Have you ever stumbled upon a lost iPhone or iPad and didn’t know what to do? You want to want to give it back, but finding its rightful owner can be challenging, especially if the device was found in a public location.
Don’t give up and leave the iPhone or iPad behind to be lost forever or stolen. Instead, use these tips below to help the iOS device make its way back home.
✅ Check to See If the iPhone or iPad Is Unlocked
Turn on the iOS device and check to see if it is unlocked. You may be in luck and find that there is no passcode on the device. If you can access any contacts or messages, you can contact a friend or family member.
✅ Is It in Lost Mode?
If the owner is using iCloud, they can mark the phone as being lost. Lost Mode does two things:
- First, iCloud will notify the person when their missing iPhone is turned on and connected to the internet.
- Second, this Lost Mode also allows the owner to add a note that’ll show up on the Lock Screen. The notice can ask the person who found the device to call or message the specified number when the device is located.
✅ Ask Siri
Depending on how the iPhone or iPad is configured, you may be able to ask Siri. Simply activate Siri and ask “Who owns this phone?” If an owner has saved their contact information correctly, Siri will show their name, address, and possibly even their second telephone number.
You also can ask Siri to “Call Mom,” “Call Dad,” or “Call my wife.” With any luck, the iPhone may start to dial and you will be one step closer to finding the owner.
✅ Go to Their Wireless Carrier
If you cannot find any contact information on the phone, you can check the SIM card for a brand, and visit that local wireless carrier.
The wireless carrier can use the IMEI and serial number to locate the customer in their system. The wireless carrier then can contact the person who lost the phone in question.
This method is most effective shortly after the phone is lost. For example, if it has been years, the customer with the lost phone may have a new phone number, address, or email account.
✅ Turn to Facebook and Other Social Media Channels
I live in an area with very active social media groups. From a roaming flock of chickens to missing cell phones, there will be a Facebook post trying to unite a missing item with its owner.
Find your local social media groups and post the lost iPhone or iPad there. Don’t give specifics, though. Just mention where the device was found and whether it was an iPhone or iPad.
When people contact you about the device, ask for some identifying information, such as the color of the case or the model of the device (iPhone 12 Pro, for example), so you can ensure the phone is going to its rightful owner.
⌠What You Shouldn’t Do
- Don’t throw the iPhone or iPad away. You may not be able to do anything with it because it is locked, but the device still has materials that can be recycled or reused.
- Don’t sell the device either as most iPhones or iPads have Activation Lock and are effectively bricked. Activation Lock secures an iPhone or iPad until the original owner can enter their Apple ID and password. If you do not have the Apple ID credentials, no one will be able to use the device.
- Lastly, don’t bring the device to Apple as it won’t do anything to help find the owner. Apple won’t provide you with the contact details of the owner, nor will it contact the owner of the lost device. Apple will recycle it for you for free, though.