Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Is there really nothing Apple can do if someone steals your phone?

It's frustrating and infuriating when they stick to a moronic script and set of actions. As you rightly say, there are a multitude of ways to prove your identity, but they are not part of the robotic mantra so they're ignored. Apple should start by banning the use of insincere chants including the most irritating of all 'have a nice day'. Seems tech companies are novices at dealing with these issues compared with banks.
 
Sounds a bit like a random moment of brain-freeze on the advisor’s side for once - and a general low level of understanding on the side of the experiencing owner, in return though a full set of opinions about people in tech support. Not sure that helps in any way either.
A tiny bit more respect would probably be a good start.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire and akash.nu
Hmmm this story seems odd.

If I steal someone’s phone and put my SIM Card in, that doesn’t change the phone number associated with the person’s Apple ID. The number ending in “14” wouldn’t be mine, it would be the owner’s.

Also, I’m not sure how the thief could “hack” the iPhone. I’m sure the person had a passcode on it...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Table Top Joe and chabig
newyorksole said:
Hmmm this story seems odd.

If I steal someone’s phone and put my SIM Card in, that doesn’t change the phone number associated with the person’s Apple ID. The number ending in “14” wouldn’t be mine, it would be the owner’s.

Also, I’m not sure how the thief could “hack” the iPhone. I’m sure the person had a passcode on it...
Click to expand...

Is there a way to “hack” an iPhone or brute force your way past the passcode?
 
newyorksole said:
Hmmm this story seems odd.

If I steal someone’s phone and put my SIM Card in, that doesn’t change the phone number associated with the person’s Apple ID. The number ending in “14” wouldn’t be mine, it would be the owner’s.

Also, I’m not sure how the thief could “hack” the iPhone. I’m sure the person had a passcode on it...
Click to expand...

I agree that it seems odd, but wouldn’t it change the phone number associated with a new sim? At least once it’s unlocked and all that - I’m pretty sure that’s what happens every time you change to a new sim and number/carrier... that said, if there was a passcode I wouldn’t expect that to take place so perhaps he didn’t have one on the old phone .
 
KUKitch said:
I agree that it seems odd, but wouldn’t it change the phone number associated with a new sim? At least once it’s unlocked and all that - I’m pretty sure that’s what happens every time you change to a new sim and number/carrier... that said, if there was a passcode I wouldn’t expect that to take place so perhaps he didn’t have one on the old phone .
Click to expand...

Changing the sim wouldn’t change the trusted number on the Apple account. The person in question just needs to request the authentication code be sent to their trusted number.
 
  • Like
Reactions: newyorksole
HarryWarden said:
Is there a way to “hack” an iPhone or brute force your way past the passcode?
Click to expand...

Yeah with those Greybox devices. So maybe the thief got one of those. Or the passcode was easily guessed. Could go several ways.

KUKitch said:
I agree that it seems odd, but wouldn’t it change the phone number associated with a new sim? At least once it’s unlocked and all that - I’m pretty sure that’s what happens every time you change to a new sim and number/carrier... that said, if there was a passcode I wouldn’t expect that to take place so perhaps he didn’t have one on the old phone .
Click to expand...

If the thief put their SIM Card into the stolen iPhone, their phone number is now active on the phone and can receive calls/texts. However, in regards to the Apple ID/iCloud/2FA account, the number associated is still the original owner’s number.

So if the owner was setting up a new phone and were asked to enter the code sent to phone number ending in “14”, it should still be their phone number.

Unlessss there was no passcode on the phone and the thief changed the number associated with the Apple ID.

It’s interesting. The person who took it must really know what they’re doing.
 
newyorksole said:
Yeah with those Greybox devices. So maybe the thief got one of those. Or the passcode was easily guessed. Could go several ways.



If the thief put their SIM Card into the stolen iPhone, their phone number is now active on the phone and can receive calls/texts. However, in regards to the Apple ID/iCloud/2FA account, the number associated is still the original owner’s number.

So if the owner was setting up a new phone and were asked to enter the code sent to phone number ending in “14”, it should still be their phone number.

Unlessss there was no passcode on the phone and the thief changed the number associated with the Apple ID.

It’s interesting. The person who took it must really know what they’re doing.
Click to expand...

The ‘thief’ wouldn’t be able to use a new sim in the phone because it would be activation locked.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Table Top Joe and chabig
newyorksole said:
That is if the owner actually put their phone into Lost Mode. I would hope that they did.
Click to expand...

Activation lock doesn’t need to be specifically ‘activated’. It will have asked for the Apple ID and password of the owner to be able to activate and use the ‘stolen’ iPhone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chabig
In reading the article, it doesn't appear the owner followed proper security and backup procedures of his phone and account. If he had, he would have been able to remedy the problem (more than likely) instead of going in circles over the phone.

In my opinion, his frustration should be directed inward, instead of towards Apple staff. He is mad they didn't go 'off script' for him. What if they had and the person claiming to be him, really wasn't? I bet he would be livid with Apple for having done so.

Apple isn't perfect. They make mistakes at times. In this instance, I applaud Apple for sticking to policy. The owner of the article needs to learn the definition and proper use of the term "hacking," as his phone was not hacked. If anything was "hacked," it was his common sense and due diligence in keeping his account safe and accessible should a problem arise.

No excuse not to have several trusted backup numbers listed on the account, so that one can access the account.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ericwn, BigMcGuire, ljusmc and 3 others
The iPhone owner who wrote that article is confused in my levels. In addition to those mentioned, he should have out his iPhone in lost mode, and then it wouldn’t receive the 2FA code. Also, the thief can’t do anything to the phone or his iCloud account without the passcode.
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
In my opinion, his frustration should be directed inward, instead of towards Apple staff. He is mad they didn't go 'off script' for him. What if they had and the person claiming to be him, really wasn't? I bet he would be livid with Apple for having done so.
Click to expand...


Yep, if security was such that you could call up and say "but its me!" it would be worthless, the number that appears in your two factor account is the number YOU put in there, as has pointed out this guys phone wasnt hacked, take out the sim and put in another and it won't make a difference if activation lock is on, and it certainly makes zero difference to the apple id itself......this guy clearly wasnt listening to the tech advisor, I used to take customer service and tech calls and the people who ring up can be utterly clueless how any of it works and totally resistant to learning it either and incredibly rude on top. This guy could go to account recovery to get back in, now maybe the tech advisor didn't mention this but id bet my life they did but this idiot was too busy roaring down the phone to pay attention.


I will say this much on Apple security, the wait time for account recovery can be stupid(can take weeks) but Im damn glad its there, I want my stuff as safe and secure as possible and not have security watered down just to make things easier for the morons out there who can't take 5 mins to read instructions

God im glad I don't take tech calls anymore!


EDIT: Just realised he couldn't do Account Recovery as he doesn't know the number, still, I stand by my claim he's the one who put it in there day one, numbers don't just randomly generate in there
[doublepost=1531049713][/doublepost]
HarryWarden said:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2018/07/beware-of-these-words/

I am a longtime owner of Apple products but the above story has got me paranoid that all my stuff can be lost if someone steals my phone. Seems like Apple should be able to do something to remedy such a situation without me losing my stuff.

Anyone have experience with having their iPhone stolen? What did Apple do?
Click to expand...



Do yourself a favour and read through this...
https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT204915


Ill be honest, it can suck for people who have only one device as obviously if you lose that you can be in trouble but there are still ways to cover yourself, basically add a second persons phone number in case you lose it so you have somewhere else to get a code

Now if you have more than one Apple device theres really no excuse not to be covered, make your other devices trusted and your hunky dory. Read the link OP and make sure all the boxes are ticked, Apple are not going to weaken their security for people who can't be bothered to follow simple instructions so people need to be aware of how it works(Im not having a dig at you btw I just mean for people in general)


I have sympathy for older people being bamboozled by this stuff but zero for younger people who've grown up with tech, if your information is that important to you then surely you should educate yourself on how to protect it
 
HarryWarden said:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2018/07/beware-of-these-words/

I am a longtime owner of Apple products but the above story has got me paranoid that all my stuff can be lost if someone steals my phone. Seems like Apple should be able to do something to remedy such a situation without me losing my stuff.

Anyone have experience with having their iPhone stolen? What did Apple do?
Click to expand...


It is your responsibility to make backups and keep your phone locked down with all the security features that Apple offers.

Apple has already given you the tools to keep from losing your “stuff”. It is up to you to take advantage. Thousands of iPhone are lost or stolen every week and Apple is by far ahead of the others when it comes to security/safety.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire and Raist3001
mrochester said:
Activation lock doesn’t need to be specifically ‘activated’. It will have asked for the Apple ID and password of the owner to be able to activate and use the ‘stolen’ iPhone.
Click to expand...

Activation Lock does need to be activated. It’s activated if the owner puts it into Lost Mode or if the thief tries to restore/DFU the phone.

If I steal a phone and put my SIM Card in it, I can now receive calls texts to that phone. And if there’s no passcode on the phone I can do whatever I want, UNTIL the owner puts it into Lost Mode or if I restore/DFU the phone.
 
newyorksole said:
Activation Lock does need to be activated. It’s activated if the owner puts it into Lost Mode or if the thief tries to restore/DFU the phone.

If I steal a phone and put my SIM Card in it, I can now receive calls texts to that phone. And if there’s no passcode on the phone I can do whatever I want, UNTIL the owner puts it into Lost Mode or if I restore/DFU the phone.
Click to expand...

You can't "activate" Activation Lock. While you're right that its engaged when the thief tries to restore it, Lost Mode doesn't turn it on. I think you're conflating terms. And you are also correct that if a new SIM card is placed in the phone you can receive calls, but what are the odds you're going to find a phone with no passcode? That's on the original owner, not Apple. Extreme negligence on the original owner if there was no passcode.
 
ljusmc said:
You can't "activate" Activation Lock. While you're right that its engaged when the thief tries to restore it, Lost Mode doesn't turn it on. I think you're conflating terms. And you are also correct that if a new SIM card is placed in the phone you can receive calls, but what are the odds you're going to find a phone with no passcode? That's on the original owner, not Apple. Extreme negligence on the original owner if there was no passcode.
Click to expand...

Yes my fault. Activation Lock is already on, but if someone doesn’t have a passcode on their phone (which is rare, but there are several holes in this story) then the thief can do as they please.

The fact that she said Apple is trying to send a verification code to a number that isn’t hers is weird. The thief wouldn’t have been able to change the number associated with her Apple ID unless there was no passcode on the phone or if he somehow guessed/hacked the password.
 
The number ending in 14 is likely the trusted number they used (friends, family members, etc) and they just forgot it.

If it was easy to use a stolen iPhone more people would buy them off Craigslist and eBay.
 
HarryWarden said:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2018/07/beware-of-these-words/

I am a longtime owner of Apple products but the above story has got me paranoid that all my stuff can be lost if someone steals my phone. Seems like Apple should be able to do something to remedy such a situation without me losing my stuff.

Anyone have experience with having their iPhone stolen? What did Apple do?
Click to expand...

That story is terrible in terms of who wrote it. 256k phone? Hacked?

Use the tools that Apple gave you and set it up correctly. Remember your passwords and keep the information UP TO DATE. Lastly, have backups. Follow that and you won't have a problem, ever. Someone steals your phone? Put it in lost mode and wipe it. Simple.
 
Yeah, something isn’t right here. Besides, if his MBP is authenticated, he should get the 2FA notice/code there as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back