How to Discover if your used iPhone is Stolen
Find out if your used iPhone has been stolen with Apple Activation lock.
When you buy an iPhone from a site like eBay or Craigslist, there's always the chance that the iPhone you're buying has been stolen. iPhones are one of the hottest selling items on the black market because thieves can make a handsome profit off the stolen device.
To avoid purchasing a stolen iPhone, you can use Apple's Check Activation Lock Status to determine whether the iPhone has Find My iPhone Activation Lock turned off and has been wiped by its owner. If Activation Lock is turned off, then the used iPhone (iPad or iPod touch) is ready for you to use.
Find My iPhone includes a feature called Activation Lock that is designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Activation Lock is enabled automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone on a device using iOS 7 or later.
With Find My iPhone Activation Lock, your Apple ID and password will be required before anyone can:
- Turn off Find My iPhone on your device
- Erase your device
- Reactivate and use your device
This can help you keep your device secure, even if it's in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My iPhone turned on, and remember your Apple ID and password.
With Apple's new tool, you just need to enter the iPhone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or it's unique serial number to find out whether Activation Lock has been enabled.