[Sanibel]

I phone found on French Oak near Pinellas in the Village of Sanibel. Describe case.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Sanibel

I phone found on French Oak near Pinellas in the Village of Sanibel. Describe case.

Is the phone locked?

[villagetinker]

An apple store MAY be able to help identifying the owner if they can get the phone number, they could potentially send an email or otherwise contact the owner.

[njbchbum]

What makes you think the person who lost the phone reads this forum?

[EdFNJ]

iPhones now generally lock automatically and generally even the FBI can't break into them. If an owner disables the locking function ... well, can't call names here. Apple can't and won't do anything. The phone becomes useless to anyone BUT the owner and the owner can also "self-destruct" it remotely from another phone. You might try this but it is unlikely it will work or just bring it to the nearest police station.

Read this article for options: Found an iPhone? How to Find the Owner, Even If It’s Locked (iOS 15 Update)

Locked iPhone: How to Find the Owner's Information
If you're now face to face with a Lock Screen after trying the unlocking steps, I'm sorry to say your choices are pretty limited with regard to how to find the owner of the lost iPhone. But you do still have options, so don't worry! You may be able to use Medical ID or ask Siri to help.

[Pinball wizard]

I always keep my name and email on the lock screen so I can be contacted if I lose my phone.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

What makes you think the person who lost the phone reads this forum?

Very Slim Chance.

Turn it into Loss & Found.

[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

iPhones now generally lock automatically and generally even the FBI can't break into them. If an owner disables the locking function ... well, can't call names here. Apple can't and won't do anything. The phone becomes useless to anyone BUT the owner and the owner can also "self-destruct" it remotely from another phone. You might try this but it is unlikely it will work or just bring it to the nearest police station.

Read this article for options: Found an iPhone? How to Find the Owner, Even If It’s Locked (iOS 15 Update)

Locked iPhone: How to Find the Owner's Information
If you're now face to face with a Lock Screen after trying the unlocking steps, I'm sorry to say your choices are pretty limited with regard to how to find the owner of the lost iPhone. But you do still have options, so don't worry! You may be able to use Medical ID or ask Siri to help.

I have never had a iPhone that “locks automatically” . You have to set it up that way during the initial setup ….

YMMV…..

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by Pinball wizard

I always keep my name and email on the lock screen so I can be contacted if I lose my phone.

I have a return address label on the back of mine with a strip of shipping tape over it.
Plus my wife's phone can track it to a specific area.
I lost mine on the way to golf and was not worried about it. Played golf and when I got home some kind person💖 had taken time to take it to my house.

[Gpsma]

I think you can leave the phone on and you can still answer it without puttingin a password. If so, leave it on and the person tgat lost it might call the number.

[lpruettusa]

Two options:

Option 1) take off the case and see if the owner placed at note between the case and the phone
Option 2) Take the phone to an authorized phone store. They can look at the SIM card and determine the phone service provider (e.g., Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.). Then, take it to that service provider. That phone service provider can can get in touch with the owner based on the SIM card ID.

[coralway]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

iPhones now generally lock automatically and generally even the FBI can't break into them. If an owner disables the locking function ... well, can't call names here. Apple can't and won't do anything. The phone becomes useless to anyone BUT the owner and the owner can also "self-destruct" it remotely from another phone. You might try this but it is unlikely it will work or just bring it to the nearest police station.

Read this article for options: Found an iPhone? How to Find the Owner, Even If It’s Locked (iOS 15 Update)

Locked iPhone: How to Find the Owner's Information
If you're now face to face with a Lock Screen after trying the unlocking steps, I'm sorry to say your choices are pretty limited with regard to how to find the owner of the lost iPhone. But you do still have options, so don't worry! You may be able to use Medical ID or ask Siri to help.

no, they don't

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by jarodrig

I have never had a iPhone that “locks automatically” . You have to set it up that way during the initial setup ….

YMMV…..

Only if you set it up to do that. It defaults to locking unless you specify otherwise during initial setup. Just like it defaults to setting up a passcode. That too can be bypassed if you're crazy enough to do that. Not locking it is really not a good idea. At the very least you can constantly click on apps from your pocket or butt-dial at most it's definitely insecure. With face-ID or touch-ID I can't imagine any reason not to auto lock it. UNLESS we are discussing "locking" in 2 different ways or your phone doesn't have touch or face ID. If the latter it may be time for an upgrade!

[fishon]

When it rings, answer and ask who they would like to speak to.
Also, when a text comes in, identify the sender if you can.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by fishon

When it rings, answer and ask who they would like to speak to.
Also, when a text comes in, identify the sender if you can.

Best answer yet if the owner hasn't remotely erased it! Hopefully the OP has an iPhone charger as by now it is dead. Also the owner could go to iCloud or any other iPhone or Mac and use "FIND MY" assuming the owner didn't disable it and it will tell him/her exactly where it is assuming the battery hasn't died. We found our lost Airpod that way.