Was Your iPhone Stolen? Don’t Remove It From Your Apple Account

Losing an iPhone is stressful enough without scammers trying to exploit you further. If your device goes missing, keeping it linked to your Apple Account is crucial—not just to protect your data but to ensure thieves can’t profit from it.

Criminals May Trick You Into Removing Your Lost iPhone From Your Apple Account

When you enable Find My on your iPhone, it doesn’t just help you track your device—it also turns on Activation Lock. This feature links your iPhone to your Apple Account, making it unusable without your Apple Account’s password.

Even if someone factory resets your phone, they won’t get past the setup screen, effectively rendering it useless and unsellable. Meanwhile, you can still track it via Find My.

The first thing you should do when your iPhone is stolen or lost is turn on Lost Mode. This mode allows you to add your alternative contact details on your iPhone’s Home Screen if someone finds your phone and is trying to return it. However, keep in mind that this information can also be used against you.

Scammers may contact you impersonating Apple to try to pressure you into removing your iPhone from your Apple Account, claiming your data is at risk. They may also use scare tactics like threatening to sell your data or even sending you death threats, as some have shared on Reddit posts like the one below.

Why You Should Never Remove Your Lost iPhone From Your Apple Account

Apple will never ask you to remove your device from your Apple Account, so don’t fall for scam messages. If your iPhone has a strong passcode, there’s little reason to worry.

However, if scammers gain access to your passcode and share screenshots of your personal data, immediately erase your iPhone remotely using the Find My app. This will protect your data while keeping the device trackable.

In most cases, stolen iPhones are sent to countries like China to be sold for parts. However, if Find My shows your iPhone is still nearby, contact local law enforcement to increase your chances of recovery. For added security, I also strongly recommend enabling Stolen Device Protection to safeguard your iPhone when it’s in an unfamiliar location.

With iOS 18, iPhone theft is even less attractive to criminals. Individual components are now tied to your Apple Account, making them harder to sell for parts, too.

While you might not recover your iPhone, ignoring scam attempts can protect your private data. Greater awareness of these tactics also reduces the appeal of stealing iPhones altogether.