Yes, anyone can erase the data on a stolen iPhone by restoring it through recovery mode using a computer. However, as long as the original owner enabled the "Find My" feature and does not remove the device from their account, the iPhone remains unusable for the thief due to a security feature called Activation Lock.
Go to the Find My app on your iPhone. Tap Devices at the bottom of the screen, then tap the name of the device you want to erase. Tap Erase This Device, then tap Continue. If the device is a Mac, enter a passcode to lock it (you need to use the passcode to unlock it).
If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com.
Stolen iPhones become nearly impossible to jailbreak because Activation Lock prevents unauthorized access. The Activation Lock feature automatically engages when Find My iPhone is turned on and prevents unauthorized use of the iPhone until the legitimate Apple ID and password are entered.
Factory Reset iPhone Without Passcode via Recovery Mode
iTunes recovery will launch automatically. Once complete follow the instructions on the screen to set up your device, and restore it from your latest backup.
If you can't recover your device
If you can't recover your stolen device, remotely erase it and remove it from your trusted devices.
Can I Factory Reset a Locked iPhone I Found? Yes, it is possible. But keep in mind that if it has an Activation Lock, you won't be able to use it unless you have the Apple ID and password of the iPhone owner. If possible, you must return the phone to the rightful owner.
If they gain access to a lost phone, criminals can carry out numerous attacks and crimes, such as: Stealing money from bank accounts linked to the phone. Make unauthorized purchases using credit cards stored in the phone's wallet. Access any stored login credentials for accounts.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
How to remotely erase your iPhone
If thieves want to run a factory reset or turn off any theft protection features on your device, they won't be able to do that without your biometrics. You can also extend this protection to all Google Accounts signed in on the same device.
Activation Lock remains on to protect it. Your Apple Account and password are required to reactivate the device. If you erase a device, you can use Find Devices to locate or play a sound on the device. Otherwise, you won't be able to locate or play a sound on it.
That said, there are downsides to purchasing a locked phone as well. For example, you cannot switch carriers whenever you like. If you want to switch carriers, you'll need to purchase an entirely new phone (particularly if your current phone has a very limited antenna, as described above).
If you lose an Android device or Wear OS watch, you can find, secure, or erase it remotely. You can also help a friend find, secure, or erase their lost device with the Find Hub app. If you've added a Google Account to your device, Find Hub is automatically turned on.
Your content won't delete from iCloud when you erase your device.
The Activation Lock, turned on when you activate Find My, registers a device ID on Apple's activation servers. Even if the criminals reset your device, the activation lock will still be there. Only someone with the user's Apple ID credentials can unlock it.
*3001#12345#* on an iPhone activates the hidden Field Test Mode, a diagnostic tool for network engineers and power users to see detailed cellular data like signal strength (dBm), cell tower info, and network quality, accessible by dialing the code in the Phone app and pressing call, often after turning off Wi-Fi for accurate cellular readings.
You can double-tap or triple-tap the back of iPhone to perform actions such as taking a screenshot, turning on an accessibility feature, running a shortcut, and more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, then choose an action.
If you know your Apple ID and password, you can sign into iCloud® on another device to unlock your iPhone without your passcode. Go to iCloud.com on another device and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Select Find My, and sign in if you're prompted.
This means that if someone steals an iPhone and attempts to reset it or activate it with a new Apple ID, they will be prompted to enter the original owner's credentials. Without these credentials, the device remains locked and essentially unusable, acting as a strong deterrent against theft.
Many of these devices would have ended up in China. A criminal network suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China over the past 12 months has been disrupted by London's Metropolitan Police.
A criminal with access to your phone, whether they stole it directly or found it after you lost it, might be able to access your sensitive data or accounts.
You can remotely erase your device using the Find My app on another device or at iCloud.com/find. If your device has iOS 15 or later, or iPadOS 15 or later, you can still use Find My or iCloud.com/find to locate it after you erase it.
You can definitely sell an activation-locked iPhone, but the price you get can vary based on a few key factors. If you manage to remove the activation lock before putting it up for sale, you'll likely pocket more cash than if the lock remains in place.
Can a Thief Reset and Reuse a Stolen iPhone. Factory resetting a locked iPhone is possible, but that doesn't mean they can use it. If you take the right steps fast, they get a wiped device that's still permanently tied to your Apple ID. In other words, it becomes a useless brick with nice edges.