iPhone stolen, trackable after turned off?

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FoXtroT

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So my Moms iPhone was stolen from her work and she contacted me soon after because the guy who stole it run towards the area I was in.

Managed to log in to find my iPhone and was able to locate it, jumped into my car and sped off after him but not long after he turned it off.

Apparently Find My iPhone actually says something on the lost phone, which my have informed the guy?

Anyways, is there any way to track it while its off? Or do I have to wait until he has turned it on again? I have enabled the 'lock phone' option, does that prevent it from turning off again?
 
The phone is dead in the water if it is off. As soon as it is turned back on though, it will notify you of its whereabouts.

I don't believe 'lock phone' mode prevents it from being switched off.

An iDevice associated with a specific iCloud account is good to no one other than the rightful owner. Its only value now is for spare parts.
 
sand_man said:
The phone is dead in the water if it is off. As soon as it is turned back on though, it will notify you of its whereabouts.

I don't believe 'lock phone' mode prevents it from being switched off.

An iDevice associated with a specific iCloud account is good to no one other than the rightful owner. Its only value now is for spare parts.
Click to expand...

Even if the sim card is taken out?

No other way to wipe it from their side?
 
FoXtroT said:
Apparently Find My iPhone actually says something on the lost phone, which my have informed the guy?
Click to expand...

Only if you activate lost mode and enter a message iirc.

Anyways, is there any way to track it while its off? Or do I have to wait until he has turned it on again? I have enabled the 'lock phone' option, does that prevent it from turning off again?
Click to expand...

No, it should send its location though, next time it is online.

Edit
More details on Find my iPhone

https://support.apple.com/kb/ph2700?locale=en_GB
 
Dave123 said:
Only if you activate lost mode and enter a message iirc.



No, it should send its location though, next time it is online.
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Crap, I did that.

Well, if its useless to them that offers some level of comfort.

I suppose I shouldn't remotely erase it then.
 
FoXtroT said:
Even if the sim card is taken out?

No other way to wipe it from their side?
Click to expand...

The phone is tethered to the iCloud account on which it was activated, until such time as the owner logs into their iCloud account and deletes the device off of their profile or alternatively logs in on the phone and signs out of iCloud from there.

Even if the perps do a DFU mode restore, when the phone is powered up for the first time it's going to ask for the relevant iCloud log in details. That thing is a brick in any one's hands other than the rightful owner.
 
I know I'll also want my stuff back if it is stolen but is it worth taking the risk of confronting a criminal in sa? no matter who it is, and maybe get your self shot or stabbed. police o well what can you say.
 
Dread789 said:
I know I'll also want my stuff back if it is stolen but is it worth taking the risk of confronting a criminal in sa? no matter who it is, and maybe get your self shot or stabbed. police o well what can you say.
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Not alone no. But now if you take 10 buddies/neighbourhood watch buddies along, then what's the problem...
 
The problem with iPhone is also that Airplane mode is accessible from the Control Center when locked, so people just pick up the phone then swipe up and turn on airplane mode.

No need to worry about turning off, or taking out sim or the like - just a few seconds and then the phone doesn't even send the last location that it usually does when it is powered off.
 
whatwhat said:
The problem with iPhone is also that Airplane mode is accessible from the Control Center when locked, so people just pick up the phone then swipe up and turn on airplane mode.

No need to worry about turning off, or taking out sim or the like - just a few seconds and then the phone doesn't even send the last location that it usually does when it is powered off.
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That's a choice left up to the user.
 
bwana said:
That's a choice left up to the user.
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Yeah. How many people know to turn it off though? And if you turn it off you are massively inconvenienced having grown unlock the phone earlier for everything.
 
whatwhat said:
Yeah. How many people know to turn it off though? And if you turn it off you are massively inconvenienced having grown unlock the phone earlier for everything.
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Why turn it off? The data is secure which is the important thing, the phone is a brick regardless.

Or are you seriously suggesting that tracking it down is a viable option?

Anyway - the choice is there, it's up to the individual to determine if it's an inconvenience or not.
 
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