Find iPhone: What to do if your iOS device is missing. What if scammers have blocked my tablet using Find iPad? How to get your phone out of Lost Mode

If you are the victim of a new iPhone stolen from you, then as soon as you notice this, you need to act immediately. You need to visit the iCloud website and lock your stolen iPhone. Using the Apple ID you have in stock, you need to be authorized on the iCloud.com website.

Your next action is to go to the "Find iPhone" branch. Clicking on the drop-down menu selects the iPhone or iPad (it depends on what was stolen from you). On the terrain map that appears, the location of the switched on device should be displayed with a green dot. This means you're in luck - the iPhone is turned on and registered online. If the dot is red, then he has been offline for at least a day.

After that, a window appears such as Lost Mode, and you must specify a password in it. If the password has not been set before, the system will automatically install it on the device.

When the stolen gadget contains important or just personal information, it can be deleted from it. There is a special menu for this. But there is no need to rush to reap it, because immediately after deleting the information, the device cannot be tracked on the map. It's up to you.

What needs to be done to be able to block a stolen iPhone

Before you go out with your iPhone for the first time, you need to set everything up correctly. You need to start by activating an option such as "Find iPhone" located along the path: settings - iOS - iCloud. There is also such a menu item as "Last Location". You need to make sure that it is active. By activating this item, you can track the geolocation of the device in the off state.

You can not ID and do not store it next to the phone. If you suddenly forget it, you need to immediately visit the Apple website, answer the questions and change this password.

It's great if you can take advantage of the lock capabilities using Touch ID. This will allow you to remove the lock using fingerprinting, which means using your fingerprint. Password activation can be done simply: Settings, Password, Password protection, switching to the Enable password mode. It is possible to activate the process of deleting information after 10 incorrect password entries.

Turn on Lost iPhone Mode

In order to activate the Lost Mode, you can use 2 methods:

  • iCloud from any computer, tablet or smartphone with an Internet connection;
  • from another iOS device.

Lost mode can be enabled in the web or iOS application, it is available only for devices that are directly running iOS 5.0 and higher. But this function is not available for flashing older iPhones.

From any computer or tablet, or even a smartphone in a web browser, you need to go to icloud.com and go to the Find iPhone application, log in with the Apple ID specified in the device settings "Settings -> iCloud -> Account".

Next, in the My devices menu (located at the top center), select the model of the device. In the window with information about the device, you must click on "Lost Mode". Then, you must enter the 4-digit lock password twice.

After that, the phone number is entered, which can be called in order to return the phone and click "Next". The number will be displayed on the screen of the device locked with a password. If you have lost or stolen an iPhone from which you can make calls, you can call the phone number you specified from its locked screen.

  • the phone will be locked with a password;
  • your message will be displayed on the lock screen;
  • the specified phone number will be displayed on the lock screen, where you can call even from a locked iPhone;
  • in the picture window this device you can see the inscription "Lost Mode";
  • on email, which was used when registering Apple ID, you will receive a message that the device has turned on Lost Mode;
  • Activation lock is turned on on the iPhone;
  • When you connect iPhone to iTunes, a warning will appear that the device is in Lost Mode and has been blocked.

If at the time of activation of Lost Mode the iPhone is not connected to the Internet, then iCloud will display a request to activate this mode. When the iPhone is connected to the Internet, the request will be immediately executed.

Lost mode is activated not only through iCloud, you can also do it from another device, the only requirement is that you have an Internet connection.

In order to block the stolen device you need: on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad you need to launch the Find iPhone application and log in with your Apple ID and password. You need to select the device you want to block and click on "Actions". Then click on "Lost Mode" and enable it.

Enter password, phone number, message text and click on "Done". A lock appears in the All Devices menu. The consequences for the device will be the same as when the mode was activated from iCloud.

Disable Lost Mode

Lost mode is much easier to turn off than turn on, it can be done in 3 ways:

  • from the locked device itself;
  • from iCloud in a web browser;
  • from the Find iPhone menu in iOS.

The easiest and fastest way to disable the mode is to disconnect from the locked device. You just need to enter the lock password correctly. After that, the device is unlocked and Lost Mode is deactivated.

To disable Lost Mode via iCloud, you need to do almost all the steps that are identical to the process of enabling Lost Mode. In the "My devices" menu, select the device on which the Lost Mode was activated and click on "Lost Mode". Next, you need to click on "Exit Lost Mode", confirm the request.

As a result, Lost Mode will be disabled, and the message and phone number will disappear from the locked screen, but the password will not be reset, you need to enter the password to unlock the device. After that, this password will be set in the form of a device lock code. Disabling Lost Mode is possible from the Find iPhone app on another iOS gadget. Moreover, the procedure is similar.

Lost mode is a wonderful feature, it can only become an obstacle for both intruders and legitimate owners. It turns out that it is impossible to change the lock password remotely, i.e. if the lock password was specified in the device settings and was accidentally forgotten, then disabling the emergency mode is possible, but it becomes impossible to get beyond the lock screen.

In this situation, iPhone recovery from Recovery Mode or DFU mode comes to the rescue.... It is possible to enter the iPhone into any of these modes from any state, iTunes can recognize the device in recovery mode and offer to restore it. After the recovery process, set up iPhone as new. But this is if you are the rightful owner and you have an Apple ID account from which Lost Mode was enabled.

Unfortunately, premium smartphones like the iPhone are increasingly becoming the target of cybercriminals trying to take possession of someone else's iPhone by all available means. And the problem of blocking and further searching for a lost or stolen iPhone by all available means is becoming more and more urgent. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to lock an iPhone is Lost Mode, which you can enable via iCloud.

Despite the fact that it is quite easy to activate and deactivate Lost Mode for an iPhone, iPad or Mac (if you are the rightful owner of the device), users often have questions like: "How to enable Lost Mode on iPhone?", "How to disable Lost iPhone?" , "How to unlock an iPhone with Lost Mode enabled?"

Today I would like to tell you absolutely everything I know about Lost Mode in Find My iPhone.

First of all, I would like to remind you that the iOS device lost mode refers to the emergency modes of the device. In this mode, the device will be completely locked and it is impossible to bypass the lock screen of the iOS device without entering the lock password. When you connect the device to a computer (possibly only with a USB cable) and launch iTunes, the program will display a warning that Lost Mode is activated on the connected device and actions with it are not available.

Features of Lost Mode

  • Lost Mode is only available for devices on iOS 5.0 and higher, and also Mac OS X;
  • turns on from any computer (Mac or PC), tablet or smartphone (iOS, Android, Windows Phone);
  • is activated in the web application or from any iDevice from the Find My iPhone application integrated into iOS;
  • if the "Find iPhone" function is not enabled in the iPhone or iPad settings (Settings -> iCloud -> Find iPhone), it will be impossible to enable Lost Mode on the device;
  • on iPhone, iPad or MacBook it is activated when the device is connected to the Internet;
  • in Lost Mode, the device is locked with a password specified in: Settings -> General -> Touch ID and Password (for iPhone 5s) and Password Protection (for iOS devices without Touch ID);
  • if a password is not set on the device, you will be prompted to enter a password when you turn on the lock mode;
  • 7 attempts to enter the wrong password block the device for 1 minute (it remains possible to make emergency calls);
  • in Lost Mode, you can call ON the iPhone;
  • in Lost Mode You can call from iPhone, but only to the number specified when you enable Lost Mode in iCloud;
  • in the lost iPhone or iPad mode, it is impossible (to restore or update) through iTunes using standard methods;
  • for in the Lost Mode, it must first be transferred to or Recovery Mode;
  • after flashing iPhone with Lost Mode enabled (from DFU Mode or Recovery Mode), the device turns on (Activation Lock);
  • activation lock on iPhone with "clean" iOS cannot be bypassed;
  • in order to enter the Apple ID and password from the account from which the lost device mode was enabled in iCloud.

As you can see, the Lost Mode function is certainly useful and allows you to reliably protect the device not only from unauthorized use (password lock), but also when flashing (activating the lock).

How to enable Lost iPhone Mode

Let's say you've lost your iPhone and want to activate Lost Mode on it. This can be done in 2 ways:

  • iCloud from any computer, tablet or smartphone with an Internet connection;
  • from any other iOS device, it can be an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

Requirements to activate Lost iPhone Mode

  • iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad with iOS 5.0 or later.
    Lost Mode is enabled in the Find iPhone web or iOS application, and therefore is only available for devices running iOS 5.0 or higher. For older versions of iPhone firmware (add link), the function is not available.
  • Mac with OS X 10.7.5 or later on board.

Turn on Lost Mode on iPhone in iCloud

  1. From any computer, tablet or smartphone in a web browser, go to the address: http://www.icloud.com/#find (you can go to the icloud.com website and go to the Find iPhone application) and log in with the one specified in device settings in the " Settings -> iCloud -> Account».

  2. On the menu My devices(located at the top of the page in the center) select your machine model.
  3. In the upper right corner in the window with information about your device, click on " Lost Mode«.
  4. Enter the four-digit number twice lock password(if it was not set in the iOS device settings earlier).
  5. Enter the phone number you would like to call to return the phone and click “ Further". The phone number will be displayed on the screen of the password-locked device.
  6. If you have lost your iPhone from which you can make calls, you can call the phone number you specified from its locked screen.

    Enter a text message asking you to return the machine. Be polite, offer a reward, don't threaten. Click " Ready».


  7. On the device, in our case on the iPhone, Lost Mode will be enabled, which means that:
  8. If iPhone is not connected to the Internet when you activate Lost Mode, iCloud will ask you to activate Lost Mode in the Find My iPhone app. As soon as the iPhone is connected to the Internet, the request will be immediately executed.

How to turn on Lost Mode from another iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad

Lost mode can be enabled not only through iCloud, it can be done from any other device with 5.0 and higher, the only requirement is that the gadget must be connected to the Internet.


How to turn off Lost Mode

Disabling the Lost Mode of an iOS or Mac device is much easier than enabling it, it can be done in 3 ways:

  • from a locked device (on which Lost Mode is enabled);
  • from iCloud in a web browser;
  • from Find iPhone to iOS.

How to turn off Lost Mode from a locked iPhone

The easiest and fastest way to disable the mode directly from the locked device. All you have to do is enter correct password blocking. Immediately after you enter the correct password, the device will be unlocked and Lost Mode will be deactivated.

An attacker can try to guess the lock password for your iPhone, but this will require 10,000 attempts, you must agree - not a little. Moreover, if you enter the wrong password 7 times in a row, the phone is locked for 1 minute.

Let's say, assuming that it takes 2 seconds to enter 4 characters, 10,000 attempts will take 20,000 seconds or 333.3333 minutes or 5.5555 hours. Taking into account the fact that every 7 attempts, and this is 14 seconds, you will have to wait 1 minute (60 seconds), it may take 105714.2857 seconds or 1761.9047 minutes, or 29.3650 hours to guess the password. Already something, but the goal is not worth it. You can rest assured that no one will pick up the password for the iPhone.

How to turn off Lost Mode in Find My iPhone via iCloud

Almost all actions are identical to the process of enabling this mode.


You can turn off Lost Mode from the Find My iPhone app on any other iOS gadget. The procedure is the same as in iCloud, I see no reason to repeat myself. If you have any difficulties, write in the comments.

Lost mode in iOS and OS X is a wonderful feature, but it can become an obstacle not only for intruders, but also for legitimate iPhone or iPad owners.

It turns out that it is impossible to change the lock password remotely (from Find iPhone in iCloud or another iOS device), i.e. if you specified the lock password in the device settings (when activating the Lost Mode, there will be no request to change this password) and accidentally forgot it, you can disable the emergency mode, but there is no way to get beyond the lock screen.

In this situation, comes to the rescue iPhone recovery from Recovery Mode or DFU mode. You can enter the iPhone into any of these modes from, iTunes will recognize the device in recovery mode and offer to restore (reflash) it. After restoring, set up iPhone as new. This is if you are the rightful owner, you have an Apple ID account with which you turned on Lost Mode.

If you do not have access to the Apple ID from which Lost Mode was enabled, you run the risk of turning the device into a "brick", the activation lock is responsible for this. After flashing, during the initial setup, you will be asked to enter the Apple ID and password from which Lost Mode was enabled, and if you cannot do this, turn on the iPhone or iPad in normal mode will not work in any way, the only way is to the Apple service center with proof that the device really belongs to you by right.

This procedure is dangerous because as a result of recovery (not to the current iOS) it will occur with a 99% probability, because it is impossible to restore the device to the firmware that is no longer signed (not up-to-date) by the Apple server. And this means you will not have to restore, but update iOS with the loss of the guaranteed jailbreak.

How to reset iPhone lock password remotely: from iCloud or another iPhone

It is impossible to reset or change the iPhone lock password set in Settings -> General -> Password protection (Touch ID and password) via iCloud or from another iOS device via Find iPhone.

Video on working with iCloud and its capabilities

Well that's all, I've tried to tell you everything I know about Lost Mode for iPhones, iPod Touch, iPad and Mac computers. As you can see, the mode allows you to protect iOS and Mac devices from theft or loss quite reliably and without any problems, but there are nuances that must be taken into account, one of which is to remember or write down the lock password.

If you have any difficulties, questions or errors, ask in the comments, I will try to promptly help and advise you.

Recently, we have begun to receive more and more letters and messages from our readers and friends about a new scourge that has overtaken users of Apple devices. At some point, the owner of an iPhone, iPad or Mac receives an email stating that his iCloud account was logged in from an unfamiliar device, and after that the gadget is blocked due to the enabled Lost Mode.

At the same time, an email address is displayed on the device screen, where you need to write in order to receive a password for unlocking. We researched this issue and found a discussion on the Apple Support Forum, the first post of which dates back to July this year.


The last message was written on October 17, and it also tells that the user has become a victim of scammers, and what to do is completely incomprehensible. Judging by the series of letters that device owners receive, first someone logs into the browser version of iCloud using their password, then turns on the lost mode on the device, after which another letter arrives informing about the location of the “missing” gadget.


After examining the correspondence in the support forum, we learned that even two-factor authentication does not save us from the problem: an attacker still somehow finds a way to go to iCloud.com and do his dirty business. In the press service of Apple we were informed that the company has recently updated the instructions for returning the "hijacked" devices under its control, and if you have suffered from this problem, we advise you to try to do everything that is described.

Meanwhile, some users who contacted Apple support were told that the company would soon unblock gadgets that were lost without the owner's authorization. However, no one says when and how this will happen.

If you also faced such a problem, we would be grateful for your comments. Please tell us what kind of device you have, what the symptoms of the problem were, and how you managed (if at all) to fix it.

UPDATED: Based on the successful experience of regaining control of the device, here's how you can solve this problem without having to pay a ransom or go to a service center. First, you need to go to iCloud.com, sign in to your account and go to the "Settings" section.

Here you find your device in the list and click on it, after which a cross icon will appear next to it. Press it and the gadget will be unlinked from your Apple ID.


Then we connect the device to the computer, launch iTunes and, holding the screen lock button and the Home button for eight seconds, enter our gadget into DFU mode. After that, just restore the system from the last saved backup. After that, your iPhone or iPad should be back to normal.

It's no secret that Apple mobile devices are quite popular among robbers. Apple has implemented a range of safeguards to make life as difficult as possible for attackers and to return the device to its rightful owner as soon as possible. First of all, it is a function. But today we will not talk about her, but about the Lost Mode, which should be activated in case of loss or theft of the apple device.

Lost Mode is available on all mobile devices with iOS 5.0 or higher when Find My iPhone is active. This mode is one of the emergency modes of the device and is necessary to block and further search for an iPhone or iPad. If Lost Mode is activated, then it is impossible to unlock the device without a special code, as well as to manipulate it through iTunes.

This mode is activated from another Apple mobile device or from a computer via iCloud. In this mode, the device is not flashed through iTunes using the usual methods. It is possible to call a locked smartphone, but it is possible to make calls from it only to one trusted number, and incorrect attempts to enter the password will lead to a temporary blocking of the smartphone or tablet.

Activating Lost Mode via iCloud

1. On a computer with Internet access, go to the site.
2. Log in with your Apple ID account.

3. Launch the web version of Find My iPhone.
4. Select your missing or stolen iPhone from the All Devices list.

5. Click the Lost Mode button.
6. If you did not set a lock password on your machine, do it now.

7. Enter a trusted phone number. This number can be called from a blocked device.
8. Type a text message to be sent to the missing iPhone. You can offer a reward to the finder.

As a result of these actions, the smartphone or tablet will be put into emergency mode. His lock screen will display the message you typed and the trusted number. It will be impossible to unlock the device without knowing the password.

Turn on Lost Mode from another Apple mobile device

1. On a mobile device with iOS 5.0 or higher, launch the Find iPhone app.
2. Log in using your Apple ID.

3. Select the missing device.
4. Tap on the Actions button.

5. Select Lost Mode and activate it.
6. Set a password, enter your phone number and type messages, just like with iCloud.
7. Click Finish.

Disable Lost Mode

If your device was found and returned, then now it becomes necessary to disable this emergency mode. This can be done through iCloud or other mobile device based on iOS. Also, Lost Mode can be deactivated on a locked device.

In the latter case, to disable the mode, you will need to enter the lock password correctly. It is possible to guess the password manually, but continuous brute-force will take too long, given the temporary blocking of input if the password is typed incorrectly. Therefore, the selection at random is impractical. And the owner can cancel the mode by entering the correct lock password.

Disable Lost Mode in iCloud

1. On your computer, go to the site.
2. Log in with your Apple ID and launch the Find My iPhone app.
3. Select the locked device from the list of devices.

4. Press the Lost Mode button.
5. Select Exit Lost Mode.
6. Confirm your decision.

Emergency mode will be disabled, but there is a small caveat. To unlock the smartphone, you need to enter set password... Also, this password will be automatically assigned as the iPhone lock code. You can change it in the system settings.

The procedure for disabling Lost Mode through another Apple mobile device is the same as described above. Be extremely vigilant, the lock password is vital to keep your iPhone safe. Therefore, you must not forget this password. If the password is lost, the device will need to be flashed with its preliminary input into DFU or Recovery Mode. After flashing, to return the iPhone to normal, you will need to enter the Apple ID from which Lost Mode was enabled.