[scottiemac22]

So I just get a call from a store that I had turned in an iphone about a year ago telling me that it had been a year and no one had claimed the iphone and as per their lost and found policy, it is now mine. I have an iPhone 5c so what options do I have for this phone? I did plug it in and it is locked. Any help would be appreciated

[scottiemac22]

If anyone else who can please take the time to read the original post and can offer any real help then please reply

[EmceeGeek]

If the phone is unlocked without a passcode and they say it's yours and hasn't been claimed, sell it. Unless you can find the owner. Chances are they've already moved on. ESN might be locked, in that case toss it or sell for parts.

LOL nice try!! The iPhone 5c hasn't even been out a full year.

edit: and the fact you turned in this "lost" phone a year ago means you turned it in before it was even released ROFL, at least make a believable story when you steal something...

He didn't say he found a 5c, he said he has a 5c.

[scottiemac22]

Well it is locked with a passcode, but I do not necessarily want to sell it, it might have pictures on it that are valuable to the original owner, how would I even go about finding the original owner?

[Beyond Fire]

He didn't say he found a 5c, he said he has a 5c.

I have an iPhone 5c so what options do I have for this phone? I did plug it in and it is locked. Any help would be appreciated

This sounds like he was definitely implying that it was a 5c that he found.

[Just_Me_D]

This sounds like he was definitely implying that it was a 5c that he found.

Naw man. You were flat out wrong in this regard........the OP stated, "I just get a call from "a store" that I had turned in an "iphone" about a year ago...". He did not say that he turned in an iPhone 5C nor did he say that Apple called him. .......c'mon now. Man up and apologize....lol

[taz323]

This sounds like he was definitely implying that it was a 5c that he found.

But the title of the thread is - Lost and found iPhone 5
Lets move on.

[scottiemac22]

I don't know what ESN is... And I would at least like to try and find the original owner, but I can't access anything on the phone.

[Beyond Fire]

Naw man. You were flat out wrong in this regard........the OP stated, "I just get a call from "a store" that I had turned in an "iphone" about a year ago...". He did not say that he turned in an iPhone 5C nor did he say that Apple called him. .......c'mon now. Man up and apologize....lol

But the title of the thread is - Lost and found iPhone 5
Lets move on.

Alright my apologies to you guys and Scottie.

[Just_Me_D]

So I just get a call from a store that I had turned in an iphone about a year ago telling me that it had been a year and no one had claimed the iphone and as per their lost and found policy, it is now mine. I have an iPhone 5c so what options do I have for this phone? I did plug it in and it is locked. Any help would be appreciated

When you say it is locked, are you referring to the lockscreen or the iCloud activation lock? Heck, either way it's a crap shoot and you have nothing to lose. Your options are as follows:
1. Put it in DFU mode, and try restoring it via iTunes.
2. Try selling it, but be sure to let prospective buyers know that the phone is locked and was initially a lost and found item.

[taz323]

I don't know what ESN is... And I would at least like to try and find the original owner, but I can't access anything on the phone.

If the owner turned on and activated the activation lock- it will need a passcode to unlock. No way around it.

[scottiemac22]

Appreciate all the help everyone, and sorry for my part in that fracas... Not the impression as a new member I wanted to convey.

[scottiemac22]

When you say it is locked, are you referring to the lockscreen or the iCloud activation lock? Heck, either way it's a crap shoot and you have nothing to lose. Your options are as follows:
1. Put it in DFU mode, and try restoring it via iTunes.
2. Try selling it, but be sure to let prospective buyers know that the phone is locked and was initially a lost and found item.

Thanks... 'It's a Canes Thing, U Wouldn't Understand' Can always depend on a member of The U family...

[ajl]

Appreciate all the help everyone, and sorry for my part in that fracas... Not the impression as a new member I wanted to convey.

No worries. Good luck!

[taz323]

Appreciate all the help everyone, and sorry for my part in that fracas... Not the impression as a new member I wanted to convey.

Welcome to iMore, take a look around, there is a lot of members here willing to help.

[Ledsteplin]

He didn't mention checking with or turning it in to the police. The store probably just held it there. The owner may have filed it lost or stolen with the police.

[ajl]

He didn't mention checking with or turning it in to the police. The store probably just held it there. The owner may have filed it lost or stolen with the police.

I'm sure the store called the police to let them know the situation.

[Just_Me_D]

Thanks... 'It's a Canes Thing, U Wouldn't Understand' Can always depend on a member of The U family...

"U" know it...

[Just_Me_D]

He didn't mention checking with or turning it in to the police. The store probably just held it there. The owner may have filed it lost or stolen with the police.

If a store has a Lost & Found section, the police will more than likely opt to leave it with the store instead of confiscating it and turning it in to an already crowded police evidence section, in my opinion.

[EmceeGeek]

Appreciate all the help everyone, and sorry for my part in that fracas... Not the impression as a new member I wanted to convey.

It's no problem. Haha

[darkoman4]

Look buddy. The phone is locked and there is nothing more you can do for the previous owner. There is nothing you can do to salvage any photos the person had in it or any other data. So the best course of action would be to try and salvage any part someone needs to repair his own phone. Better for the environment to try and recycle as much as possible. Sell it on ebay or cell repair shop. Someone could use it.