What to Do if Your iPhone is Stolen/Lost: A Complete Guide (2024)

Losing your iPhone and not knowing what to do next is distressing. However, if you have lost your iPhone, protecting the contents stored inside is crucial. In this article, we will guide you through the necessary steps to take in such unfortunate situations. So, follow along to know what to do in case of a stolen or lost iPhone.

The first and foremost thing is to activate the lost mode. But that’s not it; there are many other things that you need to do after activating the lost mode in such a scenario. From locking your iPhone remotely to filing an iPhone replacement, we’ve shared seven valuable tips in this article.

1. Mark iPhone as Lost

After losing your iPhone, the first thing to do is to activate the Lost Mode on your iPhone or mark it as lost. Doing so will help you lock your iPhone and display a message on the screen once it gets online, allowing others to return your iPhone to you safely. Depending on whether you are using a Mac or Windows, follow these steps.

Tip: Enter the associated passcode to turn off the Lost Mode on your recovered iPhone.

On Mac

Step 1: Launch the Find My app on your Mac, go to the Devices tab, and right-click on your iPhone.

Step 2: Click Mark As Lost from the drop-down menu.

Tip: If you lose your iPhone in your home or nearby, consider clicking on Play Sound instead of marking it as lost.

Step 3: Click Continue to confirm, and that’s it.

Step 4: Now, input the contact details where you want to be reached and tap Next to activate Lost Mode on your iPhone.

Note: Activating the Lost Mode on your iPhone might take some time, depending on whether the iPhone is turned on. It will keep showing as pending until the Find My executes the command.

On Windows or Any Web Browser

Step 1: Open the Find My page of the iCloud website in any browser and click on Sign In.

Open Find My on Web

Step 2: Enter your credentials and click the arrow to sign in to your Apple ID.

Tip: Don’t worry about the Two-Factor authentication code; these are not required for using Find My features.

Step 3: Click on your iPhone from the devices list.

Step 4: Now, click Mark As Lost.

Tip: If you lose your iPhone in your home or nearby, consider clicking on Play Sound instead of marking it as lost.

Step 5: A pop-up will appear on the screen; follow the on-screen instructions to activate the Lost Mode on your iPhone.

Step 6: Enter the phone number on which you wish to be reached and tap Next to activate the Lost Mode on your iPhone from your PC.

Note: Activating the Lost Mode on your iPhone might take some time, depending on whether the iPhone is turned on. It will keep showing as pending until the Find My executes the command.

2. Lock and Erase iPhone

Marking your iPhone lost only locks your iPhone and shows the emergency contact information on the screen. On the other hand, the locking and erasing option helps you delete the contents stored on your iPhone remotely while turning on the Activation Lock on your iPhone as it gets online.

Further, Apple says, “Your custom message continues to display even after the device is erased.” Here are the steps to lock and erase your iPhone:

Tip: To disable the Activation Lock or unlock a recovered iPhone, enter the associated Apple ID and password.

Note: You should use the ‘Lock and Erase’ feature on your iPhone if it gets stolen and the chances of getting it back are less. As it will erase the data from the iPhone locally (not from the iCloud backup).

On Your Mac

Step 1: Open the Find My app on your Mac, go to the Devices tab, and right-click on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select Erase This Device from the list of options.

Step 3: Click Continue to proceed.

Step 4: Now, enter your phone number and click Erase.

On Windows or Any Web Browser

Step 1: Open the Find My page of the iCloud website in any browser and click Sign In.

Open Find My on Web

Step 2: Enter your credentials and click the arrow to sign in to your Apple ID.

Tip: Don’t worry about the Two-Factor authentication code; using Find My features doesn’t require it.

Step 3: Click on your iPhone from the devices list.

Step 4: Click Erase This Device.

Step 5: Now, enter your Apple ID and password and click the next arrow to lock and erase your iPhone.

Also Read: How to find a stolen iPhone or iPad with Find My

3. Remove Your Cards From iPhone

It’s better to remove any card stored in the Apple wallet on your iPhone because a thief can easily abuse it if he has access to your passcode. Whether you are on a Mac or PC, follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Open the Apple ID settings in any browser, select Devices from the left menu, and click on your iPhone.

Manage Your Apple ID

Step 2: A pop-up will appear on the screen; scroll down to the ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’ section and click Remove Items next to the card, Apple Cash, etc.

Step 3: Click Remove Items to confirm, and that’s it.

4. Track Stolen or Lost iPhone

If you have lost your iPhone and can’t recall where you have left it, use the Find My app to track and find the iPhone. Your iPhone is findable even if it is turned off, and it updates its locations for up to 24 hours or as long as the battery lasts with the help of Apple’s Find My network. However, if it’s been more than seven days since your device last sent its location, Find My will display the ‘No location found’ message.

Let’s look at the steps to take:

On Your Mac

Step 1: Open the Find My app on your Mac and click the Devices tab.

Step 2: On the Devices tab, look at your iPhone’s last or real-time (if available) location.

On Windows or Any Web Browser

Step 1: Open the Find My in any browser on your PC and click Sign In.

Find My on Web

Step 2: Enter your Apple ID email and password and click the arrow to sign in to your Apple ID.

Tip: You don’t need to worry about the Two-Factor authentication code; these are not required for using Find My features.

And that’s it; now you can see your iPhone’s live location or last seen location.

5. Report to Authority

Apart from this, you should inform your local authority of the theft or loss of your iPhone. Authorities can help you regain access to your iPhone and clear your name in the event of its involvement in illegal activities.

6. File a Claim With Apple Care+

If you have subscribed to AppleCare+, you can claim an iPhone replacement from their website. However, please note that only the following countries support AppleCare+:

• Australia
• Austria
• Chile
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Ireland
• Japan
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

7. Remove the Device From Your iCloud

If you do not want to associate your lost or stolen iPhone with your Apple ID or have it appear in your devices list, Apple lets you remove it. Follow these steps.

Note: Do not remove your device from the iCloud until AppleCare+ approves your claim.

Step 1: Open the Apple ID settings in any browser on your Mac or PC, select Devices from the left, and click on your iPhone.

Manage Your Apple ID

Step 2: Scroll down in the pop-up menu and click Remove from account.

Some Tips to Make Your iPhone More Secure

If you get your stolen or lost iPhone back or switch to a new iPhone, it’s better to make it more secure than the previous one. Here are some tips to consider.

• Use an Alphanumeric code instead of a traditional passcode.
• Use Screen Time to restrict Apple ID changes.
• Don’t store cards or other sensitive things in Notes or Photos.
• Remove saved cards from Safari Autofill.
• Use a password manager instead of iCloud keychain.
• Make Control Center inaccessible from the Lock Screen; go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Turn off Control Control Center.

However, Apple just dropped the best safety feature to secure your iPhone :

Enable Stolen Device Protection on iPhone (iOS 17.3)

Apple just released the ‘Stolen Device Protection’ feature with iOS 17.3. It seems to be the best set of protective measures to safeguard your device and data in the event of a theft. When enabled, it imposes additional security measures when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as home or work.

Notable features include the requirement for Face ID or Touch ID authentication for certain actions like accessing stored passwords and making critical changes to your Apple ID. Additionally, a Security Delay is also implemented for activities like changing your Apple ID password and needs you to wait for an hour and perform biometric authentication twice if you’re not in a familiar location.

Here’s how you can enable it on your iPhone :

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Select ‘Face ID and Passcode’. Enter your passcode.

Step 3: Scroll down, and select the Turn On option under ‘Stolen Device Protection’.

If you want to learn more, here are the ultimate tips to make your iPhone secure.

Wrapping Up

When your iPhone goes missing, being quick and decisive is the key. Use a Mac or an iPad to activate the lost mode. Furthermore, you can remove the stored cards from your iPhone or completely erase them so your finances are safe. Last but not least, report it to the authorities and file a claim with Apple Care+.