Can someone erase my iPhone completely if it’s stolen?

Submitted by findthemistke t3_10o30el in iphone

I was reading a Reddit post on privacy section I think and someone said that if someone steals your iPhone even though you have enabled activation lock, find my, and everything he can still wipe it clean when iPhone is in recovery mode with Mac or pc and then resell it as a new iPhone. Can he do this?

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Shiningc t1_j6dlegz wrote

No it's not possible to remove activation lock unless you know the iCloud password.

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SeaServalKing t1_j6caldm wrote

Unless you call and report the phone stolen and brick it, I’m assuming that would be possible yes. If it’s bricked the phone is useless and just a paper weight.

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Yo_2T t1_j6d78rh wrote

No it's not possible to restore the phone and sell it as is. If anyone tries to put the phone in DFU mode to wipe it, first thing it does when it comes back up is asking for the password of the owner's iCloud account. The phone is as good as a brick until the owner either releases it remotely or the correct password is put in.

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findthemistke OP t1_j6ce6e8 wrote

I see. So I need to call Apple directly ?

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SeaServalKing t1_j6ce7ss wrote

That would be your best option, or the carrier of the phone

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Yo_2T t1_j6d7gy8 wrote

You technically don't even need to call or anything. If the phone is locked and your pin code isn't something easy to guess, they won't get in. Reporting the phone as lost to the carrier only prevents it from being used on some carriers that share the same database on the off chance you somehow release the phone from your iCloud's activation lock.

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lastemperor86 t1_j6cf0t2 wrote

Even if they wipe it in recovery mode the phone will still be bound to the owners iCloud account. Once they get to the activation screen the phone will contact Apple and then display a prompt to enter the iCloud password to proceed with the setup. The phone will either need to be released by the iCloud owner or they will need to contact Apple support and provide a proof of purchase receipt.

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ToffeeCoffee t1_j6cggea wrote

They can wipe it, but it will still be activation locked to your appleid/iCloud, unless you remove it. Don't remove it. But put it in lost mode to protect your data. Nothing you can stop them from recovery wiping it, but again it will still be activation locked and a brick essentially.

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findthemistke OP t1_j6chrry wrote

Oh I see thank you I’m relieved.

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A1BC095 t1_j6dx5y6 wrote

If you start getting messages saying they have access to your photos/videos or personal data, and try and get you to remove anything DONT DO ANYTHING. They’re tryna get you to remove iCloud and then they can sell the device on. Just leave it as is and ignore all messages regarding it you might get

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