My iPhone was lost while I was in Australia, and it recently connected to Wi‑Fi in Kenya. I still have it linked to Find My and marked as lost, but I'm worried that whoever has it might access my private information. If I use the erase option in Find My, will it securely wipe the phone? What else should I do to prevent anyone from using my data or activating the device?
3 Answers
If the passcode is reasonably strong, the contents should be protected by the iPhone’s encryption. The device may eventually be dismantled for parts, and newer models can have additional restrictions on reused components. Find My may only show the last known location once the phone is offline or taken apart, so a location disappearing does not necessarily mean your data was accessed.
Keep the phone in Lost Mode and do not remove it from your Apple Account or Find My. The activation lock is what prevents someone else from setting it up, even after a remote erase. If you erase it, leave it associated with your account so it remains locked. Also change your Apple Account password and any important passwords that may have been saved on the phone.
A remote erase is designed to delete the data on the iPhone, but it does not make the device safe to release from Find My. Never remove the phone from your account, because that can remove Activation Lock and allow it to be set up by someone else. If you’re making an insurance claim, follow the insurer’s instructions carefully rather than simply removing it yourself.
It has been in Lost Mode since it went missing, so I’ll make sure it stays linked to my account.