Losing your iPhone is stressful enough, not to mention the risk of being scammed. If your device is lost, keeping it linked to your Apple account is important – not only to protect your data, but also to ensure thieves can't profit from it.
Criminals can trick you into deleting your lost iPhone from your Apple account
When you enable Find My on your iPhone, this feature not only helps you track the device but also turns on Activation Lock. This feature links your iPhone to your Apple account, making the device unusable without your Apple account password.
Even if someone factory resets your phone, they won't get past the setup screen, rendering the device useless and unsellable. Meanwhile, you can still track the device through Find My.
The first thing you should do when your iPhone is stolen or lost is turn on Lost Mode. This mode allows you to add your alternate contact information on your iPhone home screen if someone finds the phone and is trying to return it. However, remember that this information can also be used against you.
A scammer may contact you impersonating Apple to try to pressure you to remove your iPhone from your Apple account, claiming that your data is at risk. They can also use intimidation tactics like threatening to sell your data or even sending you death threats, as some people have shared in the Reddit posts below.
Why should you never delete a lost iPhone from your Apple account?
Apple will never ask you to remove a device from your Apple account, so don't fall for the scam message. If your iPhone has a strong passcode, then there's no reason to worry.
However, if a scammer has access to your passcode and shares a screenshot of your personal data, remotely erase your iPhone immediately using the Find My app. This will protect your data while still being able to track the device.
In most cases, stolen iPhones are sent to countries like China to be sold for parts. However, if Find My shows that your iPhone is still nearby, contact local law enforcement to increase your chances of finding the device. For added security, the article also strongly recommends that you turn on stolen device protection to protect your iPhone when it is in an unfamiliar location.
With iOS 18, iPhone theft is even less attractive to criminals. Individual components are now linked to your Apple account, making them harder to sell for parts.
While you may not be able to restore your iPhone, ignoring phishing attempts can protect your private data. Greater awareness of these tactics also reduces the appeal of iPhone theft altogether.
