No, you cannot track an iPhone that has not been activated. An iPhone needs to be activated in order to connect to the internet and be accessed by other services, such as GPS and tracking systems. If an iPhone has not been activated, it cannot receive any signals and thus cannot be tracked by any means.
Furthermore, iPhones also come with built-in safety measures, such as Find My iPhone, that require activation in order to be accessed. This means that even if a malicious person were to gain access to the phone, they would not be able to track it until it has been activated.
Can a stolen Apple product be tracked by Apple?
Yes, a stolen Apple product can be tracked by Apple if you have enabled Find My iPhone or Find My Mac on the device prior to it being stolen. Find My iPhone/Mac is Apple’s service which uses the iCloud feature to locate, lock or erase data from a lost or stolen Apple device.
It also displays the device’s location on a map and can be used to send messages to the device or play a sound. As long as Find My iPhone/Mac is enabled, Apple can track the device anytime the device is connected to the internet.
Additionally, iPads and iPhones running iOS 13 have the Activation Lock feature which makes it very difficult for a thief to use or resell the device.
What can thieves do with stolen iPhone?
Thieves can do a variety of things with a stolen iPhone. Depending on the level of malicious intent and technical skills of the thief, they could use it to access personal information stored on the device.
This could include accessing confidential emails, text messages, or banking information. If the phone is unlocked, they could also use the device to make calls, collect personal data such as contacts and photos, or install malicious software on the device.
If they are savvy enough, they may even be able to access the iCloud and Apple account associated with the device. Thieves may also be able to unlock and use the device as their own by using stolen connection credentials.
They could then use the device to access the internet, send text messages and make calls. Ultimately, stolen iPhones can be used for anything from an innocent prank to a serious criminal act, so anyone with an iPhone needs to be vigilant about the risks.
How can I Find My stolen brand new iPhone?
Finding a stolen brand new iPhone can be a difficult process, but if you act quickly and follow these steps, you may be able to locate and recover it.
1. Contact your wireless provider. Contact your wireless service provider to inform them that your iPhone has been stolen. Your provider will be able to add it to a blacklisting database which will make it very difficult for the thief to use your device.
2. Contact local law enforcement. Report the theft to local law enforcement. They may be able to provide you with information on stolen iPhones in the area or refer you to the proper authorities in your state.
3. Track your phone. The Find My iPhone feature allows you to locate and track your iPhone in real-time. This feature must be enabled prior to your iPhone being stolen and is available on a number of Apple devices.
4. Locate the nearest Apple Store. Contact the nearest Apple Store to inquire if your stolen iPhone has been brought in. Apple technicians have software that can determine if the device is stolen and will be able to work with the police to track down the thief.
5. Consider using a third-party recovery app. If you can’t find your stolen iPhone using Find My iPhone or other tracking measures, consider using a third-party recovery app such as Prey or Lookout to locate it.
6. Consider insurance. If all else fails, consider obtaining phone insurance to protect against theft or loss. Depending on your provider, you may be able to replace your stolen iPhone at a discounted rate.
Can a brand new phone be tracked if stolen?
Yes, a brand new phone can be tracked if stolen. If a phone has a built-in GPS or tracking program, it can be tracked. Additionally, many mobile phone companies offer tracking services as part of their service plans.
For example, Apple’s “Find my iPhone” feature allows users to locate and track their iPhones if it has been stolen. There are also third-party apps that can be installed that can track a stolen phone, although some may require a subscription fee.
Finally, some law enforcement agencies are able to track phones using the phone’s IMEI number. Following these steps can help increase the chances of a stolen phone getting recovered.
What happens if my Apple package is stolen?
If your Apple package is stolen, the best thing to do is contact the courier or shipping service you used to send and receive the package, as well as local law enforcement and the nearest Apple Store.
They may be able to track the package and help you locate it and the stolen goods. If it cannot be located, you may want to file a police report and an insurance claim with the courier, as they may be able to reimburse you for a portion of your losses.
Depending on the courier you used, they may also have a theft prevention program you can enroll in. Additionally, you should review your purchase, cancel any auto-renewal of the item or services, and reset any passwords in case of a security breach.
Remember, if you used a credit card to purchase the item, you may be able to dispute the chargeback with your card provider and recoup costs.
Is it possible to use a stolen iPhone?
While it is technically possible to use a stolen iPhone, it is highly inadvisable and not recommended. If the rightful owner of an iPhone has reported it stolen, it is likely that the device will be locked with the original owner’s Apple ID, preventing it from being used normally.
Additionally, it is likely that the device will be associated with the original owner’s iCloud account, and they can use the Find My iPhone feature to keep track of the stolen device’s location. Moreover, law enforcement might be able to use this information to locate and recover the stolen iPhone.
Because of this, it is best to avoid using a stolen iPhone, as the risks outweigh any potential benefits.
Can a iPhone be still used if reported stolen?
No, a reported stolen iPhone cannot be used. If an iPhone is reported as stolen, Apple can block the phone from being used, making it useless to the person who has it. It can even be tracked by law enforcement in some cases.
It can be unlocked if the person has a valid proof of purchase or is the legal owner of the device, but otherwise the device is effectively useless.
What if I bought a stolen iPhone?
If you have purchased a stolen iPhone, you may be liable for a number of legal violations and may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. First and foremost, you should contact your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible in order to report the purchase.
This will help avoid any issues in the future related to the iPhone being stolen. Once the police have been notified, you may be responsible for paying for any damages related to the theft of the phone.
If the phone was sold to you fraudulently, then the seller may face criminal charges.
It is also important to note that you may be unable to use the phone, as Apple iPhones are registered to an Apple account and if that original account is still active, the phone cannot function until it is returned or assigned to a different account.
You must make sure that before you purchase an iPhone, that you are able to access the Apple account associated with the device so that you can use it.
In general, it is best to avoid buying stolen items, as you may find yourself in a difficult legal situation and put yourself in harm’s way.
Can someone access my data on stolen phone?
If your phone is stolen, there is the potential for someone to access your data, depending on the security measures you have taken. You may have used biometric authentication like a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a passcode to access your phone.
If the thief is able to bypass this security, they could gain access to everything you had stored on the phone. This includes your contacts, calendars, photos, emails, text messages, personal information, and any other stored data.
It is also possible for them to take control of your accounts if stored passwords were saved to the phone and access your data from there.
Therefore, it is important to take steps to secure your phone and protect your data. This could include using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, enabling the “Find My Phone” feature, installing a trusted antivirus app, and turning off Bluetooth when it’s not in use.
Taking these steps can help ensure that your data remains secure even if your phone is stolen.