Found an iPhone and it's locked. How can I find out who the owner is?

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found a iphone its locked

I found a iPhone, its locked how do I know its the right owner trying to claim it , they gave a a code when typed in it says phone is disabled
 

anon(9602380)

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Re: found a iphone its locked

Welcome to iMore!

Ask for IMEI or Serial #. If it has Touch ID ask them to open it in front of you
 

Sherry_B

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Re: found a iphone its locked

I found a iPhone, its locked how do I know its the right owner trying to claim it , they gave a a code when typed in it says phone is disabled


If the phone is disabled then you cannot see the serial number. Turn it in at your local Apple store. If the right person comes in to claim the phone (Apple will probably contact them) they'll need both a State ID and proof of purchase (receipt has serial number and other identifiers on it) in order to get the phone.
 

california governor

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Re: found a iphone its locked

If the phone is disabled then you cannot see the serial number. Turn it in at your local Apple store. If the right person comes in to claim the phone (Apple will probably contact them) they'll need both a State ID and proof of purchase (receipt has serial number and other identifiers on it) in order to get the phone.

Remember each iPhone has it's IMEI etched on the back. Just saying, good advice nonetheless.
 

Sherry_B

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Re: found a iphone its locked

Remember each iPhone has it's IMEI etched on the back. Just saying, good advice nonetheless.

Thanks!


Mine doesn't. It only has the model number listed, the FCC number, and an IC number. No IMEI... that would worry me if it did. I bought mine directly from the Apple store, so it's legit.
 

Ledsteplin

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Re: found a iphone its locked

If the phone is disabled then you cannot see the serial number. Turn it in at your local Apple store. If the right person comes in to claim the phone (Apple will probably contact them) they'll need both a State ID and proof of purchase (receipt has serial number and other identifiers on it) in order to get the phone.

Apple says not to return found phones to them. They say turn it in to the police.
 

MaxSmarties

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Re: found a iphone its locked

Thanks!


Mine doesn't. It only has the model number listed, the FCC number, and an IC number. No IMEI... that would worry me if it did. I bought mine directly from the Apple store, so it's legit.
you are right. IMEI number is reported on the box, not on the phone.
 

libra89

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Re: found a iphone its locked

you are right. IMEI number is reported on the box, not on the phone.

The varied responses are interesting here. Both my 5s and the SE both have IMEI numbers on the back. I got the 5s secondhand, and I got my SE directly from the Apple Store. I wonder why it is so varied. Hmm.
 

Sherry_B

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Re: found a iphone its locked

The varied responses are interesting here. Both my 5s and the SE both have IMEI numbers on the back. I got the 5s secondhand, and I got my SE directly from the Apple Store. I wonder why it is so varied. Hmm.


After some research this is what I found;

IMEI is listed on:

6s - SIM Tray
6s Plus - SIM Tray
6 - Back Cover
6 Plus - Back Cover
SE - Back Cover
5s - Back Cover
5c - Back Cover
5 - Back Cover
4s - Nowhere on the outside
4 - Nowhere on the outside

I find this a bit shocking. The IMEI number should be protected on the inside of the phone.
 

Quis89

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Re: found a iphone its locked

Realistically there is very little that can be done with an IMEI number. One wouldn't get very far with only that number.
 

Sherry_B

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Re: found a iphone its locked

Realistically there is very little that can be done with an IMEI number. One wouldn't get very far with only that number.

You're wrong. I'm not going into a "HowTo" here and I'm not going to mention specific illegal activities, so do your own research. If you want to go off-topic, please begin a new thread.
 

Quis89

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Re: found a iphone its locked

You're wrong. I'm not going into a "HowTo" here and I'm not going to mention specific illegal activities, so do your own research. If you want to go off-topic, please begin a new thread.

I replied to the conversation that was taking place. Technically you already went off topic by listing all the phones and where there IMEI numbers are located in a thread that had NOTHING to do with that.

Hypocrisy is real, eh?
 

Quis89

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Re: found a iphone its locked

After some research this is what I found;

IMEI is listed on:

6s - SIM Tray
6s Plus - SIM Tray
6 - Back Cover
6 Plus - Back Cover
SE - Back Cover
5s - Back Cover
5c - Back Cover
5 - Back Cover
4s - Nowhere on the outside
4 - Nowhere on the outside

I find this a bit shocking. The IMEI number should be protected on the inside of the phone.

Start a new thread if you're going to go off topic please. :rotfl:
 

Quis89

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calm down mate... The discussion about IMEI is quite interesting.

Lol, I was trying to contribute to that discussion with my comment....

Realistically there is very little that can be done with an IMEI number. One wouldn't get very far with only that number.

And was told...

You're wrong. I'm not going into a "HowTo" here and I'm not going to mention specific illegal activities, so do your own research. If you want to go off-topic, please begin a new thread.

Despite the fact that you were all already having the discussion. Crazy how that works...
 

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