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DoorAs Turner
As CEO of SimilarMyMobile.com and BankMyCell.com since 2009, Ash is a central figure in the mobile technology industry. With a background managing Brightstar's PhoneRecycleBank, he has extensive experience with global operators and MVNOs such as T-Mobile and O2 and leading manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung.
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| Updated March 14, 2024
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Marleen Centeno
Marleen Centeno
Marlene specializes in creating comprehensive guides for smartphones, tablets and smartwatches from leading brands such as Apple, Samsung and Google, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of these technologies.
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Kim Juanillo
Kim Juanillo
Kim is an editor with a rich background in digital content management and developmental psychology and brings a unique blend of analytical and creative skills to BankMyCell. With her background in psychology, Kim is adept at understanding complex concepts and turning them into engaging, accessible content.
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- Check out the five ways you can find the owner of a lost iPhone.
- Buy a stolen or lost iPhone? Learn how to sell it legally.
- If the solutions above don't apply, here's how to unlock and activate a locked iPhone.
FIXED: What to do with an iPhone you found
Return a lost phone to its owner
- Lost State:Check if the phone displays a lost status message on the lock screen, which may show the owner's contact information, and track the device's location with Find My iPhone.
- Medical ID:If it's a locked iPhone, use the Emergency option to access the Medical ID and view the owner's identity or emergency contact information.
- Talk to the carrier:Dial *#06# to get the IMEI number, contact the carrier and ask them to connect you to the owner.
- Ask Siri:Ask Siri questions like "Who owns this iPhone?" or a request to call relatives listed in the contacts.
- Take a picture:Open the camera > Take a photo with the lost iPhone. If the owner uses iCloud Photos, they will see it and contact them.
Need help? Learn more
Sell your iPhone (compare offers)
What to do with a lost or stolen iPhone
If you purchased a used iPhone and the device was marked as lost/stolen, the device can no longer be used. You can sell it legally by following these steps:
- Select your phone modelher.
- to elect"On the Blacklist".
- Compare offers and get the best price for your device.
Remark:Always be transparent and disclose your device status and phone condition to your buyer. It's a good idea to call the local police to make sure they don't need it as evidence (they usually don't).
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Sell your iPhone (compare offers)
How to Unlock an iPhone Lock
Third-party software is available to activate locked iPhones. The software costs a fee and should only be used as a last resort. We do not endorse any of these programs.
- iBypasser:Install the software > Connect the phone to a computer > Download the relevant package > Run the reset program.
- Lock wiper:Install the app on a computer > Select the unlock code > Connect your phone > Download and run the appropriate eraser.
Need help? Learn more
Sell your iPhone (compare offers)
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In this article:
- This is how you find the owner if you have found an iPhone
- What to do if you found an iPhone and can't find the owner
- How to Unlock an iPhone You Found
- Cv
- Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you're a Good Samaritan with no malicious intent, holding on to someone else's device can get you into trouble.
Don't worry: today we'll discuss five ways to find the owner of an iPhone, the legality of selling if you can't find the owner, and how to unlock an iPhone without a passcode or the owner's Apple ID if you decide to do that. to sell or use it.
5 Ways to Return a Lost iPhone to Its Owner
It's much easier to find the owner of an iPhone when the phone is turned on, since chances are they have Find My iPhone enabled on their iOS device, and the battery can't be dead for that. Assuming the battery was mostly full when you found it (and it probably wasn't), you'll have about a day before it runs out.
If you have an iPhone power cord or can borrow one, it's a good idea to plug the phone in as soon as possible. Then you can continue to find the owner without worrying about running out of battery.
- Option 1: Lost state
- Option 2: iPhone Medical ID
- Option 3: Talk to the mobile company
- Option 4: Ask Siri
- Option 5: Take a photo
Find owner information in iPhone lost status
If the phone has power then check if it is unlocked. Although far from common, not everyone has a lock on their phone.
The owner may have enabled Lost Mode through the Find My iPhone settings, even if he has a lock screen. It only requires a data network or Wi-Fi, so take the phone somewhere where it should get a signal.
The owner can then select a message to display on the lock screen. Most users say something like "Lost iPhone. Please call me at 555-5555."
Keep in mind that Lost Mode also gives the owner access to the phone's location data (that's the "Find My iPhone" part) - they can just reach you!
Get owner information via iPhone Medical ID
If the lost status is inactive, your next step is to check if the owner has created a medical ID.
Apple's Medical ID system is designed to give first responders vital medical information associated with their Apple ID, but it can also tell you whose phone you have.
- Select the emergency at the bottom left of the screen.
- Under the pillow on the left side, "Medical ID" should be written.
Unfortunately, not everyone fills out their medical ID. If the owner of the found iPhone has not entered their Apple ID details, then proceed to option three.
Please contact the operator with the IMEI
In addition to your Apple ID, each device has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number that allows a carrier to find the iPhone's owner.
- Type *#06# to get the IMEI number.
- Call the carrier.
OfSIM cardthe operator's name is located at the top left of the lock screen. If you can't find the carrier's name on the phone, you can often look up the carrier via an IMEI search website.
The carrier probably won't give you any private information, but it will help you get in touch with the owner of the lost or stolen iPhone.
Ask Siri who owns it
Another reason to keep the battery charged is that Siri may still be active. When the phone is turned off, Siri will be disabled until the phone is unlocked. While Siri is active, you can have her try a few things:
- Question: "Who owns this iPhone." You may only get a first name, but it's a start. You can also try things like "What's my email address?" or “What is my Twitter account?”
- Ask Siri to call “mom,” “dad,” “work,” or “my wife/husband.”
- Ask him to read the call log and then call the specified contact. You can also try this with the message log.
However, Siri doesn't always have this information, or worse, it may not be enabled, but don't worry. There's one more thing you can try.
Take a photo and it goes to iCloud
Many iPhone users use iCloud Photos and you don't need to unlock the phone to take a photo.
- Select the camera icon on the lock screen and swipe left.
- Take a photo of your contact information.
It will be sent to the owner's iCloud account, where they will hopefully see it and call you.
Can't find the owner? What to do with a found iPhone?
How to legally sell iPhones marked lost/stolen
Finding a phone and never seeing the owner is one way to get past an iPhone marked lost/stolen. It is common to buy an iPhone and discover that the seller has reported it stolen (Activation Lock) and then get a new one.
This scenario is one of the reasons why we don't recommend buying a phone through local classifieds or social media buy/sell/trade sites. There's nothing you can do if the seller reports the phone as stolen: it's an expensive paperweight. However, you can sell that paperweight.
Before you do this, it's a good idea to call your local police to make sure they don't need it as evidence (they usually don't).
Then you can get an offer here on BankMyCell:
- Visitour iPhone price deals pageand select the correct model.
- Select "blacklisted" (stolen/lost status) or "under the "lock status" filter.
- OR “Activation Locked” (Password/iCloud Activation Lock) under the “Lock Status” filter.
- Compare offers and get the best price for your locked iPhone.
Compare prices on blacklisted phones
How to Sell an iPhone|What is my iPhone worth?
How to Unlock a Lost iPhone You Found
If you get an iPhone from a seller and it is marked with an Activation Lock (for example, stolen iPhones), try contacting him or her first to see if he or she will take steps to unlock the device.
If you can't reach the owner or they won't help, you have a few options. Activating a stolen iPhone can be challenging, but it is not impossible.
Please note that the options below require the use of third-party software and should only be used as a last resort. We do not endorse any of these programs. They are simply list options represented byiMyFone.
iBypasser
With iBypasser you can bypass iPhone activation lock, activate a stolen iPhone, unlock an iCloud locked iPhone and sign in with a new account.
Most important features:
- Access all device features and functions except calls, mobile data and iCloud
- Disable all active tracking from the previous owner
- Unlocks any stolen iPhone in five minutes or less without a passcode or ID
- Supports iPhones running iOS 12.3 and later
How to Unlock a Lost/Stolen iPhone with iBypasser:
- Install the software and press Start on your device.
- Connect the phone to a computer via a cable.
- The app will download the appropriate package to jailbreak the phone.
- Select "Start Bypass" to run the reset program.
SlotWiper
LockWiper permanently disables numeric passwords, face IDs, and touch IDs. It is an effective tool that does not require any specialized knowledge.
Most important features:
- Effectively removes any existing Apple ID on the device
- Removes any parental controls or screen time restrictions
- Removes all remote access control from the previous owner
- It doesn't require any passwords or Apple ID information
To unlock a lost/stolen iPhone with LockWiper:
- Install the app on your computer, select "unlock password" and select Start.
- Connect your phone to the PC.
- Once it detects your device, select "download".
- Click Start to extract the correct eraser.
- Wait for the process to complete.
Cv
If you find an iPhone, check to see if the owner has enabled Lost Mode or entered medical information. If not, try using Siri to contact someone, have the operator check the IMEI and take a photo of your contact information.
After you have made every effort to locate the owner of the device, contact the police to see if the device has been reported stolen or is needed as evidence. If everything is clear to the authorities, you can sell it or even unlock it and use it yourself. If you decide to sell it, you can find the best deals here on BankMyCell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I factory reset a locked iPhone I found?
Yes that is possible. But remember, if it has an activation lock, you won't be able to use it unless you have the iPhone owner's Apple ID and password. If possible, return the phone to its rightful owner.
Can You Still Unlock an iPhone in Lost Mode?
Unlocking an iPhone in "Lost Mode" often requires entering the device passcode or the correct Apple ID and password. If you try to unlock a found iPhone, you may face legal consequences later. Make sure you find the owner if possible.
How do I unlock my iPhone if I forgot my Apple ID and password?
These are your options:
- UseApple ID-kontogendannelseswebsted.
- Reset your password with two-factor authentication.
- Contact Apple Support.
- Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider.
Compare iPhone trade-in prices
How to Sell an iPhone|What is my iPhone worth?
Related articles
- Sell blacklisted phones with bad ESN or IMEI - (any carrier)
Categories:iPhone trade-in guidesDoor Ash Turner
Auteur:As Turner
https://www.bankmycell.com/
As Turneris the CEO of BankMyCell.com - we compare over 20 trusted buyback stores, analyzing and comparing 100,000 prices every 15 minutes across 700 devices, giving us unique and in-depth market analysis. After graduating from university, Ash Turner has extensive experience in the mobile phone industry as an authority since 2003.Experience with carriers and MVNO subscriptions:Working for global network operators and MVNOs such as T-Mobile, O2, EE and Talk Mobile for 6 years.Experiences from manufacturers and brands:He worked for 6 years on web projects with manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Blackberry.Experience with distribution, refurbishment and buyback of mobile phones:During his time at Brightstar, one of the world's leading mobile phone distributors, he ran the mobile phone buyback and refurbishment site Phone Bank for three years.Media experience:He also served as a weekly industry data columnist for Mobile News Magazine for three years.Experience with buying back and exchanging mobile phones:Since 2009, he has launched several leading mobile phone brands in the UK (CompareMyMobile.com) and US (BankMyCell.com) and is a trusted provider of mobile phone market data to Sky, Forbes, Statista, as well as distributors, MVNOs and mainstream media.Contact him: Tap Contact|Over ons|Linkedin
