Ensure Activation Lock protection on stolen iPhone 12 Pro Max when thief knows passcode

kazi13 wrote:

The most important issue is that the person who stole my iPhone knows the device screen passcode. Therefore, I am extremely concerned that the passcode may provide any opportunity to access, reactivate, or use the device.

I've never had a phone stolen – but once the phone learns that is in Lost Mode, I don't believe that the phone will give the thief a chance to enter the passcode. It will put up the "Locked to Owner" screen, and require a user to provide the correct Apple Account credentials to get past that screen.

The problem, as I indicated in my previous reply, is that if the thief had your passcode, they could have gotten into your data before you had a chance to mark the phone as Lost or before the phone had a chance to learn of that.

I urgently request Apple to keep the Activation Lock permanently active on my stolen iPhone and ensure that the device remains locked to my Apple Account.

This is something that you need to do, by

• Not removing the phone from the list of devices associated with your Apple Account
• Not falling for "phishing" messages from "Apple" or the "Police" that are intended to trick you into removing the phone from your list of devices, or worse, into giving the thief your Apple Account credentials
• Not allowing the thief to have access to any other Apple devices associated with that account. (If a thief steals both your iPhone and your Mac, mark BOTH as Lost.)

If there is any chance the thief has learned, or could guess, your Apple Account password, you may want to change the password just to be on the safe side. ("Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that the thieves are not out to get you.")

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

kazi13 wrote:

Dear Apple Support Team,

This is a user-to-user forum. You are not speaking to Apple Support. None of your fellow users here have the ability to make any changes on Apple's systems.

As a practical matter, since the thief knew your passcode, there is a chance that the thief could have gotten into your data between the time the phone was stolen, and the time that the phone learned that it was in Lost Mode.

Anything that the thief could have gotten into with your passcode – especially any bank accounts or credit card accounts or cards registered in Apple Pay or the like – needs to be secured now.

Report the incident to the Authorities:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency: File a police report as soon as possible. This creates an official record of the loss and helps them track these criminals. You can usually find the non-emergency number for your local police department online
• Gather your evidence: The fact that you have the box, receipt, photos, and screenshots is fantastic! This strengthens your case considerably. Bring these items with you when you file the report, or if reporting online, clearly list them and offer to send them electronically.

Strengthening Your Case:

• Provide details: Be thorough when explaining the loss/stolen. Include dates, times, names (if any), contact methods, and a detailed explanation of how the scam/hack unfolded.
• Financial records: If you lost money, include any bank statements or transaction records related to the scam.

Filing the Report:

• Request a copy: Once you've filed the report, ask for a copy for your records. This will include a reference number, which may be helpful for future inquiries.
• Report online (if available): Many police departments allow you to file reports online. This can be a convenient option, but be sure to follow up with a phone call if you have any complex details or significant losses.

Following Up:

• Be persistent: Loss/Scams/hacks can take time to investigate. While there's no guarantee they'll catch the perpetrator, be persistent in checking on the progress of your case. Maintain a polite and professional tone when following up.

With Stolen Device Protection enabled, knowing your Apple Account credentials or your iPhone passcode alone is not enough to perform certain sensitive actions. For these protected operations, the iPhone requires Face ID or Touch ID, and the passcode cannot be used as a fallback.

If you enabled Stolen Device Protection before the iPhone was taken, your data and iPhone are safe.

• Passcode Alone Isn't Enough: Even if someone knows your device passcode, they cannot use it to approve protected actions covered by Stolen Device Protection.

• Biometric Verification Required: Sensitive operations—such as changing your Apple Account security settings, accessing saved passwords, disabling Lost Mode, or turning off Find My—require Face ID or Touch ID. Some changes may also require a Security Delay when you're away from familiar locations.

• Enhanced Protection Against Theft: Only a Face ID or Touch ID enrolled on that iPhone can authorize these protected actions, helping prevent a thief from taking control of your device or Apple Account, even if they know your passcode.

In summary: Stolen Device Protection significantly strengthens your iPhone's security by requiring biometric authentication—and, in some cases, a Security Delay—for critical actions, making it much harder for someone who steals your iPhone to access your accounts or disable important security features.

This platform is designed as a user-to-user forum with Apple Inc. acting as a moderator. The primary objective is to foster a community where users can participate in meaningful discussions while adhering to established guidelines.

This platform serves as a space for users to engage in meaningful conversations, share information, and exchange ideas related to Apple products. It's a community-driven initiative where users support each other by sharing their experiences and technical expertise in using Apple devices. While Apple Inc. is not actively participating in these discussions, the forum is a valuable resource for seeking guidance and assistance from fellow users who possess a wealth of experience with Apple products. Feel free to explore the discussions, ask questions, and benefit from the collective knowledge of this community.

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