Stolen iPhone

[960design]

I always though signed into iCloud and find my phone turned on was pretty much making the phone a paper weight when stolen, even DFU restore would make it activation locked without the apple id password.

You are correct. As long as you do not remove it from your account, ever.

Thieves sell the phone for $50US or so to a 'holder'. They hold the phone for 1 or 2 years, waiting for the user to remove it from their iCloud account at which point they DFU restore it and sell if for the current rate. Very simplified explanation.

 

[wksj]

I always though signed into iCloud and find my phone turned on was pretty much making the phone a paper weight when stolen, even DFU restore would make it activation locked without the apple id password.

You are correct. As long as you do not remove it from your account, ever.

Thieves sell the phone for $50US or so to a 'holder'. They hold the phone for 1 or 2 years, waiting for the user to remove it from their iCloud account at which point they DFU restore it and sell if for the current rate. Very simplified explanation.

Yeah, right, they are going to wait that long. It will be sold for parts most likely.

 

[960design]

Yeah, right, they are going to wait that long. It will be sold for parts most likely.

Often you are correct, but parts are dime a dozen and a logistics pain in the butt to make $50 profit. Waiting a year for the unlock can yield $500US and requires no effort at all.

 

[01silver4]

My iPhone 7plus was stolen at my gym 2weeks ago, was doing squats and I placed my phone on the squat rack turned around to pickup a weight to add to the barbel and someone walk by and pick the phone up by time I noticed the phone was already powered off. It’s in lost mode right now and I am going to leave it that way forever until it shows up. And I will leave it on my account.

Pick up another 7plus 256gb matte black like the one that got stolen, from one of my wife employees for $200 with a crack screen took it to the apple store and paid $149 to get the screen replaced. This will hold me until I get the iPhone x hopefully on launched day.

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Why do people bother stealing iPhones nowadays? Between iCloud and FMiP, wtf can they even do with it?

 

[ssrij]

Why do people bother stealing iPhones nowadays? Between iCloud and FMiP, wtf can they even do with it?

Sell it for parts.

 

[01silver4]

Sell it for parts.

Yep someone told me the may sell it for $40 $949 iPhone 7plus 256gb

 

[AJsAWiz]

A two day hold iPhone 8plus. Don't ask. Lol! I had no say

Not sure what is meant by having no say. I would imagine that your son is an adult (21 or over) and not a minor. Would that be correct? That's the only scenario I could come up with when a parent would have "no say".
[doublepost=1506810098][/doublepost]

I mean what do you do? I'm mad he was careless. But it's not his fault it was stolen. And he's 14. So it's not like he's 10. So, hopefully it'll turn up in the next day or two..... yeah right.

14 and you have "no say" . . . oh my
[doublepost=1506810267][/doublepost]

You must be rich

A 14 year old with a brand new newly release iPhone 8 plus for 799 retail? Hopefully he’s very smart and gets good grades for his parents to buy him brand new iPhones

I would never buy that for a child even if I was wealthy and it wouldn't have anything to do with the child's intelligence or grades.
[doublepost=1506810507][/doublepost]

So what you're saying is, had he been 10 he'd have been on a Nokia flip phone and not a $800+ iPhone 8 Plus?

Wish my parents were as generous as you back in the day.

I don't think so . . . if they had been that frivolous you, most likely would be a different person today. So many parents are too indulgent with their children. They are doing them any favors . . . not preparing them for "life" at all.
[doublepost=1506810557][/doublepost]

He does. But no, not rich. I wish. But effectively kept the same phone bill payment with him upgrading.

So sad
[doublepost=1506810703][/doublepost]

Yeah? so what? That's his business. Not yours.

1. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
2.If someone posts something on the internet . . . it becomes everybody's business and is no longer private.

 

[pat500000]

Not sure what is meant by having no say. I would imagine that your son is an adult (21 or over) and not a minor. Would that be correct? That's the only scenario I could come up with when a parent would have "no say".
[doublepost=1506810098][/doublepost]

14 and you have "no say" . . . oh my
[doublepost=1506810267][/doublepost]

I would never buy that for a child even if I was wealthy and it wouldn't have anything to do with the child's intelligence or grades.
[doublepost=1506810507][/doublepost]

I don't think so . . . if they had been that frivolous you, most likely would be a different person today. So many parents are too indulgent with their children. They are doing them any favors . . . not preparing them for "life" at all.
[doublepost=1506810557][/doublepost]

So sad
[doublepost=1506810703][/doublepost]

1. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
2.If someone posts something on the internet . . . it becomes everybody's business and is no longer private.

opinion or judgemental? I can less what others do even if they lay it out in public. Maybe you should log out.... is that you want to hear? Nope.

Edit: In addition, the OP was asking for help, not being judged.

 

[staggerlee41]

Here's hoping you are able to recover the lost phone. Please keep us posted.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Let's not attack one another. Every one has been a big help. And trust me. More 14 year olds these days have devices then don't. Do I wish it was different, sure. But I like sleeping in my bed too

So if "everybody does it" than that's a valid justification? On my . . .
I don't see any attacks; just people expressing different opinions or points of view which they are entitled to. You, too, are entitled to your opinion and actions.
Live long and prosper.

 

[fischersd]

If it does come online and you're able to narrow it down to a house (rather than an apartment complex), then I'd call the cops and have them meet me there. (provided you're sure it's stolen, not lost).

They either have it off or pulled the sim card out (yet another reason eSIMs in our phones will be better).

 

[960design]

Sell it for parts.

A felony theft to make $50 bucks, seems like a gamble even stupid thieves would not attempt.

 

[ssrij]

A felony theft to make $50 bucks, seems like a gamble even stupid thieves would not attempt.

Search eBay or Craigslist for activation locked iPhones, you’ll be surprised.

 

[960design]

Search eBay or Craigslist for activation locked iPhones, you’ll be surprised.

My god, it's full of stars! WTF! Seems like a detective would just make a little visit and quick arrest for transportation / transfer of stolen goods or at the very least check up on the seller/owner to make sure they were okay.

 

[Newtons Apple]

My iPhone 7plus was stolen at my gym 2weeks ago, was doing squats and I placed my phone on the squat rack turned around to pickup a weight to add to the barbel and someone walk by and pick the phone up by time I noticed the phone was already powered off. It’s in lost mode right now and I am going to leave it that way forever until it shows up. And I will leave it on my account.

Pick up another 7plus 256gb matte black like the one that got stolen, from one of my wife employees for $200 with a crack screen took it to the apple store and paid $149 to get the screen replaced. This will hold me until I get the iPhone x hopefully on launched day.

Have you asked the fitness center to let you look at security camera images. All of these places have cameras everywhere for liability purposes and they would have a video of your phone being stolen.

 

[44267547]

Have you asked the fitness center to let you look at security camera images. All of these places have cameras everywhere for liability purposes and they would have a video of your phone being stolen.

If the iPhone is stolen and a police report is filed, law-enforcement should be investigating any reviewing of possible video, because it's a criminal matter. (Assuming the Police are willing and available to do so.)

 

[Newtons Apple]

If the iPhone is stolen and a police report is filed, law-enforcement should be investigating any reviewing of possible video, because it's a criminal matter. (Assuming the Police are willing and available to do so.)

Thousands of phones are stolen and lost daily. It is a low point in one’s life if you are waiting for the police to investigate a stolen phone.

My neighbors car got hit at the grocery while shopping. The store was able to show my neighbor video of the person, tag number and actual accident and he took it to the police and they did nothing.

I hope you ment that as a joke cause it will not happen.

 

[44267547]

if you are waiting for the police to investigate. I hope you ment that as a joke cause it will not happen.

Wrong. You don't speak for every police department and their services what they provide. I understand larger Police Departments may not be able to assist in certain areas due to call volume and lack of resources. But there are police departments that are proactive and officers will look into the situation, because it's criminal as I said before. And no, my post was not a joke, I wouldn't post something to miss lead somebody either, contrary to what you believe.

 

[fischersd]

Yes, the police thing is hit and miss, but you should still report it - and give the report # to your carrier when you report it to them (so they can have it blacklisted in the GSMA's global database). All ethical carriers should be abiding by that DB, meaning the device won't be useful as a phone again. (Apple's activation lock also means it's no good as an iPod touch)

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yes, the police thing is hit and miss, but you should still report it - and give the report # to your carrier when you report it to them (so they can have it blacklisted in the GSMA's global database). All ethical carriers should be abiding by that DB, meaning the device won't be useful as a phone again. (Apple's activation lock also means it's no good as an iPod touch)

Agree on the police report as it is needed for insurance, if you have it, but expecting the police to actively hunt for a stolen or lost phone is not going to fly.

 

[fischersd]

Agree on the police report as it is needed for insurance, if you have it, but expecting the police to actively hunt for a stolen or lost phone is not going to fly.

I still think Apple should be enhancing the Find my iPhone app to use bluetooth - ala "find my AirPods" in your home.
Then, when you track it down to a home, you could use the bluetooth signal (with the police in tow) to locate the stolen phone in the home.

The police will show up, as you make it clear to them that you're going to confront the thief and they'll be liable for any injuries you sustain if they're unavailable.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I still think Apple should be enhancing the Find my iPhone app to use bluetooth - ala "find my AirPods" in your home.
Then, when you track it down to a home, you could use the bluetooth signal (with the police in tow) to locate the stolen phone in the home.

The police will show up, as you make it clear to them that you're going to confront the thief and they'll be liable for any injuries you sustain if they're unavailable.

That all sounds good but the police are not legally liable for the stupid.

Best thing the OP can do is file a report report the IMEI and go get another phone and move on with life. With the cost of iPhones these days, laying your phone down while in a public area is asking for it.

 

[ABC5S]

Wrong. You don't speak for every police department and their services what they provide. I understand larger Police Departments may not be able to assist in certain areas due to call volume and lack of resources. But there are police departments that are proactive and officers will look into the situation, because it's criminal as I said before. And no, my post was not a joke, I wouldn't post something to miss lead somebody either, contrary to what you believe.

Correct. I was in law-enforcement and if anybody showed me a video of a hit-and-run, even in a parking lot, I am obligated to file a report and give it to the right investigator....they will follow up.

 

[jetsam]

That all sounds good but the police are not legally liable for the stupid.

Correct. The police are not legally required to protect anyone, period. There was a Supreme Court case about this some years ago.