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Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?

128.157.160.13
Posted on February 13, 2017 at 14:07:27
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 I found an iPhone (I think 5 or 5s) on the sidewalk a little over a week ago. Its locked so I can't access any information on it. I picked it up assuming someone would call it and I would tell them to let the owner know to call it and we could arrange to get it back to him (I think him due to the picture on the screen). No one ever called or texted. I assume the owner had already canceled service and called it in as lost.

I called apple and they said there was nothing they could do about it. So what can I do? Is there anyway to find out who owns it? If not, is there anyway for me to reset it and use it? I don't really need it but don't want to throw it away. Its seems such a waste.

Nate

You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

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RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 13, 2017 at 14:18:18
fstein
Audiophile

Posts: 2997
Location: fstein
Joined: May 18, 2006
 1)KEEP IT CHARGED!!!!
2) Unless specifically disabled, and assuming a recent model with SIRI, ask SIRI!
say: call home, or call mom or dad, or call wife...etc.

3) Find the IMEI or MEID and contact their carrier (you may need to call more than 1 carrier)

Every iPhone has a unique number called an IMEI (or MEID for some CDMA phones) imprinted somewhere on it. The owner's carrier can use this information to track the owner down and hopefully contact them. It's best to just visit the carrier's store where they can then take possession of the iPhone and handle it from there. If you can't, you can always call the carrier over the phone and start from there. While they can't release information about the owner, they most certainly can help you track them down.
If the iPhone is powered on, you can tell what carrier they have by looking at the carrier name in upper left hand corner of the screen. The carrier name appears immediately to the right of the signal dots.

There are several ways to find IMEI or MEID info:

Check the back of the phone. Before iPhone 6s, Apple printed the IMEI at the back, bottom portion of the device.
Type *#06# into the Phone app. The phone's IMEI will display onscreen.
Eject the SIM tray on the side of the device and flip it over. Look for the IMEI to be printed on the back of the tray.

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 13, 2017 at 14:38:08
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 When I first found it, it said AT&T. I didn't think about the SIRI thing at first. Shortly after I found it, the network status says no connected or no network or something. I tried the SIRI thing but without a connection to the network SIRI won't work. I called an AT&T store to see if I could bring it by. They said sure. I asked what they would do with it and they said turn it over to apple. Apple told me they wouldn't do anything. Apple said there was nothing they could or would do about it. I asked if I should throw it away and the operator said she couldn't tell me to do that but couldn't offer anything else to do with it.

Nate
You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 13, 2017 at 18:48:51
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16246
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 Go to a Starbucks and SIRI should see their network and work.

But if it's locked now....

I'm surprised that AT&T didn't ask for the number and tell you that they'd notify the customer. But then, they'd rather seller the customer a new phone.

-Rod

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 13, 2017 at 18:51:44
Coner
Audiophile

Posts: 3703
Location: S.W. Washington state, USA
Joined: November 17, 2001
 If you check out Craigslist WANTED, there should be tons of
ads for wanting to buy locked up smartphones.

 

Yes!, posted on February 13, 2017 at 19:12:12
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13976
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 1. Find out who owns it and sell it back to them for a couple of hundred
dollars
2. Sell it to the highest bidder
3. See if you can unlock it somehow and keep it for yourself.

Or you could do the ethica thing and try to find the owner ...

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

RE: Yes!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 06:40:04
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 That is what I've been trying to do for over a week now. Apple and AT&T are no help whatsoever. I suspect they are more interested in selling a new phone than finding the original owner. Turning it in to ATT or Apple is equivalent to throwing it away as far as I can tell.

If you have any suggestions on how to find out who owns it, I'm all ears. I don't need it and its probably not worth much as its a model 5. I've got 2 iPhones (work/home), my kids are too young for a phone and my wife is happy with hers. I just don't want to throw it away.

Nate

You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

RE: Yes!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 06:58:59
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 'Apple and AT&T are no help whatsoever. I suspect they are more interested in selling a new phone than finding the original owner.'

Can you imagine how many calls a day AT&T and Apple get like yours? Thousands I would imagine......every single day. Both companies would need to create entire new divisions to handle lost phones.

Thousands of people loose their phones every day. The system is not set-up to handle absent minded owners. iPhones, like most modern consumer electronics, are designed to be disposable.

Throw it away.



 

RE: Yes!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 07:09:25
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 That is basically what Apple said but a bit more politically correct.

And I didn't mean my comment as a dig at Apple and ATT. What incentive would they have for returning lost phones to owners? They wouldn't make any money off the deal. In fact they probably stand to make more money if the phone isn't found. They are not the ones who lost the phone, the owner is. My point is that comment was to make clear that suggesting ATT or Apple could/would help is not a meaningful comment. They aren't interested in helping.

Nate

You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

RE: Yes!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 07:18:11
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13976
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 I don't have any suggestions for finding the original owner, other than
to check lost and found ads in your local paper and on Craigslist.

As re: Apple and ATT not being helpful, and having no incentive to help
find the owner, this is just another reason(s) not to deal with large
companies who do not give a damn about their customers. airlines are
another sterling example. My advice is not to deal with these people
and to urge others to act similarly. ATT is esp. bad in this regard.


Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

Donate it., posted on February 14, 2017 at 08:21:10
Todd A.
 Cell phones are fairly valuable in the scrap industry, as these things go anyway. I have a basis from which to speak, having been an e-scrap buyer for 4 years. Smart phones especially can often be wiped and refurbished, so just donate it to a charity that collects cell phones for such purposes. Here are a couple of examples that refurbish or recycle for soldiers and/or veterans:

https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

 

Wow thanks Apple!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 11:31:39
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 It's in their best interest to do nothing I guess. Sales sales sales!


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

security and privacy. Most likely those are the reasons.., posted on February 14, 2017 at 11:40:40
3+4=5
 I feel better knowing Apple is NOT going to give anyone ANY information about me. With the endless scamming and new scams being pulled all the time, I am glad Apple does nothing.
The ways folks can rip one off.. grow all the time.
Apple does a pretty good job of not giving anything out.
If I lose my smartphone, I guess I am big enough to not complain.

 

Agree, posted on February 14, 2017 at 12:08:11
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7729
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 They could have you mail it to them and they return it to the rightful owner without any privacy issue. Obviously not an option though...

 

Wait!, posted on February 14, 2017 at 12:54:59
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Nobody said Apple needs to give any stranger info. An Iphone buyer could opt in at purchase even for a fee for a third party company to offer the service so Apple can't be sued or whatever. They'd still get a piece of the $$. It could be as simple as an email. Where there is money there is a way. But like I said Apple doesn't care its chump change in comparison, they'd rather sell another phone.








ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Agree, posted on February 14, 2017 at 12:58:29
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 see above. No mailing. Drop it at the store and the owner gets an email sying he has X amount of time to collect it. After that it is donated to charity.
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

What Apple does provide, posted on February 14, 2017 at 13:28:43
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 is a nifty app called "Find iPhone" which you can use with another of your iOS devices (like a pad) or by logging into iCloud.

I prefer the proactive approach as opposed to waiting for someone to tell me. I once left my phone at an airport and didn't realize it until I had flown to a different location. I was able to remotely wipe its memory, if not get it back!

 

Its for security reasons, and for that I am thankful, posted on February 14, 2017 at 13:48:08
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 On a related note on smartphone security:

"A program in the United Kingdom to allow members of the armed forces to discuss military secrets using a smartphone will now involve a modified iPhone 7 with hardened security, replacing insecure Android devices

BT, the telecommunications company working on the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) project, intends to use the iPhone 7 as the "device of choice" for secretive communications, reports TechRepublic. Steve Bunn, BT technical business manager for defense, advises the iPhone 7 is being modified so it can switch between different modes of operation and levels of security, depending on the sensitivity of information involved in the call.

"We've been working very closely with [the MoD] to develop what we've commonly called a 'dual-persona device," said Bunn. "Essentially [it] means you can have voice at official and at secret."

Aside from allowing secure communications between personnel, work is also being put into making the iPhone useful for retaining sensitive data. "Secure storage containers," presumably involving some form of hidden or encrypted files and folders, could allow mission-critical secrets to be stored for later use, and could potentially be used to transport data between locations without broadcasting it over networks.

Due to security reasons, BT officials were not able to provide further details about the iPhone 7's customization.

The project didn't originally use an iPhone at the start, with BT opting for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, but that changed. "As more and more development and testing was done, the security wasn't deemed to be sufficient," states Bunn, with the iPhone's security credentials making it a more viable device.

BT business development director Derek Stretch notes there's another compelling reason to move to the iPhone. According to Stretch, the iPhone 7 is already widely used within the MoD for various purposes, which potentially makes deploying the more secure versions easier for both support teams and the users.

The switch to the iPhone 7 for security reasons goes against the smartphone market trend of high-security devices, such as the Boeing Black and the Silent Circle Blackphone. These high-priced smartphones usually employ a modified version of Android's that adds in more security-minded functions than the standard release used by manufacturers while also removing unneeded functionality.

By comparison, the difficulty of thwarting iOS security has forced parts of the U.S. government to take measures to try and weaken encryption with backdoors, though this is being met with resistance."



 

Good article but, posted on February 14, 2017 at 16:45:57
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 its about I7 and really doesn't apply to the stated scenario anyway. If "some phones" belong to organizatios or individuals with high level of security or whatever that's fine. My scenario is a program that an Iphone owner can only "opt into" for a fee. Anybody that doesn't want to be a part of that program doesn't have to be. I wasn't suggesting 100% compliance by every phone owner. So your article is nice but not germane to my subthread within ths thread. Just Abe touting Apple as you often do which is fine.




ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 15, 2017 at 05:41:28
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nate-

donate it!

 

Siri Can Help You, posted on February 15, 2017 at 12:07:10
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 If it's a 5 or 5S it should have SIRI.

Push the home button and say "Call house" "Call Mom" "Call Work" or the ever popular "Call ICE" (ICE is "in case of emergency"). Keep asking SIRI to call the obvious choices and random names. The phone does not have to be unlocked to make these calls.

 

By the way..., posted on February 15, 2017 at 12:18:31
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 If you want to keep your privacy and not turn on any of the "find my iphone" tracking software that basically puts a free GPS tracker on your ass 24/7, then do what I do and turn all that crap off and write a note that says

"IF YOU FIND THIS IPHONE PLEASE CALL 333-333-3333 FOR A $100 REWARD"

You take a picture of that note and make it your lock screen. That way your home number or whatever number you want is available to the person that found it and they can easily call your alternate number. $100 is cheap insurance.

 

Sure it's applicable..., posted on February 15, 2017 at 17:35:29
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Your assertion was that Apple is interested only in more sales but this is a security issue. And it's been a fact for quite some time now that iPhones, not just the iPhone 7, have been inherently more secure over the years than Android platforms. Just posted some supporting evidence that even military organizations recognize this.



 

RE: Sure it's applicable..., posted on February 15, 2017 at 18:19:06
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Again with this? Abe the iphone is the best phone and that has nothing to do with my reply and suggestion/request for them to be able to help out owners/users that want to opt into a program to help them if they lose their phone! How can you not understnd that?

I even said they could sub it out to a third party company, takea cut and surely many would jump at the chance. Security has absolutely ZERO to do with the points I made. I challenge you to reread the OP and all my replies. When you say its for security reasons what does "it's" mean? I think you wrongly assumed I suggested Apple would track and keep info on every phone they sold with user/owner info and have that data somewhere. BULLSHIT! I never said that you have reading comprehension issues.


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Sure it's applicable..., posted on February 15, 2017 at 21:15:06
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Yes, I see you've thought out all the security concerns including bringing in a third-party company - sure 'cuz we know third-party's have never had security breaches so they and their employees can be trusted.

Like I said, it's about security. You must have slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night 'cuz suddenly you're the corporate security expert and should be advising Apple on how to run their multi-billion dollar business. ;-)


 

RE: Sure it's applicable..., posted on February 16, 2017 at 08:29:40
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 people would have to opt in does that not mean anything to you? My God man! It is a service to help those who want it. No military or CIA guys phone or political figure would ever be on a list you fear like a baby. I only said the third party company could get involved if Apple didnt want to mess with it. You're wrong AND hard headed. Security my ass. A completey different database has just a serial number and an email so if someone loses their phone they get an email that it was found and where it is. PERIOD! I'm beginning to feel like its just you wont admit you were wrong. Security has ZERO to do with it as does that article proving Apple is better than Android, which only an idiot would think is untrue, that you referenced. Oh Abe I guess you are so caught up supporting Apple your brain is clouded. But like I said you're pretty damn smart so I really think your ego won't let you say you were wrong. Don't bother replying anymore cuz even if you do I won't read it. I gave you plenty of opportunity to come clean.


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 16, 2017 at 08:58:39
CaliforniaBob
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 2, 2004
 It was just announced that Apple stores deleted information on their cloud.
Arguing about who is more secure based on some single article is counterfactual.

designing a phone that is class a or class b secure? I would use Android
since there are alternative OS rootkits that you have access to source code and then to harden.

unlikely for apple since iOS is proprietary and only select ex-employees working on it know anything about it.
However, witnessing the recent ability/inability to unlock terrorist phones means there are people who can "unlock" it without Apple doing so.

"Secure" is better left to spy agencies and state-sponsored groups to develop, design, and harden.

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 16, 2017 at 09:38:30
dadbar
Audiophile

Posts: 1675
Location: Portland OR
Joined: June 29, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 25, 2006
 I went through a similar thing recently- I found an IPAD on a train.

Called Apple and they told me that I should just leave it charged and the original owner might activate the "find me feature"

After a day, I dropped it off with the lost and found at the train station so it is no longer my problem.

If you want it out of your life, you can drop it off at your police station.

 

RE: Sure it's applicable..., posted on February 16, 2017 at 12:32:16
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002

Oh, I see that you are.... Carrying On ;-)

See my first post to you after your comment:

Awe-d-o-file:
It's in their best interest to do nothing I guess. Sales sales sales!

AbeCollins:
Its for security reasons, and for that I am thankful

Is that so difficult?









 

RE: Siri Can Help You, posted on February 17, 2017 at 06:34:13
texanater
Audiophile

Posts: 1513
Location: Houston, TX
Joined: December 16, 2002
 Thanks for the suggestion, but without access to data SIRI doesn't function.
You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields

 

RE: Does anyone know what to do with a found iPhone?, posted on February 20, 2017 at 09:09:24
RickeyM
Audiophile

Posts: 2208
Location: East Coast
Joined: March 15, 2003
 If the phone's been reported lost, it's been internally locked by Apple. So it's effectively now a paperweight. I've seen iPhones unlocked by third party services only to have Apple re-lock the phone later on. Even if you somehow found the original owner, Apple will not re-activate that phone.

 

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