You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Mexgirl2
Mexgirl2 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

iPhone stolen in a country other than my own

Had my iPhone stolen in Mexico. Have tried to track it using “Find My Phone” but getting nowhere, so have activated “Erase”. However it is still pending as the thief has not tried to connect to internet. I did not have a Mexican SIM card in it and was only using it for photos and when connected to wifi. I read that the phone must remain active with provider of the phone service for the “Erase” to complete once it is connected. When I return to Canada I will have to buy a new sim, call my provider…but will the “Erase” still take place? I am so confused….any suggestions?

iPhone 7, iOS 15

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 8:54 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
91,341 points

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 9:53 AM

Don't worry it will erase if they try to activate it but to do that they really need your apple ID and they will try and trick you at some future date.

The 'Find My' tracking is to help you discover if you left your phone in the office or the restaurant. Lost or Stolen phones are rarely ever seen again.

Risk mitigation

Get your provider to 

Cancel your SIM.

Send you a replacement SIM on same number.

You can then put the SIM in another iPhone to get the codes you will need.

Phishing warning

Its possible for a thief to obtain your phone number particularly if you did not have a PIN set on the SIM.  So do not respond to texts to sign into your account! They are NOT from Apple!

 Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

 

Resign to the fact that if you had a passcode set and you do not provide your Apple ID via phishing texts then your data is safe but you will never see the phone again.

  If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
91,341 points

Feb 7, 2022 9:53 AM in response to Mexgirl2

Don't worry it will erase if they try to activate it but to do that they really need your apple ID and they will try and trick you at some future date.

The 'Find My' tracking is to help you discover if you left your phone in the office or the restaurant. Lost or Stolen phones are rarely ever seen again.

Risk mitigation

Get your provider to 

Cancel your SIM.

Send you a replacement SIM on same number.

You can then put the SIM in another iPhone to get the codes you will need.

Phishing warning

Its possible for a thief to obtain your phone number particularly if you did not have a PIN set on the SIM.  So do not respond to texts to sign into your account! They are NOT from Apple!

 Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

 

Resign to the fact that if you had a passcode set and you do not provide your Apple ID via phishing texts then your data is safe but you will never see the phone again.

  If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

Reply

iPhone stolen in a country other than my own

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up