As iPhones become more ubiquitous, they also become more at risk of being stolen. In 2020, Apple reported over 1.5 million stolen iPhones, and that’s just in the United States. With so many iPhones being stolen each year, it’s important to know how to determine if an iPhone you’re buying is stolen or not. In this blog post, we’ll go over various methods to determine if an iPhone is stolen.
The goal of this post is to provide you with the information needed to make an informed purchase when buying an iPhone, as well as to educate you on the importance of verifying an iPhone’s legitimacy before purchasing it.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To determine if an iPhone is stolen, you’ll need to know the iPhone’s serial number, IMEI number, or MEID number. The serial number can be found on the back of the iPhone or in the settings app under General > About. The IMEI and MEID numbers can be found by entering *#06# in the phone app or in the settings app under General > About.
What Requires Your Focus?
When determining if an iPhone is stolen, your focus should be on verifying the legitimacy of the iPhone. You’ll need to pay attention to the iPhone’s serial number, IMEI number, and MEID number, as well as the iCloud status, activation lock, and Find My iPhone status.
Different Methods to Tell If An iPhone Is Stolen
Method 1: Check IMEI number on Apple’s Website Via Web Browser
If you have the IMEI or MEID number of the iPhone, you can check if it’s stolen by visiting Apple’s website: https://www.apple.com/shop/recycle/iphone. Enter the IMEI or MEID number and check if the iPhone is marked as lost or stolen.
Steps:
1. Visit Apple’s website at https://www.apple.com/shop/recycle/iphone
2. Enter the IMEI or MEID number of the iPhone in the field provided
3. Click on "Continue"
4. If the iPhone is marked as lost or stolen, a warning message will appear
Pros:
– Free to use
– Provides instant results
– Easy to navigate
Cons:
– Requires IMEI or MEID number
– Only works for iPhones
Method 2: Verify iCloud Account Via Settings App
If you’re buying an iPhone from someone, you can ask them to sign out of their iCloud account and sign in with your own. If the seller is hesitant or unable to do this, it may be a sign that the iPhone is stolen.
Steps:
1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone
2. Tap on the person’s name or picture at the top of the screen
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap "Sign Out"
4. Verify that the iCloud account has been signed out
Pros:
– Simple method
– Can be done quickly
Cons:
– May not be possible if seller is hesitant or unable to sign out of iCloud account
– Seller may not be willing to perform this step
Method 3: Check Activation Lock and Find My iPhone Status on iCloud Website Via Web Browser
You can also check the activation lock and Find My iPhone status of an iPhone by visiting https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/. Enter the IMEI or serial number of the iPhone and check if the activation lock and Find My iPhone status are enabled. If they are, it may be a sign that the iPhone is stolen.
Steps:
1. Visit https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/
2. Enter the IMEI or serial number of the iPhone in the field provided
3. Click on "Continue"
4. Check if activation lock and Find My iPhone status are enabled
Pros:
– Free to use
– Provides instant results
Cons:
– Requires IMEI or serial number
– Only works for iPhones
Why Can’t I Trust An iPhone Without Verifying It?
- Stolen iPhones can be blacklisted by carriers
- iPhones with outstanding payments can be blacklisted by carriers
- iCloud-locked iPhones cannot be used without the original owner’s credentials
- Activation lock and Find My iPhone status can indicate that an iPhone is stolen
To ensure that you’re buying a legitimate iPhone, it’s important to verify its legitimacy before purchasing it. By doing so, you can save yourself from the headache and financial loss of purchasing a stolen or blacklisted iPhone.
Implications and Recommendations
- Always verify the legitimacy of an iPhone before purchasing it
- Ask the seller for the serial number, IMEI number, or MEID number of the iPhone
- If the seller is hesitant or unable to provide this information, it may be a red flag
- If buying an iPhone online, make sure to buy from a reputable source
5 FAQs about Determining if an iPhone is Stolen
Q: Can I verify an iPhone’s legitimacy without having access to it?
A: No, you’ll need to have access to the iPhone’s serial number, IMEI number, or MEID number to verify its legitimacy.
Q: Can I trust a seller’s word that an iPhone is legitimate?
A: It’s always best to verify the legitimacy of an iPhone yourself before purchasing it, even if the seller seems trustworthy.
Q: What should I do if an iPhone I bought turns out to be stolen?
A: Contact the seller and explain the situation. If they’re unresponsive or uncooperative, you may need to contact the authorities.
Q: Can a stolen iPhone be unlocked?
A: No, a stolen iPhone cannot be unlocked unless the original owner provides the correct credentials to unlock it.
Q: Is it legal to buy a stolen iPhone?
A: No, it’s not legal to buy a stolen iPhone, even if you didn’t know it was stolen at the time of purchase.
In Conclusion
Determining if an iPhone is stolen is an important step in verifying the legitimacy of an iPhone before purchasing it. By following the methods outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that you’re buying a legitimate iPhone and avoid the headaches and financial loss that come with purchasing a stolen or blacklisted iPhone.
