You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

đź’ˇ Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone stolen, re-covered, how to reset?

My iPhone was stolen while travelling but in a crazy twist of events was recovered by the police and returned to me.


When I try to get back into the phone, it seems the password has been changed even though I had put it in lost mode and the lost mode message is still appearing on screen. Is it possible the thief could have changed the password even though it was in lost mode?


I had already erased the data from the phone & put it in lost mode so I'm not worried about trying to reset the data - I just want to try and get back into the phone and then restore from my backup.


Is there a way to reset the phone even though my previous password doesn't seem to be working?


Posted on Sep 4, 2023 4:45 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 7, 2023 6:27 AM

Apple ID and Activation Lock


iCloud uses Apple ID credentials.


If you do not remember the Apple ID Password then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


If you do not remember the Apple ID then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support



If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.


If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their Apple ID.




2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 7, 2023 6:27 AM in response to madrugadda

Apple ID and Activation Lock


iCloud uses Apple ID credentials.


If you do not remember the Apple ID Password then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


If you do not remember the Apple ID then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support



If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.


If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their Apple ID.




iPhone stolen, re-covered, how to reset?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.