Phone stolen - what’s the worst that can happen?
Discussion
I’ve an iPhone 11 and use faceid and pin (if faceid doesn’t work) to login.
If the phone gets stolen what’s the worst that could happen?
I’ve read lots of stolen phones end up in China where they’re broken down for parts. But is there any realistic chance any could access my phone or bank accounts etc on it?
Also I’ve heard of people doing remote resets but doesn’t that then give the thief a working unlocked phone?
If the phone gets stolen what’s the worst that could happen?
I’ve read lots of stolen phones end up in China where they’re broken down for parts. But is there any realistic chance any could access my phone or bank accounts etc on it?
Also I’ve heard of people doing remote resets but doesn’t that then give the thief a working unlocked phone?
There is a slim chance. Phones can be accessed relatively easily with the right equipment despite what some manufacturers may tell you.
The odds are whoever has it does not have the skills or equipment to do anything beyond flog it for a few quid.
Personally I'd change your email password as a bare minimum as banking etc will use this for password resets/2FA etc.
The odds are whoever has it does not have the skills or equipment to do anything beyond flog it for a few quid.
Personally I'd change your email password as a bare minimum as banking etc will use this for password resets/2FA etc.
There's been a few youtube vidoes that take you through how phone stealing with iphones commonly works.
Basically they observe you typing in your PIN, either intentially geting you to, or just watching. Once they have that and your phone they can lock you out of your icloud account so you can't then remotely wipe, and can't get at any photos or anything you stored. then they reset your security and off they go with apple pay and cards in your wallet. That's directly on your phone, they also have access to your email, so can do "forgot password" and get access to all your online accounts too.
In the later versions of IOS, Apple have introduced "Stolen Device Protection", which will require face ID only, and adds hour delays on changing security settings among other things. I'd really suggest anyone with an iphone have a look at enabling it, and as stated above, moving to Password instead of pin.
Basically they observe you typing in your PIN, either intentially geting you to, or just watching. Once they have that and your phone they can lock you out of your icloud account so you can't then remotely wipe, and can't get at any photos or anything you stored. then they reset your security and off they go with apple pay and cards in your wallet. That's directly on your phone, they also have access to your email, so can do "forgot password" and get access to all your online accounts too.
In the later versions of IOS, Apple have introduced "Stolen Device Protection", which will require face ID only, and adds hour delays on changing security settings among other things. I'd really suggest anyone with an iphone have a look at enabling it, and as stated above, moving to Password instead of pin.
As above , enable the latest security features if you can. Set a long passcode or password. 4 digit pins are not secure. Use face ID if it has it. Set up 2FA on any accounts you can. Set a STRONG Apple ID password.
Use different dedicated email addresses for shopping, banking, work, personal. Don't use the same email with a crap password for everything.
Best advice is don't let anyone steal it.
Use different dedicated email addresses for shopping, banking, work, personal. Don't use the same email with a crap password for everything.
Best advice is don't let anyone steal it.
Edited by megaphone on Monday 15th April 13:16
There is a setting in screen time that allows you to block account changes in the event somebody has seen your pin, I have it set as an extra layer of security:
https://www.cultofmac.com/807571/add-password-to-i...
Screen time
Content and privacy restrictions
Account changes
Allow/don’t allow
Set and use a code to alter this.
Once don’t allow is set, your account details are greyed out and can’t be altered without resetting the screen time setting to allow.
https://www.cultofmac.com/807571/add-password-to-i...
Screen time
Content and privacy restrictions
Account changes
Allow/don’t allow
Set and use a code to alter this.
Once don’t allow is set, your account details are greyed out and can’t be altered without resetting the screen time setting to allow.
phil4 said:
There's been a few youtube vidoes that take you through how phone stealing with iphones commonly works.
Basically they observe you typing in your PIN, either intentially geting you to, or just watching. Once they have that and your phone they can lock you out of your icloud account so you can't then remotely wipe, and can't get at any photos or anything you stored. then they reset your security and off they go with apple pay and cards in your wallet. That's directly on your phone, they also have access to your email, so can do "forgot password" and get access to all your online accounts too.
In the later versions of IOS, Apple have introduced "Stolen Device Protection", which will require face ID only, and adds hour delays on changing security settings among other things. I'd really suggest anyone with an iphone have a look at enabling it, and as stated above, moving to Password instead of pin.
Thanks. I have enabled SDP.Basically they observe you typing in your PIN, either intentially geting you to, or just watching. Once they have that and your phone they can lock you out of your icloud account so you can't then remotely wipe, and can't get at any photos or anything you stored. then they reset your security and off they go with apple pay and cards in your wallet. That's directly on your phone, they also have access to your email, so can do "forgot password" and get access to all your online accounts too.
In the later versions of IOS, Apple have introduced "Stolen Device Protection", which will require face ID only, and adds hour delays on changing security settings among other things. I'd really suggest anyone with an iphone have a look at enabling it, and as stated above, moving to Password instead of pin.
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