iPhone wants to go home.

March 13, 2008 6:48 PM

How do I return a Passcode protected iPhone to its owner?

I found an iPhone while on a business trip. Not knowing how to use one I turned it off to save the battery. Now that I'm back home, I turn it on planning to look for "mom" or some email "To:" fields to find the owner and crap, there's a Passcode on the phone.

I know diddly about Apple or AT&T. Does anybody know how to get the phone back to its owner (using the serial number or other info on the back of the phone)?

posted by zengargoyle to technology (9 comments total)

I think if you take the phone to an ATT store they will pop out the SIM card (from the top of the phone) and read account information off of it. Should be simple. You'll be making the owner very happy.
posted by Barrows at 6:52 PM on March 13

Ah, cool. I'll hit an AT&T cell phone store tomorrow. Thanks.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:00 PM on March 13

You might call this number ( 1-888-562-8662 ) and explain yourself. It is the the owner has to call for a replacement request. They will probably ask you for the serial number, or may just direct you to a store as Barrows suggests.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 7:02 PM on March 13

It is the number the owner has to call for a replacement request.

Also... I don't see a location for you, but you might check the Craigslist Lost and Found section for your area. Chances are the individual is tech savvy and that would be one of the first things I would try if I lost something of value. Post to it if there is nobody posting about a lost phone.

Also, turn the phone off. If you find somebody who claims it, you may need to juice so they can prove it is theirs by unlocking it. They should also have their serial number for verification on their contract. They can also get it from AT&T customer service.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 7:06 PM on March 13

Craigslist checked, nothing. Lost+Found post added.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:24 PM on March 13

Still in LA area?

Lost iPhones
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 7:24 PM on March 13

> B(oYo)BIES -- yeah, checked them all. They don't match, by date or description. And since I can't get in, the phone is 'off'.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:38 PM on March 13

nb: You can charge an iPhone with an ordinary iPod cable. Plug it into a wall adapter if you'd rather not plug it into a pc.
posted by By The Grace of God at 5:52 AM on March 14

Just the update. I waited a few days for the Craiglist thing just in case... no luck. Called Apple, no help there. Yep, AT&T said bring it in and they'll take care of everything else. Dropped it off this morning. Sorta wanted to meet the person, they had a cool Miyazaki anime background picture... oh well.
posted by zengargoyle at 1:22 PM on March 18