.
Report the theft to your mobile carrier. Have the SIM card blocked so nobody runs up charges in your name. Important: explicitly ask the carrier to block the IMEI as well. This places the device on the international blacklist and cuts off access to mobile networks – often across borders.
Next, secure your accounts. Change your Apple ID password so no one can access iCloud, photos, mail or the App Store. Remove stored cards from Apple Pay and make sure sensitive apps (banking, email) are additionally protected. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already.
As a last resort you can erase your iPhone remotely. This protects your data for good – but the device can no longer be located afterwards. Only use this option once you've given up hope of recovery or particularly sensitive data is at stake. The Activation Lock stays active even after erasing.
For the future: note your IMEI (dial *#06#) and keep it separate from the device, always keep Find My on, and use a secure passcode. And if you buy a used phone yourself: check the IMEI beforehand to see whether it's reported stolen – a flagged device is worthless to you.