Apple ID Hijacked After iPhone Theft — No Recovery Path Once Trusted Number Is Changed

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Level 1

4 points

Apple ID Hijacked After iPhone Theft — No Recovery Path Once Trusted Number Is Changed

My iPhone was stolen while I was traveling internationally, and the thieves gained full access to the device. Within minutes, they took over my Apple ID, changed the trusted phone number and email, removed my device from Find My, and purchased iCloud+ to lock the account under their control. They used my identity to commit fraud, and police and FBI (IC3) reports have been filed.

I have worked through multiple senior Apple Support specialists, countless FAQs, and every available recovery option. Every path ends the same way: Apple will only verify account ownership by sending a push notification to the trusted phone number that the thieves changed the account to.

What is especially concerning is that during a recent call regarding a recurring Apple charge, Apple Support was able to locate and view the hijacked account, including the new email address and trusted phone number. However, I am not permitted to verify my identity using government ID, proof of original device ownership, or prior account history — only the phone number controlled by the thief.

This Apple ID represents my entire digital life: years of photos and videos, personal messages, contacts, memories, and records that cannot be replaced.

I am desperate in finding any way Apple can restore access to an account after it is completely compromised.

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 1:46 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

427,031 points

Dec 13, 2025 2:08 PM in response to Joleannn

While we can commiserate with you about this stressful situation and catastrophic loss of your files, remember that this is a user-to-user support site. We are just plain customers like you and there isn't anything we can do other than provide advice. Unfortunately some of that is too late to give at this stage, such as making sure you have multiple backups, particularly since iCloud is not designed to be a backup service, more a syncing service.

In this age of very clever scam artists Apple appears to have very strict policies about proof of account and equipment ownership. It appears that the thieves have managed to essentially lock you out of the account and equipment (I don't know how subscribing to iCloud+ would help them with this). The best you can do at this stage is try to prevent them from doing additional damage.

Good luck!

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