Learn How To Lock Stolen Your Apple iPhone 12 mini 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 12 mini 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 12 mini when lost is essential:

Unauthorized Access to Personal Data: Thieves can exploit an unsecured Apple iPhone 12 mini to gain unauthorized access to personal information. These include contacts, messages, emails, and photos.
**Financial Exploitation:**With access to your Apple iPhone 12 mini, thieves may attempt to get stored payment methods.
Identity Theft: Stolen iPhones often contain a wealth of sensitive information. This makes them a prime target for identity theft.
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 12 mini 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:

iPhone Turned On:Find My can provide real-time location tracking when your stolen iPhone is still powered on and connected to the internet.
**iPhone Turned Off or In Airplane Mode:**The last known location before the Apple iPhone 12 mini device was powered down or put in Airplane Mode is accessible, offering a starting point for recovery efforts.
**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 12 mini, even offline.
**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 12 mini 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 12 mini device becomes a crucial step instead of how to lock the Apple iPhone 12 mini 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 12 mini 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 12 mini, 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 12 mini. 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 12 mini 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 12 mini 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 12 mini:

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 12 mini by alerting you when you distance yourself from it. Follow these steps to enable Separation Alerts on your Apple iPhone 12 mini:

Step 1. Navigate to and launch the Find My app on your Apple iPhone 12 mini. Select the Apple iPhone 12 mini 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 12 mini. The mandatory secondary verification step makes 2FA crucial in securing your accounts. Follow these steps to enable 2FA on your Apple iPhone 12 mini:

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

If you are using iTunes for backup but have forgotten the iTunes backup encryption passcode, Dr.Fone can remove it without data loss.
This tool can remove Apple ID from your Apple iPhone 12 mini or iPad if you have forgotten its password.
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 12 mini 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!

Reset iTunes Backup Password Of Apple iPhone 12 mini: Prevention & Solution

When you back up the data from your Apple iPhone 12 mini, iPad, or iPod touch, you will have a copy of the information stored on those devices. It’s free to use iTunes, iCloud, or both to back up your device.

If you have forgotten the password to your backup, you may reset your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup password by following these instructions. The process to reset the iTunes backup password is simple within only a few minutes.

To get started, please follow the instructions that are listed below.

Part 1: iPhone Backup Encryption Specifications

A safety precaution that may be taken to prevent unwanted access to your Apple iPhone 12 mini backups is using a password for the backups themselves.

If you forget your password, you will be required to reset it before being able to access your backups again.

iCloud and iTunes Backup Password

Resetting your password may be done in different methods, depending on whether or not you have an iCloud account. You may reset your iCloud password by visiting the iCloud website and following the steps. This requires that you already have an iCloud account.

Connecting your device to a computer and using the iTunes program will allow you to reset your password even if you do not have an iCloud account. After successfully changing your password, you can access your backups the same way as before.

To improve the safety of your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup, you should first change the password for your iTunes backup. This will guarantee that no one else can see your backup file and that only you can access it. No one else will have chance to get it.

Basic Ways for Password Security

To reset your password, go to the Preferences menu in iTunes, and click on the Reset Password button. You will be prompted to enter your old password and a new one. Please choose a strong password that cannot be easily guessed.

Another way to enhance the security of your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup is to use iCloud instead of iTunes. iCloud offers an extra layer of security, as your backup file will be encrypted when transmitted to iCloud.

In addition, iCloud requires you to enter your Apple ID and password to access your backup file. This means that only you can access your backup and that it will be more difficult for someone else to gain access to it.

Forgot your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup password? Don’t worry, and we can help!

Our step-by-step guide will show you how to reset iPhone backup password in minutes. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be able to access your backed-up data in no time. We guarantee it!

Follow on to learn how to reset your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup password now!

1. “Reset All Settings” in “Settings.”

Get into Settings on your iOS device, then choose General, and Reset.

Now, go to Reset All Settings and confirm by entering the security passcode. Your phone will reset to the default setting. Get rid of the password for the last backup without deleting any other apps or data.

2. “Back Up Now” in “iCloud.”

If you already have a backup stored in iCloud, you may use iCloud to reset the encryption password iPhone.

Turn on the mobile and look for the “Hello” screen. If you have previously set up your Apple iPhone 12 mini, 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.

3. Find it back in the macOS keychain

Launch Keychain Access by going to Application, then Utilities, and choose Keychain Access once your Mac has booted up.

Check for a backup by entering it into the search box and looking for it there.

Double-click Show Password, and choose it from the drop-down menu. The password for your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup will be shown, and you can reset iTunes backup password now!

Bonus Tips: Best App to Remove iTunes Backup Password

Do you have a loved one’s locked iPhone and don’t know the passcode?

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is the world’s first and only tool to remove any lock screen on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod without knowing the password. It also unlocks iCloud locks, removes MDM profiles, and bypasses MDM locks without data loss.

So, whether your loved one has forgotten their screen lock code, had their phone stolen, or is stuck on the activation lock screen, Dr.Fone Screen Unlock can help.

The process is simple -download the software, connect your Apple iPhone 12 mini to your computer, click a few buttons, and voila! Your device is unlocked with no data loss. And there’s no need to jailbreak your device or enter any passwords - it’s all done with just a few clicks.

With Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock, you can easily follow the steps to remove iTunes backup password.

Step 1: Install Dr.Fone, launch it and select the red button “Screen Unlock.”

Step 2: Go to the Screen Unlock interface, tap on “Remove iTunes BackUp Encryption” on the bottom right to reset the encryption password iPhone.

Step 3: Connect your iOS device to the PC via a USB cable. You will see the image if Dr.Fone can detect this connection.

Click “Remove Now”

Make sure “Find My iPhone” is off.
Do not open “iTunes” in the process.
Your device will reboot in the process of removing

Step 4: Dr.Fone will verify and remove your iTunes backup password when the progress bar reaches 100%

Step 5: iTunes backup encryption is removed successfully! You can now reset iTunes backup password without any trouble.

Part 4: Tips to Keep Your Apple iPhone 12 mini Backup Password

1. Use birthday as password

It is essential to use a password that is both robust and one of a kind if you want to have the safety of the backup password for your Apple iPhone 12 mini.

Using your birthdate as the password is one approach that has shown to be useful. This strategy helps guarantee that your password is not readily guessed or cracked while at the same time ensuring that it is simple for you to remember.

2. Use a third-party app to keep it

There is a wide selection of third-party software on the market that may assist you in maintaining the privacy and integrity of the data stored on your Apple iPhone 12 mini.

These applications cannot only safeguard your data but also add additional levels of protection, making it impossible for anybody else, even if they know the password, to access the data.

KeepSafe and Norton Zone are just examples of the many different programs available. Not only will your Apple iPhone 12 mini backup password be safe and secure with these programs, but other crucial information stored on your phone will also be protected.

3. Write it down on a note

If you need to change your Apple iPhone 12 mini’s backup password but have forgotten it, you’ll know how aggravating it is. Passwords can be difficult to keep straight in your head even after you’ve exhausted the most obvious possibilities.

Fortunately, you can save your password as a note on your Apple iPhone 12 mini and access it whenever necessary. If you store the note somewhere secure (like a password-protected notes app or a master password manager), you shouldn’t have any problems.

Launch Notes and make a new note to do this. After that, you may protect the message with a password and save it.

You may now easily access your backup password by referring to the note. Though it’s not ideal, it’s better than losing track of your password and starting over from scratch.

The Bottom Line

The process to reset iPhone’s backup password is not as complicated as you think and can be completed in a matter of minutes. You may quickly and reset your password and go back to using your phone by following the steps outlined above.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is the easiest method to delete the password from your iTunes backup. This program makes regaining access to your phone and its contents as simple as tapping a screen. If you want to avoid going through this procedure again, be sure to implement the suggestions provided in Section 3.

How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 mini?

Human life completely changed since the advent of technology. Today, life is not the same as it used to be. Communication and traveling became so easy. People can fly and within few hours reach the destination. The time span that was once calculated in days has now shrunk to just a few hours. In the early days, no one would have imagined that they could carry the computer in small bags, but laptops were invented to their surprise.

Today, all those computer and laptop qualities are being shifted into a small phone. Something that can fit in a pocket, and a human can carry it anywhere without feeling its weight. A small device, the mobile phone has great competition in the market. Android phones are coming up with brilliant features to stand equally with iPhones, but iOS has its own customers and a powerful market value. Talking about iPhone, let’s discuss how a user can unlock Apple iPhone 12 mini without a passcode.

Part 1. Unlock Apple iPhone 12 mini without Passcode or Face ID

A problem commonly faced by all iPhone users is that they forget the password, and then they are stuck because they cannot use their phone anymore. This might seem impossible because iPhone users cannot use the phone without a passcode, but let us show you a magical application that makes this impossible.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) , the well-known application among most iPhone users, can resolve the problem quickly. This is a very secure platform for iPhone users because it promises to safeguard user’s personal information. The application is easy to use, that even a new person can use it without facing any trouble. Let us highlight its features;

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS)

Fix iPhone Lock Screen Password Forgot Issue

Unlock Face ID, Touch ID, Apple ID without password.
Bypass the iCloud activation lock without hassle.
Remove iPhone carrier restrictions for unlimited usage.
No tech knowledge required, Simple, click-through, process.

3,981,454 people have downloaded it

This might be possible that not all iPhone users know about Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock, so, for such users, let us take you through the steps that are required to unlock iPhone 12 or 12 Pro Max using Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock without a passcode.

Step 1: Download and Install the Application

First of all, the user is supposed to download Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock and install it on your Windows or Mac system. Once it is installed, the application is all set and ready to use; launch it in the time of need and unlock your Apple iPhone 12 mini without a passcode .

After the application is launched, the Welcome Screen will appear with different options. The user is requested to select the option of ‘Screen Unlock’.

Step 2: Connect Phone with System

In the second step, the user should connect their phone to the system and let Dr.Fone’s application automatically detect it. Whenever you are ready to initiate the process, click on the button ‘Unlock iOS Screen.’

Step 3: Recovery Mode Activation

Once the application has detected your Apple iPhone 12 mini, you now need to activate the Recovery mode. A step by step illustration on how to activate Recovery mode is shared on-screen.

Step 4: Download Firmware Update

A new window will appear now, on which the application will ask for some information regarding your iOS device. Provide the application with asked information and click on the ‘Download’ button to get the firmware update for your Apple iPhone 12 mini.

The user is requested to wait for some time, as the firmware update is being downloaded for your phone. Once that is done, now click on the ‘Unlock Now’ button to complete the process.

Step 5: Confirmation Code

The application will now ask for the confirmation code. Just provide the on-screen confirmation code and let the process complete itself. As soon as that is done, the application will notify you through the interface. The process can also be repeated by clicking on the ‘Try Again’ button.

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Part 2. Unlock Locked iPhone 12 by Restoring it to Default Settings – iTunes

iPhone users make sure that they connect and sync their devices with iTunes because their data is safe. iPhone users live without the fear of losing their data because it is backed up. Taking more advantage of this, iPhone users can restore their phone to default settings and can even unlock their iPhone without using a passcode.

Let us show you how to unlock Apple iPhone 12 mini without using a passcode;

Start the process by turning off your Apple iPhone 12 mini.
After that, plug in your phone to the computer and open iTunes.
Once the phone is connected with iTunes, click on ‘Summary’ that will appear on the screen’s left side.
After the summary screen is opened, you will see the option of ‘Restore iPhone’; click on that option.
This option will bring you to a new window that will be asking for your confirmation on the decision to restore your device.
As soon as that is done and iTunes has finished the process, your Apple iPhone 12 mini 12 will be restored to default settings.

Part 3. Unlock Disabled iPhone 12 by Erasing iPhone in iCloud

IOS world is different from the Android world, and so, both have different and unique problems to deal with. For example, an android user can never imagine unlocking a disabled phone, but iPhone users surely know how to do it. It might be possible that someone doesn’t know how they can erase the Apple iPhone 12 mini from iCloud, so for such users, let’s provide a step-by-step guideline;

Firstly, the user is requested to visit icloud.com on your computer or any other device that is in use. Then log in by using the Apple ID and password.
If two-factor authentication is enabled on your Apple iPhone 12 mini, then hit ‘Trust’ and enter the 6-digit verification code that will be sent to your Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Once you are logged in, choose ‘Find iPhone’ and enter your Apple ID and password again.
4. Then, you are requested to click on ‘All Devices’ that will appear on the top of the browser and select your device’s name from the list provided.
When you have selected your Apple iPhone 12 mini, click on the ‘Erase iPhone’ button visible towards the screen’s right side. This will erase all the data and settings from your device. It will also wipe the password.

Part 4. Pros and Cons of Every Method

Different methods have been discussed that use different platforms regarding how a user can unlock an iPhone if a passcode is missing. The user might be confused about selecting the appropriate method, so let’s help the users by sharing some advantages and disadvantages of all the methods discussed above. This will help the user to select the best possible method;

1. Using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS)

The known and famous application among iPhone users helps them recover data, unlock a phone even if its passcode is missing, and whatnot. Let us now discuss its amazing pros;

Pros

The process is completed within few seconds. Users can easily handle the application because of the guidelines that are shared on the screen.
The application is very convenient to use, and it works on both Windows and Mac.
Dr.Fone can remove the Apple or iCloud passwords even if they do not have any account details.
The application can easily unlock a 4-digit or even 6-digit screen passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.

Cons:

The Apple iPhone 12 mini in use will be updated to the latest iOS version as soon as the unlocking process is completed.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini must be in DFU mode for the process to unlock the screen.

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2. Using iTunes

iPhone users can unlock the phone by using iTunes. Following are its pros and cons;

Pros:

Most iPhones are synced with iTunes, which benefits the user as it restores the latest backup on iPhone after removing the screen lock.
iTunes is easy to understand and simple to use.

Cons:

The biggest drawback people face with iTunes is that the data can be erased if no latest backup is taken.
Another factor that causes the problem is iTunes’ slow functionality, as it consumes a lot of time to complete a process.

3. Using iCloud

Another known platform for iPhone users is iCloud, which allows users to unlock the screen without using the passcode. Let us share its pros and cons;

Pros:

The biggest benefit of using iCloud is that the user doesn’t have to connect the Apple iPhone 12 mini with the system. Just login is required for iCloud.
Another factor is that no technical skills are needed to use iCloud. The user needs access to their iCloud account.

Cons:

User requires a strong and stable internet connection to log in to iCloud and in case internet is not available, they cannot unlock the screen.
Another disadvantage is that if ‘Find my iPhone’ is not enabled on the Apple iPhone 12 mini device, then the user cannot unlock the screen through iCloud.

Conclusion

The article aimed to provide users with maximum information and knowledge about unlock the Apple iPhone 12 mini even if you don’t have the passcode. Several methods have been discussed alongside their pros and cons so that the user can select the best.

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iOS Unlock

Learn How To Lock Stolen Your Apple iPhone 12 mini Properly