If your iPhone goes missing, a few calm steps can help you avoid handing thieves the one thing they need most: your passcode.
Never enter your iPhone passcode through a text link
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Your iPhone passcode should stay on your iPhone. Do not type it into a website that arrives by text, email or WhatsApp, even if the page looks like Apple.
Go directly to Find My
If your iPhone is missing, use the Find My app on another Apple device or go directly to iCloud through your browser. Do not use a link from a message.
Treat urgent recovery messages as suspicious
Scammers love pressure. A message may say your phone has been found, moved or scheduled for removal. Pause before you click. Open Apple’s tools yourself instead.
Use a strong iPhone passcode
Avoid simple codes such as birthdays, repeating numbers or easy patterns. A longer alphanumeric passcode gives thieves a much harder target.
Keep Activation Lock turned on
Make sure Find My is enabled before anything happens. On iPhone, go to Settings > your name > Find My > Find My iPhone and confirm that Find My iPhone is turned on.
Do not remove the stolen iPhone from your Apple Account too quickly.
If your iPhone is stolen, keep it listed in Find My and your Apple Account. Removing it can also remove Activation Lock, which helps stop someone else from erasing, activating and reselling your phone. If you use Find My, select the stolen iPhone and choose Mark As Lost or Erase This Device if needed. Avoid Remove This Device unless Apple Support, your carrier or law enforcement tells you to do it.