Found iPhone 4S

Mirroreddog · Nov 24, 2012, 09:18 AM

Hello,

I found a iphone 4s in a trash can near my work. the phone was ringing loudly with a message on it saying " this iphone has been lost. please call me. 363-6" also has a call button on it. but when I press call I get a recording telling me the number is invalid. There is also a passcode lock on the phone so I can't even check the contacts to call anyone who might be able to get a hold of the owner by other means.
I was wondering if there was any other way of tracking down the owner, maybe through AT&T or apple? Its a long shot but I know these phones are not cheep and would like to see it returned to its owner.

r.j.s · Nov 24, 2012, 09:20 AM

I'd try to leave it on and wait for a call - if the owner sent a message to it, they will likely try to call it.

jessica. · Nov 24, 2012, 09:33 AM

Also see if you can ask Siri who you are. It may work if they didn't disable Siri when the phone is locked.

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 24, 2012, 09:39 AM

In a trash can? Make sure it's not a knockoff. I once found an iPhone in the middle of the street and it turned out to be a very realistic looking knockoff.

Mirroreddog · Nov 24, 2012, 10:00 AM

Phone has been on for 24 hours no other calls.

Not sure how to ask Siri or even if its on. I can only see the lost message screen, passcode input screen and emergence call screen.

The trash can I found it in was out side the MGM casino in Las Vegas. most likely dumped there from a theft.

Tyler23 · Nov 24, 2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirroreddog

Phone has been on for 24 hours no other calls.

Not sure how to ask Siri or even if its on. I can only see the lost message screen, passcode input screen and emergence call screen.

The trash can I found it in was out side the MGM casino in Las Vegas. most likely dumped there from a theft.

Try holding down the home button from the lock screen to bring up Siri. You can ask it who you are, or ask it to call home or mom or dad, you get the idea. A lot of people allow Siri functionality from the lock screen without having to enter a pass code. Definitely worth a shot. If that doesn't work I'd definitely just keep it on and charged in case someone tries to contact it.

Very commendable what you're doing, hope you're efforts to return it won't be in vain!

bogatyr · Nov 24, 2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirroreddog

Phone has been on for 24 hours no other calls.

Not sure how to ask Siri or even if its on. I can only see the lost message screen, passcode input screen and emergence call screen.

The trash can I found it in was out side the MGM casino in Las Vegas. most likely dumped there from a theft.

Hold the home button down to activate Siri. Then you can try asking who you are or try call dad, call mom, etc.

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 24, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogatyr

Hold the home button down to activate Siri. Then you can try asking who you are or try call dad, call mom, etc.

"How to get home" may work if the owner has address listed under his/her contact.

Mirroreddog · Nov 24, 2012, 10:35 AM

no go with holding the home button on the lock screen.

I finally got a hold of a AT&T rep. But just like I thought they have no way of knowing who the owner is. I did find out though the lost message I see should be showing a phone number. I guess the owner put their info in wrong. So let this be a reminder to iphone owners to double check your phone info on lost phone apps. because believe it or not there are still good people out there.

bogatyr · Nov 25, 2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirroreddog

I finally got a hold of a AT&T rep. But just like I thought they have no way of knowing who the owner is.

Weird, if it was Verizon you could take it to a Verizon store and they'll contact the owner and return it to them.

Satnam1989 · Nov 25, 2012, 12:02 PM

Why dont you take out the sim card, put it into your phone...this way at least you can get the phone number so when you contact AT&T you can tell them "hey I found a phone with this phone number and would like to return it to the owner, could you please get in touch with them and have them call me back at xxx-xxx-xxxx number, thanks"

To obtain the phone number you can put it into your iPhone 4/4S if you have one or any other phone with a adapter or a cut-out of a full size sim, go to SETTINGS->Phone on iPhone and its a little different on Android and Windows Mobile.

Leonard1818 · Nov 25, 2012, 12:37 PM

In for resoluton. Nice to see people trying to do the right thing! Thumbs up to you fine sir/madam

ctc799 · Nov 25, 2012, 12:55 PM

If they're using Find My iPhone, there's a chance that they might be finding you instead.

PNutts · Nov 25, 2012, 02:18 PM

OP: Glad you're doing the right thing. I'd drop it off at a police station and move on.

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 25, 2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNutts

I'd drop it off at a police station and move on.

They have better things to do and less incentive to track down its owner than you do.

JackSpearo · Nov 25, 2012, 05:02 PM

Can't you just turn it in to an apple store or something?

sulpfiction · Nov 25, 2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirroreddog

no go with holding the home button on the lock screen.

What do U mean, "no go". What happens? I don't know one person who has Siri disabled from the lock screen. Are u sure ur doing it correctly?

I'd keep it charged and one for a week or 2. If they tried to locate it once, chances are they will try again.

maxsquared · Nov 25, 2012, 06:15 PM

Does it not have a SIM card? Take it out find the number then search the person on Facebook.

PNutts · Nov 25, 2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

They have better things to do and less incentive to track down its owner than you do.

I have better things to do and less incentive to do their job.

But seriously, the OP is wondering what to do and the clock ticks and the owner doesn't have their phone. The police will know what to do, especially if it was a robbery and the owner filed a report.

JayLenochiniMac · Nov 25, 2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNutts

The police will know what to do, especially if it was a robbery and the owner filed a report.

You're giving them too much credit. The police in our area refused to file a report on my wife's behalf when someone stole her laptop (because the loss was under a certain amount). They'll care less about a cell phone.

LapsangSouchong · Nov 25, 2012, 06:43 PM

Thank you for doing the right thing!

Keep trying. Take it to an apple store if you can. There's one in caesars isn't there? They can find the owner.

And it makes my glad my lock screen image is my email address. It says: if found please email....and then my address. I hope, if I ever lose my phone that you're the one who finds it.

725032 · Nov 25, 2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LapsangSouchong

Thank you for doing the right thing!

Keep trying. Take it to an apple store if you can. They can find the owner.

And it makes my glad my lock screen image is my email address. It says: if found please email....and then my address. I hope, if I ever lose my phone that you're the one who finds it.

Hopefully not the same e mail as ur apple id

LapsangSouchong · Nov 25, 2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiPi

Hopefully not the same e mail as ur apple id

:-) nope. But good to mention that.

Nov 24, 2012, 09:18 AM	#1
Mirroreddog macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	Found iPhone 4S Hello, I found a iphone 4s in a trash can near my work. the phone was ringing loudly with a message on it saying " this iphone has been lost. please call me. 363-6" also has a call button on it. but when I press call I get a recording telling me the number is invalid. There is also a passcode lock on the phone so I can't even check the contacts to call anyone who might be able to get a hold of the owner by other means. I was wondering if there was any other way of tracking down the owner, maybe through AT&T or apple? Its a long shot but I know these phones are not cheep and would like to see it returned to its owner.
	2

Nov 24, 2012, 09:20 AM	#2
r.j.s Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Knox	I'd try to leave it on and wait for a call - if the owner sent a message to it, they will likely try to call it. __________________ After the Army: no one can stay forever
	0

Nov 24, 2012, 09:33 AM	#3
jessica. macrumors Nehalem Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wrong girl from the right side of the tracks	Also see if you can ask Siri who you are. It may work if they didn't disable Siri when the phone is locked. __________________ Because I'm an ahole.
	0

Nov 24, 2012, 09:39 AM	#4
JayLenochiniMac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Sanfrakota	In a trash can? Make sure it's not a knockoff. I once found an iPhone in the middle of the street and it turned out to be a very realistic looking knockoff. __________________ Home iMac 27" 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 Work iMac 24" 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme Mobile iPad 2 & iPhone 5
	0

Nov 25, 2012, 12:02 PM	#11
Satnam1989 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Illinois	Why dont you take out the sim card, put it into your phone...this way at least you can get the phone number so when you contact AT&T you can tell them "hey I found a phone with this phone number and would like to return it to the owner, could you please get in touch with them and have them call me back at xxx-xxx-xxxx number, thanks" To obtain the phone number you can put it into your iPhone 4/4S if you have one or any other phone with a adapter or a cut-out of a full size sim, go to SETTINGS->Phone on iPhone and its a little different on Android and Windows Mobile. __________________ Macbook Air 13 1.7GHz 4GB 256GB iPhone 5 32GB Factory Unlocked iPad 4 64GB WiFi
	0

Nov 24, 2012, 10:00 AM	#5
Mirroreddog Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	Phone has been on for 24 hours no other calls. Not sure how to ask Siri or even if its on. I can only see the lost message screen, passcode input screen and emergence call screen. The trash can I found it in was out side the MGM casino in Las Vegas. most likely dumped there from a theft.
	0

Nov 24, 2012, 10:35 AM	#9
Mirroreddog Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	no go with holding the home button on the lock screen. I finally got a hold of a AT&T rep. But just like I thought they have no way of knowing who the owner is. I did find out though the lost message I see should be showing a phone number. I guess the owner put their info in wrong. So let this be a reminder to iphone owners to double check your phone info on lost phone apps. because believe it or not there are still good people out there.
	2

Nov 25, 2012, 12:37 PM	#12
Leonard1818 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2011	In for resoluton. Nice to see people trying to do the right thing! Thumbs up to you fine sir/madam
	0

Nov 25, 2012, 12:55 PM	#13
ctc799 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA	If they're using Find My iPhone, there's a chance that they might be finding you instead.
	1

Nov 25, 2012, 02:18 PM	#14
PNutts macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, US	OP: Glad you're doing the right thing. I'd drop it off at a police station and move on. __________________ Texting driver gets 3-year prison term Texting driver crashes and kills two, injures 38 Show this to your friends and family to help them choose to not text and drive
	0

Nov 25, 2012, 05:02 PM	#16
JackSpearo macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008	Can't you just turn it in to an apple store or something?
	0

Nov 25, 2012, 06:15 PM	#18
maxsquared macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2009	Does it not have a SIM card? Take it out find the number then search the person on Facebook. __________________ iVictim- NOW RETINA READY!
	0

Nov 25, 2012, 06:43 PM	#21
LapsangSouchong macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: the burrows	Thank you for doing the right thing! Keep trying. Take it to an apple store if you can. There's one in caesars isn't there? They can find the owner. And it makes my glad my lock screen image is my email address. It says: if found please email....and then my address. I hope, if I ever lose my phone that you're the one who finds it. __________________ I wish my lawn was emo so it would cut itself. Air, Imac, Black/Slate iPhone 5 (GSM)
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode