Learn How To Lock Stolen Your Apple iPhone XS Properly

When it comes to security in smartphones, Apple stands at the forefront. The Activation Lock is a robust barrier to preventing unauthorized access and device theft. Losing your Apple iPhone XS can be a disturbing event, as accidents are inevitable. Taking prompt action to stop unauthorized data access becomes important. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to how to lock a stolen iPhone.

Part 1. Major Threats To Consider When iPhone Is Stolen

A lost iPhone can become susceptible to a myriad of threats. It could compromise your privacy, security, and personal data. Here are the reasons why learning how to lock your Apple iPhone XS when lost is essential:

1. Unauthorized Access to Personal Data: Thieves can exploit an unsecured Apple iPhone XS to gain unauthorized access to personal information. These include contacts, messages, emails, and photos.
2. **Financial Exploitation:**With access to your Apple iPhone XS, thieves may attempt to get stored payment methods.
3. Identity Theft: Stolen iPhones often contain a wealth of sensitive information. This makes them a prime target for identity theft.
4. Compromised Social Media Accounts: Using social media applications on your smartphone carries potential risks in the event of device loss. Unauthorized access to your social media accounts can lead to many problems, including misinformation and compromised privacy.

Part 2. Use Find My To Locate Stolen iPhone

On learning about how do I lock my stolen iPhone, Apple’s robust Find My feature emerges as a beacon of hope. It uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals to locate your Apple iPhone XS accurately.

Key Scenarios Where Find My Works

Find My can be a source to track stolen iPhones, but certain scenarios are associated with its operations. To know more about these scenarios, this section continues the discussion further below:

1. iPhone Turned On:Find My can provide real-time location tracking when your stolen iPhone is still powered on and connected to the internet.
2. **iPhone Turned Off or In Airplane Mode:**The last known location before the Apple iPhone XS device was powered down or put in Airplane Mode is accessible, offering a starting point for recovery efforts.
3. **Offline Finding with Bluetooth:**The Find My service leverages Bluetooth technology to create a vast network of Apple devices. With these, it can securely help locate your Apple iPhone XS, even offline.
4. **Activation Lock Integration:**This service is also integrated with Activation Lock, adding an extra layer of security. The Activation Lock remains active if a thief attempts to erase your device.

How To Use Find My To Locate Your Stolen iPhone

• Step 1. Access the Find My app on a trusted device and open it. If you can’t access one, use the iCloud website to access Find My service.

• Step 2. After logging in, select the lost device, and you can see its last recorded location on the map.

Part 3. Using Lost Mode To Lock Stolen iPhone

Lost Mode locks the Apple iPhone XS device and allows users to showcase a personalized message on the screen. This can help greatly in the safe return of the smartphone. The following are the simple steps you need to follow to learn how to block stolen iPhone with Lost Mode:

Activating Lost Mode Using Your Smartphone

• Step 1. Within the Find My app, tap “Devices” from the bottom toolbar and select your lost device. Now, scroll down to “Mark As Lost” and tap “Activate.”

• Step 2. You will now be given a summary of the Lost Mode; tap “Continue” to proceed. On the following screen, add a phone number, tap “Next,” and add a message that will be displayed on the lost device.

• Step 3. After adding a message, tap “Next” on the following screen and press “Activate” from the top right corner.

Activating Lost Mode Using iCloud Website

• Step 1. Access the iCloud website via your computer’s web browser. Sign in using your Apple ID, continue to click the “Grid” icon in the top right corner, and select “Find My.”

• Step 2. In Find My, add your Apple ID password again to access “All Devices.” Now, choose the lost device from the list of all devices in the top left corner. Then, click “Mark As Lost,” and the following pop-up Lost Mode prompt, tap “Next.”

• Step 3. Now go on to add your phone number and tap “Next.” Follow it by providing the message you want to display and click “Activate” to enable Lost Mode.

Part 4. Can’t Find Stolen Phone? Erase iPhone Completely

When efforts to locate a stolen iPhone fail, the need to protect sensitive data intensifies. As a result, the option to erase the Apple iPhone XS device becomes a crucial step instead of how to lock the Apple iPhone XS when lost. Here’s how to protect against the potential misuse of your information by erasing your device via Find My:

• Step 1. After accessing Find My service, choose the lost device from the list and click “Erase This Device.”

• Step 2. Select “Continue” on the erased iPhone screen for the Find My app. Once you’ve added the number, press “Erase” in the top right corner and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the procedure.

• Step 3. If using the iCloud website, tap “Erase This Device” and click “Next” on the upcoming prompt. You will be asked to enter the Apple ID password, after which you can use the on-screen guidelines to finish the process.

Part 5. Other Things To Do iPhone Is Stolen

There are additional measures you can take to enhance your overall security apart from understanding how do I lock my stolen iPhone. The following are some options you should utilize in case of device loss:

To Do List #1. Report to Police

If your Apple iPhone XS is stolen, it is crucial to immediately inform your local law enforcement agency. It facilitates the recovery process and assists in combatting criminal activities. Provide essential details about your Apple iPhone XS, such as the Model, color, and IMEI number. Share information about your efforts to locate the stolen iPhone using Find My.

To Do List #2. Make an Insurance Claim With AppleCare

You can claim insurance if you have AppleCare+ coverage for your Apple iPhone XS. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for iPhone includes protection against theft and loss incidents. It offers up to two incidents of such coverage every 12 months.

To qualify for theft or loss coverage, it is necessary for Find My to be enabled on your device at the time it goes missing. Moreover, it should remain enabled alongside Lost Mode throughout the claims process.

To Do List #3. Remove iPhone From Trusted Devices (2FA)

After your Apple iPhone XS is stolen, it becomes essential to bolster the security of your online accounts. It is particularly essential for those safeguarded by Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which needs to be removed:

From iOS Device Settings

• Step 1. Access Settings on an iOS device logged in with the same Apple ID as the lost one. Here, tap on your name on the following screen and scroll down.

• Step 2. Simply select the misplaced device, and in the subsequent interface, press “Remove from Account” to eliminate it from the list of trusted devices.

From the Apple ID Website

• Step 1. If you cannot reach a secure device, visit the http://appleid.apple.com website and sign in with the identical Apple ID.

• Step 2. Once logged in, click “Devices” from the left side and select the lost device. To remove this device as a trusted device, click “Remove from Account.”

Part 6. Precautions To Take for Avoiding Losing iPhone

Users can proactively adopt specific measures to reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence. The following essential precautions are recommended while learning how to block your Apple iPhone XS when stolen:

Precaution #1. Enable Find My on Device

Activating Find My increases the likelihood of recovering your device. Take the following steps to enable the Find My feature on your Apple iPhone XS:

• Step 1. On your iOS device, navigate to “Settings” and tap the Apple ID on the top. Now, scroll down and press “Find My” on the following screen.

• Step 2. Next, tap “Find My iPhone,” on the ensuing window, toggle “Find My iPhone.” This will enable the Find My service on your device.

Precaution #2. Enable Separation Alerts on iPhone

Enabling “Separation Alerts” assists in preventing the loss of your Apple iPhone XS by alerting you when you distance yourself from it. Follow these steps to enable Separation Alerts on your Apple iPhone XS:

• Step 1. Navigate to and launch the Find My app on your Apple iPhone XS. Select the Apple iPhone XS device from the “Devices” tab for which you want to enable separation alerts.

• Step 2. From the available options, tap “Notify When Left Behind,” and on the following screen, toggle “Notify When Left Behind.” You can also add locations on this screen by tapping “New Location,” for which you don’t want to receive a left-behind notice.

Precaution #3. Enable 2FA on iPhone

Activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enhances the security of your Apple iPhone XS. The mandatory secondary verification step makes 2FA crucial in securing your accounts. Follow these steps to enable 2FA on your Apple iPhone XS:

• Step 1. Access the Settings app on your iOS device and tap your name/Apple ID. Find and tap “Sign-In & Security” to proceed further.

• Step 2. On the following screen, tap “Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.” Follow it by tapping “Continue” afterward, and use the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Bonus Tip. Find Stolen iPhone Back but Locked? Unlock With Wondershare Dr.Fone

Recovering your stolen iPhone successfully can be a joyous event. Yet, the frustration of discovering your device locked due to a forgotten password can be disheartening. Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) offers a solution to regain access to your device. This robust tool is crafted to help users unlock various iOS screen lock scenarios.

It provides a hassle-free solution for those locked out of their devices. This powerful tool effortlessly removes various lock screens on iPhones and iPads. It can bypass the iCloud activation lock without the need for a password.

Key Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. If you are using iTunes for backup but have forgotten the iTunes backup encryption passcode, Dr.Fone can remove it without data loss.
2. This tool can remove Apple ID from your Apple iPhone XS or iPad if you have forgotten its password.
3. You can free up your device by removing MDM and carrier locks using Dr.Fone.

Steps To Unlock Your Locked iOS Device Using Wondershare Dr.Fone

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a comprehensive toolkit that addresses many iOS-related issues. It offers a user-friendly solution to unlock your Apple iPhone XS with the help of the following steps:

• Step 1. Launching Wondershare Dr.Fone and Accessing Toolbox

Once you have installed and launched Wondershare Dr.Fone, access the “Toolbox” tab. Click “Screen Unlock,” and on the following screen, choose “iOS.” Click “Unlock iOS Screen” on the following screen and link your iOS device to the computer.

• Step 2. Entering Recovery Mode and Choosing System Version

The next step requires you to put your device in Recovery Mode, for which you can follow the instructions given on-screen. After your device is in Recovery Mode, Dr.Fone will display its “Model.” Now choose the appropriate “System Version” and click “Start.” Here, Dr.Fone will start downloading the required firmware. Once it is downloaded and verified, tap “Unlock Now.”

• Step 3. Acknowledging Data Loss Warning and Initiating Unlock Process

To show your acknowledgment of the warning, enter the asked code, which is “000000.” Afterward, click “Unlock” to initiate the screen unlocking process. Once the process is complete, tap “Done” to conclude the procedure.

Conclusion

Knowing how to lock stolen iPhones is essential for safeguarding personal and sensitive data. Apple’s Find My empowers users to remotely locate, lock, and erase their lost devices. If you have recovered your stolen device but it is locked, Wondershare Dr.Fone emerges as the top choice to unlock it within minutes.

Tips: Are you searching for a powerful Screen Unlock tool? No worries as Dr.Fone is here to help you. Download it and start a seamless unlock experience!

How To Unlock Stolen Apple iPhone XS In Different Conditionsin

Whenever your Apple iPhone XS gets stolen, multiple concerns involve accessing the Apple iPhone XS device and stored data. However, you might get it back after some time only to find that your stolen iPhone is now locked. The reasons could be long inactivity or someone who has entered the wrong passcode multiple times.

These cases most probably lead you to search for how to unlock stolen iPhones. For this, we have outlined the best methods to unlock stolen iPhones in this detailed guide. From using built-in old methods to third-party tools, this article covers it all with easy-to-follow steps.

Part 1. [Easiest Way] Unlock Easily With Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

Now that we are familiar with certain scenarios, the first method that provides the simplest way to unlock a stolen iPhone is using Wondershare Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (iOS) . Users can easily continue using their locked device once they find it back after getting stolen. It is also possible that you might have activated Lost Mode by yourself to secure the data of the stolen device. But no need to worry, as Wondershare Dr.Fone offers a universal unlocking solution.

Wondershare Dr.Fone can unlock all lock screens, including Face ID and passcodes for the latest iOS models. If you have forgotten your Apple ID, this tool helps you remove it without any password. Even if MDM restrictions are imposed on your device, you can remove them without any data loss.

Notable Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. This tool is compatible with the latest iOS version and models, such as iPhone 15 and iOS 17.
2. Wondershare Dr.Fone removes iTunes backup encryption without asserting any damage to the data.
3. If your iOS device faces any carrier or SIM locks , Dr.Fone helps you remove it without any data loss.

Steps To Unlock Stolen iPhone With Wondershare Dr.Fone

After learning about the various iOS unlocking features Wondershare Dr.Fone offers, it is time to learn how to unlock a stolen iPhone. The steps below can help you quickly resolve the “I found my lost iPhone how do I unlock it” query:

• Step 1. Install Dr.Fone and Access the Built-In Toolbox

After installing Wondershare Dr.Fone, launch and navigate to the “Toolbox” section from the left panel. Continue to select “Screen Unlock” and continue by choosing “iOS” as the Apple iPhone XS device type.

• Step 2. Start Unlocking iOS Screen Lock

From the available features, proceed with “Unlock iOS Screen” and click “Start” to initiate the unlocking process.

• Step 3. Put iOS Into Recovery Mode and Specify Details

Moving on, you must put your iOS device into Recovery Mode. For this, follow the instructions on the screen based on your Apple iPhone XS model. Once it is in Recovery Mode successfully, you need to verify the Apple iPhone XS device details. Verify the “Device Model,” select the specific “System Version,” and continue to device unlocking by clicking “Start.”

• Step 4. Confirm the Unlocking Process and Successfully Execute

As the respective iOS firmware downloads, wait a few minutes and press the “Unlock” button. A prompt window appears where you have to enter the code “00000” to confirm the screen unlocking process. Once the iOS unlocking process is concluded, tap the “Done” button to check if you can access your Apple iPhone XS. Users with unsuccessful processes have the option to “Try Again” if required.

Part 2. [Old Ways] Using Siri To Unlock Stolen iPhone

It might come as a surprise to you that Siri can be used to unlock a lost iPhone. When you seek the answer to how to unlock a lost iPhone with Siri, you need to be aware of a very specific pointer. It is necessary to note that this method only works for devices operating between iOS 8 and 11.

This later turned out to be an anomaly in Siri that led users to unlock their iOS devices. If you have a device running within this iOS version range, learn how to unlock it with the provided steps:

• Step 1. Start by activating the Siri on your iOS device. Ask a simple question about time, like “What time is it?” Once Siri is active, a clock will display on your device screen. Next, access the clock and find the “World Clock” screen on your Apple iPhone XS. Tap the “+” button at the screen’s top right corner. Enter the name of any city in the “Search Bar,” tap Select All, and choose “Share.”

• Step 2. In the sharing options, look for “Messages.” As you access the next screen, type anything in the “To” section and continue to select it by navigating to the “Create a New Contact” option. When providing the contact details, tap the “Add Photo” button. Lead into the Photos app from there and swipe up the screen or press the “Home” button to access the home screen.

Part 3. [All Data Lost] Trying Recovery Mode for Unlocking Stolen iPhone

Another lifesaver method to unlock stolen iPhones is by utilizing the Recovery Mode. For this purpose, users need to connect their iPhones to their PC using iTunes . Its ability to facilitate data restoration makes it an effective method to unlock iOS devices. Rather than searching for “I bought a lost iPhone how do I unlock it,” simply follow the instructions below:

• Step 1. Connect your locked stolen Apple iPhone XS to the computer using a USB cable. To enter the Recovery Mode, you need to follow the steps below, depending on your Apple iPhone XS model:

• For iPhone 8 and Later: Press and release the “Volume Up” button, followed by the “Volume Down” button. Press and hold the “Side” button on the right side of the Apple iPhone XS device to activate Recovery Mode.

• For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the “Volume Down” and “Side/Power” buttons to enable Recovery Mode in iPhone 7 models.

• For iPhone 6 and Earlier: To activate Recovery Mode, press and hold the “Home” and “Side/Power” buttons until the respective screen displays.

• Step 2: Once your Apple iPhone XS is in Recovery Mode, iTunes will detect it automatically. A pop-up window will appear within iTunes to detect some problems with the Apple iPhone XS device. Tap the “Restore” button to start the process and unlock your Apple iPhone XS by erasing all settings and content.

Part 4. Using Third-Party Unlocking Service To Unlock Stolen iPhone

In certain scenarios, when an iPhone gets stolen, it might enable the “Activation Lock.” This usually occurs to prevent the unauthorized access and usage of the Apple iPhone XS device. When you face such a situation, third-party unlocking services can help you bypass the Activation Lock.

These services include IMEIUnlockSIM , IMEICHECK.CO and Apple iPhone Unlock . Below, we have outlined steps for using Apple iPhone Unlock to help you with how do I unlock a stolen iPhone issue:

Instructions: First, access the Apple iPhone Unlock official website and enter the IMEI number of the Apple iPhone XS device. Select the particular iOS device model and continue to select “Remove Activation Lock.” Following this, review the order summary and pay the fee with the required option. Upon successful completion of payment, the service will contact you for instant unlocking within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Getting a stolen iPhone back is surely the best thing, but facing a device unlock situation worsens things. However, to help you with how to unlock a stolen iPhone, we have discussed 4 effective methods. Wondershare Dr.Fone is the best among these options. This screen unlock tool facilitates users with various screen unlocking options using the simplest methods.

Tips: Are you searching for a powerful Screen Unlock tool? No worries as Dr.Fone is here to help you. Download it and start a seamless unlock experience!

Forgot Apple iPhone XS Backup Password? Here’s What to Do

Forgetting your Apple iPhone XS backup password can be a real pain. Not only does it mean you can’t access your data, but it also means you can’t restore your phone if something goes wrong.

There are still chances that you could forget your Apple iPhone XS backup password. Fortunately, you have a chance to recover your password. So, if you’re having trouble remembering your Apple iPhone XS backup password, don’t despair. There are still ways to get it back!

Part 1: Overview of iPhone Backup Password

The Apple iPhone XS is secured using a combination that is the backup password. Passwords, Wi-Fi settings, browser history, and health records are sensitive information that an encrypted device may back up.

Remember that this is not the same as your Apple ID or passcode (the sequence you input to unlock the iPhone).

Note:

The encryption of backups is not turned on by default. You will only need to activate the Encrypt Backup option the first time you use either iTunes or Finder. After that, each of your backups will encrypt on its own automatically.

So, if you choose to store your backups in iCloud, it will automatically encrypt all of your data each and every time.

To get the password for the encrypted backup of iTunes:

Step 1: Open iTunes

Launching iTunes is the first thing to do if you have a Mac computer running Mojave 10.14 or an older operating system version. On the other hand, if you use the Mac operating system known as Catalina 10.15, you need to run the Finder application.

Step 2: Link your Apple iPhone XS to your PC

At this point, a USB cable should be used to connect the Apple iPhone XS device to a computer. The next step is to find the widget on your desktop computer or portable device.

Step 3: Begin the Encryption Process

Select the Encrypt Local Backup option in the Backups section directly from either the Summary or General tab of the Backups section.

Step 4: Create a Password

When prompted in the window, create a password for the account. Make it powerful yet that is simple for you to remember. You might also save it somewhere secure to help you recall it later.

After establishing the password, all your previous backups will immediately undergo an automated overwrite and encryption. Make it a priority to ensure that the encryption procedure is finished effectively.

Part 2: 5 Fixes When We Forgot iPhone Backup Password

1. Try all passwords you used on your Apple iPhone XS

The typical method that each individual attempts for the first time is to input all of the available passcodes. Even if it is the most straightforward technique, there is still a possibility that you miss one of them. Therefore, think about all of the passwords you may input, which are listed below.

• The password to log in to the computer
• The password to access Apple ID
• The password to access the encrypted data on the hard disk
• The password to access various websites
• The password to log in to the computer
• Password for the wireless network
• Password for the email account
• Passcode for the administrator
• Passcode for the iPhone

2. “Reset All Settings” via “Settings”

To begin, go to the Settings app on your iOS device, then choose General, followed by Reset.

You may now go to Reset All Settings and confirm by entering the security passcode when prompted. Then, your phone will automatically go through the process of resetting and returning to its default settings.

You can also get rid of the password for the last backup without deleting any other apps or data.

Use a USB cable to link your Apple iPhone XS to your PC. Look at the small iOS icon in the figure below. Just click on it.

Proceed to the Summary Page and make your selection there for The Computer. After selecting Encrypt Local Backup, you must create a new password. After you have pressed the Backup Now option, wait for iTunes to create a new password for you.

3. Find your password in the macOS keychain

Step 1: Launch Keychain Access by going to Application > Utilities > Keychain Access once your Mac has booted up.

Step 2: Check for a backup of your Apple iPhone XS by entering it into the search box and looking for it there.

Step 3: Double-click the Show Password option, and then choose it from the drop-down menu. After that, type in the password for the keychain. At long last, the password for your Apple iPhone XS backup will be shown.

4. Select “Back Up Now” via iCloud to remove password

If you already have a backup stored in iCloud, you may use iCloud for recovery.

First, power up the gadget and look for the “Hello” screen. If you have previously set up your Apple iPhone XS, you must delete or remove all of the material before continuing.

Navigate to the Apps & Data menu and choose the Restore from iCloud Backup option.

After successfully signing in with your Apple ID, choose Backup.

During the time that the system is being restored, it is essential that the Wi-Fi connection remains active.

5. Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock

With Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock, it’s easy to follow all the steps to get rid of the iTunes backup password.

Step 1: After installing Dr.Fone, open it and look for the red Screen Unlock button.

Step 2: In the Screen Unlock interface, tap Remove iTunes BackUp Encryption in the bottom right corner to move forward.

Step 3: When you get to this page, use a USB cable to connect your iOS device to the PC. If Dr.Fone can find this connection, you will see the picture below.

Before you click Remove Now, please carefully read the following three notes:

• Make sure to turn off Find My iPhone.
• Don’t open iTunes while doing this.
• Your device will reboot

Step 4: Dr.Fone can check your iTunes backup and delete it by itself. This encryption will be erased when the progress bar reaches 100%. This will take a short time to do.

Step 5: The encryption on the iTunes backup has been removed successfully! Now you can easily back up, restore, move, or wipe your device.

Part 3: 3 Tricks to Help You Remember the Passwords

If you have an iPhone, you know it can be tricky to keep track of all your passwords. From your email password to your banking login, there are a lot of different codes to remember.

Here are three tricks to help you keep track of your passwords so you don’t have to stress the next time you can’t log in to your account.

1. Turn on “AutoFill” in “Settings”

You can turn on AutoFill in the Settings app. This will allow your Apple iPhone XS to fill in passwords when you visit websites and apps automatically. All you need to do is ensure you’ve entered the correct username and password once, and your Apple iPhone XS will save the information, so you don’t have to enter it again.

2. Try iCloud Keychain to keep your passwords

iCloud Keychain is a great way to keep all your passwords in one place. Once you’ve turned on the iCloud Keychain, all your passwords will be synced across your devices. That means if you create a new password on your laptop, it will automatically appear on your Apple iPhone XS.

3. Use Notes for passwords

If you’re finding a simple way to keep all your passwords, try using the Notes app. Create a new note and title it “Passwords.” Then, add it to the note whenever you create a new password.

You can even add a description of the password, so you remember which account it’s for.

The Bottom Line

As a last piece of advice, please safely save your newly created passwords. Rather than writing them down in the iPhone’s notepad, you should save the passwords in a secure location.

However, no matter how secure your gadget is, password leakage may happen, sending you to unpleasant situations that you can’t even conceive. It’s best to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock as soon as you encounter any problem!