Pickpockets steal iPhones for their high resale value and valuable data, using the device's passcode (often shoulder-surfed) to access banking apps, Apple Pay, photos, and iCloud to drain accounts, open credit cards, or sell the phone's parts, with thieves often trying to quickly change the Apple ID password to disable security features like Find My iPhone, notes TechCrunch and BankMyCell.
Once an iPhone is stolen, thieves typically follow one of several paths depending on their technical knowledge and the device's security status, including whether lost mode has been enabled. The most common and straightforward approach is attempting to sell the device quickly before the owner can turn on lost mode.
According to reports and multiple victim accounts, pickpockets are increasingly targeting only Apple iPhones, while ignoring or even discarding Samsung and other Android devices during snatch-theft attempts.
It's locked with your device passcode. Payments cards and passes that you use with Apple Pay are suspended. If you use Stolen Device Protection for iPhone, Face ID or Touch ID is required to turn off Lost Mode — so even if a person has your iPhone and knows your passcode, they'll still be locked out of your device.
It might seem obvious but stay vigilant – make sure your phone is out of sight and secure
Never set down valuable items — such as a camera, phone, wallet, or rail pass — on a train seat or restaurant table, where they are easy to swipe. Keep these tucked away. When using your phone at a crowded café, don't place it on the bar: Put it in your front pocket (then return it to a safer place before you leave).
On an iPhone, dialing *#21# is a USSD code used to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls, SMS, or data are being redirected and to which number, without actually changing settings; it's a simple privacy check to see if someone has secretly set your phone to forward everything, though it doesn't detect advanced spyware. Dialing this code brings up a message from your carrier about your call forwarding status, often showing "Disabled" or a specific number if it's active.
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.
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.
7 signs your iPhone has been hacked & how to verify it
Pickpockets are drawn to people who look lost, confused or distracted. People who seem sure of themselves and aware of their surroundings are less attractive targets. Remember, most pickpockets are cautious thieves who want to avoid confrontation.
*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.
Activation Lock, which prevents you from using the terminal again unless you enter the Apple ID identifier and key, makes life very difficult for thieves. Nevertheless, there was still a possible incentive to steal an iPhone: the ability to sell it for parts on the black market.
iPhones are some of the most secure smartphones on the market, but they are not completely immune to security vulnerabilities. If a phone is stolen, the real danger lies not in the loss of the device itself, but in the access to the victim's personal information, especially through iCloud.
Thieves often pass on their loot to handlers such as high street phone repair shops. Some dump the stolen goods in bins or bushes to be collected by another criminal in their network. The thief can receive £40 to £200 depending on the make and model, and whether or not the phone is unlocked.
Yes, you can unlock an iPhone without its passcode, but it requires erasing the device, deleting all data, and then restoring from a backup, a process called a factory reset, which can be done via Find My, Finder/iTunes on a computer, or directly on the device if it's updated enough (iOS 17+) by entering incorrect passcodes until the "Security Lockout" option appears.
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.
Use the Find My app
Open the app on another device that's signed in to your Apple ID, like a computer or iPad®. Select the Devices tab (you should see a list of devices), then select the name of the lost phone. Your phone's last known location should appear.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss includes coverage if your iPhone is lost or stolen, up to two times every year. And AppleCare One includes coverage if your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, up to three times every year. Each incident is subject to a deductible, and taxes may apply.
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.
Messages automatically uses the following screen effects for specific text strings:
If your iPhone is locked, the only way to unlock it is through your carrier. If your contract is complete and your device is paid off, your carrier can unlock your iPhone for you. Either call them or go online to make a request to unlock your phone.
Call barring allows you to block certain types of incoming or outgoing calls. Dialing *#33# displays your device's current call barring status. If you're receiving excessive spam calls, enabling call barring can help prevent unwanted calls, including those from potential hackers.
##002# cancels all forwarding on many GSM networks worldwide. Dial ##002# and press call. You'll usually hear a confirmation message.