How can I wipe my stolen iPhone?
November 5, 2012 8:31 AM Subscribe
My iPhone was stolen. I suspended service through Verizon but is there a way to remotely wipe it (now that it has already been stolen)?
It was stolen by an ex-boyfriend so I know who has it, and what I'm worried about is sensitive information such as contact info, pictures, etc. Not worried about things like identity theft.
It was stolen by an ex-boyfriend so I know who has it, and what I'm worried about is sensitive information such as contact info, pictures, etc. Not worried about things like identity theft.
Did you have the "Find my iPhone" feature on? This would help you prove to law enforcement that your ex stole your phone, as well as remotely erase it.
posted by n1c35h07 at 8:40 AM on November 5, 2012
posted by n1c35h07 at 8:40 AM on November 5, 2012
If you've already suspended service with Verizon, Find my iPhone will only work if the phone is connected to WiFi. It doesn't hurt to activate the wipe, but it's not guaranteed that it will work!
posted by sgo at 12:06 PM on November 5, 2012
posted by sgo at 12:06 PM on November 5, 2012
Response by poster: I actually found out the answer from Apple Support... if you don't have Find my iPhone already installed on your phone before it is lost/stolen, there is no way to wipe it. For an iPhone 4, at least. There is absolutely nothing they can do. So everyone, get Find my iPhone NOW before anything happens to your phone!
posted by désoeuvrée at 1:27 PM on November 5, 2012
posted by désoeuvrée at 1:27 PM on November 5, 2012
Best answer: Just for a little disambiguation, you don't need to have the app installed, but rather the setting in Settings/iCloud set to On (which requires registering the device with iCloud). You can test this by going to iCloud and logging in. If you see your phone listed, you should be able to remote wipe it from the "Find my iPhone" interface.
Of course a theif could turn this feature off (and most of the smart ones probably will) as well as make other changes to prevent tracking.
posted by samsara at 2:46 PM on November 5, 2012
Of course a theif could turn this feature off (and most of the smart ones probably will) as well as make other changes to prevent tracking.
posted by samsara at 2:46 PM on November 5, 2012
Best answer: I suppose it's time to report your ex. :)
posted by n1c35h07 at 3:05 PM on November 5, 2012
posted by n1c35h07 at 3:05 PM on November 5, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by enn at 8:37 AM on November 5, 2012