Lost or stolen iPhone? Here's what you should do now
You reach into your pocket and your iPhone is gone? Maybe you just misplaced it, maybe it was stolen. In both cases, a clear sequence of steps can help you find the device and protect your data.
With Apple's "Find My" app, you can check its location, play a sound, mark the iPhone as lost, and remotely erase it if necessary.
Here you'll find a concise guide on what to do and what happens to your cards, accounts, and saved data in the process.
iPhone lost or stolen: the correct sequence
- Locate iPhone using "Find My".
- Mark device as lost.
- Secure cellular connection.
- Check Apple Account and important access points.
- Erase the iPhone remotely only if necessary.
Especially important:
Do not remove a permanently lost iPhone from "Find My." Otherwise, the Activation Lock can be lifted, and the device can be more easily reused or resold.
Step 1: Locate iPhone using "Find My"
If "Find My iPhone" was already activated before the loss, you can locate the device using another Apple device or in a browser.
Using another Apple device
- Open the "Find My" app.
- Under Devices, select your iPhone.
- Check the location and available options.
Using a browser
Go to iCloud.com/find, sign in with your Apple Account, and select the iPhone under All Devices. Finding devices does not require a verification code from the lost iPhone. If a code prompt appears, select Find Devices at the bottom.
Via iCloud.com, you can check your iPhone's location, play a sound, mark the device as lost, or erase it if necessary
If the iPhone is likely nearby, you can play a sound. If the map shows an unfamiliar location, do not attempt to retrieve the device yourself.
Step 2: Mark iPhone as lost
If you cannot find your iPhone directly, activate "Lost Mode" as quickly as possible:
- Open "Find My" or iCloud.com/find.
- Select the missing iPhone.
- Tap Mark As Lost and follow the instructions.
What happens to cards and data?
The iPhone will be locked with your device passcode. Your personal data remains stored on the device and is not deleted by Lost Mode. Without knowing the device passcode, access remains protected by the iPhone's security features.
Payment cards and passes you use with Apple Pay on this iPhone will be suspended. If Stolen Device Protection is enabled, Face ID or Touch ID may additionally be required to exit the mode.
Contact information on the lock screen
If you likely only misplaced the iPhone, you can display an alternative phone number. Only use the information necessary for its return.
Step 3: Secure cellular connection
If the iPhone has been missing for a longer period, your mobile provider can block the SIM or eSIM. After this, the phone number can no longer be used for calls, SMS, or mobile data via this SIM or eSIM.
Step 4: Protect Apple Account and access
On another trusted Apple device, you can check the following under Settings or System Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security:
- stored email addresses and phone numbers
- recovery methods
- connected devices
- changes you did not make yourself
Change your Apple Account password if you notice unknown changes, if someone might know your device passcode, or if "Find My" was not activated before the loss.
Recognizing phishing after the loss
Fake found device notifications often try to trick you into opening a link, entering your device passcode or a verification code, or removing the iPhone from "Find My."
Remember:
Do not share your device passcode, Apple Account password, or verification codes. Always open "Find My" or iCloud.com/find yourself, instead of following a sent link.
What to do if "Find My" was not activated?
If "Find My iPhone" was turned off before the loss, the function cannot be activated retroactively. The iPhone cannot then be located, marked as lost, or remotely erased via "Find My."
In this case, change your Apple Account password, check important access points, and have the SIM or eSIM blocked. Pay particular attention to accounts that were logged in on the iPhone or whose login details are stored there.
Step 5: Erase iPhone remotely
Remote erasure is advisable if you no longer expect to get the device back. This deletes content and settings from the iPhone; the process cannot be easily undone.
- Open "Find My" and the Devices section.
- Select your iPhone.
- Tap Erase This Device and follow the instructions.
If the iPhone is offline, the erase command remains pending and starts as soon as the device is reachable again.
Keep Activation Lock
Even after remote erasure, do not remove the iPhone from "Find My." As long as Activation Lock remains active, your Apple Account login details will be required to set up the device again.
What happens if the iPhone is turned off or offline?
An iPhone that is turned off or not connected to the internet is not automatically untraceable. If the "Find My" network was previously activated, supported models can still be found under certain conditions even without a direct Wi-Fi or cellular connection. For some models, location tracking is possible for a certain time after being turned off.
Lost Mode and remote erasure may initially remain pending. They will be executed as soon as the iPhone is reachable again.
How to prepare your iPhone for a potential loss
1. Activate "Find My iPhone"
Open Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and, if possible, also activate the "Find My" network and Send Last Location.
Under "Find My", you can check if "Find My iPhone" is activated on your device
2. Activate Stolen Device Protection
Under Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection, you can enable additional security measures. On supported devices with Touch ID, you'll find the feature under Touch ID & Passcode.
Face ID or Touch ID may then be required for sensitive actions. For important changes to security settings, a security delay may additionally apply.
"Stolen Device Protection" adds additional security measures for sensitive actions
3. Create regular backups
With a current iCloud backup or a backup on your Mac, you can later restore much of your data to a new iPhone.
4. Use a strong device passcode
Choose a passcode that is difficult to guess and make sure no one can see it when you enter it.
Frequent Technical Questions
Can I locate my iPhone if the SIM card has been removed?
Yes, under certain circumstances. "Find My" does not rely solely on the SIM card. Depending on the model, settings, and available connection, the device can still be found.
Will my iCloud data also be deleted during a remote erase?
No. Remote erasure removes content and settings from the iPhone. Data already synced with iCloud and existing backups remain intact.
Our conclusion: First locate, then protect
First open "Find My", check the location, and mark the iPhone as lost. Then secure your cellular connection and account. Remote erasure is the last step if the device is unlikely to be recovered.
With activated location tracking, stolen device protection, a strong device passcode, and regular backups, both your iPhone and your data are significantly better protected.
Set up a new iPhone or restore data
Is your previous iPhone permanently lost and you need a new device? Visit one of our stores in Dornbirn, Götzis or Bürs.
We will advise you on the selection and assist you with the setup and restoration of your data from an existing backup.
