How to check if an iPhone is stolen.

Buying a used iPhone can be a great opportunity to save money, but it's important to check if the device has been stolen or lost before making the purchase. If you buy a stolen iPhone, you could find yourself in a difficult situation and risk losing not only your money, but also your time.

In this article, I'll show you how to check if an iPhone has been stolen or lost using various options available online and offline. Additionally, I'll explain how to avoid buying a stolen iPhone and what to do if you discover that your iPhone has been stolen or lost.

Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about checking if an iPhone has been stolen or lost.

Check your iPhone's IMEI code

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code is a unique identifier assigned to every mobile device, including the iPhone. Checking your iPhone's IMEI code can help you understand whether the device has been stolen or not.

How to find your iPhone's IMEI code

There are several ways to find your iPhone's IMEI code:

• Settings: Open Settings and go to General > About. Scroll down until you find "Serial Number" and tap on it to view the IMEI code.
• SIM card: Remove the SIM card from the iPhone's slot and look for the number printed on the card itself.
• iTunes: Connect the iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and select the device icon. You'll find the IMEI code on the summary screen.

How to check if an iPhone has been stolen using the IMEI code

After finding your iPhone's IMEI code, you can check if it has been reported as stolen using one of the following methods:

• Apple website: Go to Apple's official website at https://www.apple.com/support/iphone/repair/verify-iphone/ and enter your iPhone's IMEI code in the search box. If the device has been reported as stolen, a message will appear indicating so.
• CheckMEND website: CheckMEND is a website that provides information on the blocking status of mobile devices. Go to the website at https://www.checkmend.com/ and enter your iPhone's IMEI code in the search box. The site will tell you whether the device has been reported as stolen or lost.

Remember that if you discover that your iPhone has been stolen, you must immediately contact the relevant authorities and report the theft.

Check the lock status of your iPhone

Once you've checked your iPhone's serial number, you can proceed to check its lock status. There are several ways to do this, but below we'll explain the two most common methods.

Method 1: Check through Apple's official website

• Access the official Apple website.
• Click on the "Support" section.
• Enter the serial number of your iPhone in the search bar and click "Search".
• Scroll down to the "Technical Specifications" section and look for the "Activation Lock" entry. If this entry shows as "Off", it means that your iPhone is not locked.

Please note that this method only works if your iPhone has not been activated yet. If your device has already been activated, you will need to use the second method.

Method 2: Use the Find My iPhone app

• Download the Find My iPhone app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Login with your Apple ID credentials.
• Find the iPhone you want to check.
• Select the iPhone and check its activation lock status. If it shows as "Off", it means that your iPhone is not locked.

Please note that in order to use this method, your iPhone must have been activated and you must have access to the Apple ID account associated with the device. Additionally, if your iPhone is found to be locked, you may need to contact the previous owner or Apple customer service to unlock it.

Use the Find My iPhone app to verify ownership of your iPhone

The Find My iPhone app is a very useful tool for verifying whether an iPhone is stolen or not. This application allows you to locate your device, lock it, and even erase all data remotely. But how can it help you verify ownership of your iPhone?

Firstly, make sure that you have activated the Find My iPhone app on your device. You can do this by going to the settings on your iPhone and tapping on your name at the top of the screen. Then select "iCloud" and scroll down until you find "Find My iPhone". Make sure that it is turned on.

After activating Find My iPhone, you can use it to verify whether your iPhone has been registered with a legitimate iCloud account. To do this, open the Find My iPhone app on another Apple device or log in to the iCloud website from your computer.

Once logged in, select "All Devices" and look for your iPhone in the list. If your device appears correctly and shows its exact location on the map, it means that it has been registered with a legitimate iCloud account. Conversely, if you cannot find your device or if it shows an incorrect location, it may have been stolen or lost.

In addition to verifying ownership of the device, you can also use the Find My iPhone app to lock your iPhone so that no one can access it. If you suspect that your device has been stolen, you can also use this application to remotely erase all data and prevent access to your personal information.

In summary, the Find My iPhone app is a very useful tool for verifying ownership of your iPhone and protecting your personal data in case of loss or theft of the device.

Check your iPhone's serial number

To check if an iPhone has been reported as stolen or lost, you can use the device's serial number. The serial number is a unique alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies each Apple device.

To find your iPhone's serial number, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to "Serial Number". You can also find the serial number on the original packaging of your iPhone or on the back of the device itself.

After finding your iPhone's serial number, you can verify it online using one of the free services available. One of the most reliable is iUnlocker, which allows you to enter your device's serial number to check its authenticity.

• Go to https://iunlocker.net/check_imei.php
• Enter your iPhone's serial number in the "IMEI/Serial" field
• Click on the "Check" button

After a few seconds, iUnlocker will provide you with detailed information about your iPhone, including warranty status and whether the device has been reported as lost or stolen.

Remember that verifying the serial number does not guarantee 100% that the iPhone is not stolen. However, if it is reported as lost or stolen, it is likely that the device has been stolen or lost. In this case, immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

Conclusion

Checking if an iPhone is stolen is an important step to take before purchasing a used device. There are several options available to perform this check, such as the phone operator's website or Apple's "Find My iPhone" application.

In addition, it is important to pay attention to any signs that may indicate that the device has been stolen, such as a price too low compared to the market value or the lack of original accessories.

Buying a stolen iPhone can lead to legal consequences and the loss of money spent on the purchase. Therefore, it is always better to be cautious and perform all necessary checks before proceeding with the purchase.

Always remember to protect yourself when buying used devices and do thorough research before making any purchase decisions. We hope this article has been helpful in understanding how to check if an iPhone is stolen.