How to Fix an iPhone Stuck on “This iPhone Was Lost and Erased”

If your iPhone is displaying the message “This iPhone was lost and erased,” it means the device has been remotely erased and is now stuck on the iCloud Activation Lock screen. This can be a frustrating situation, but there are ways to fix it and regain access to your iPhone.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what this message means, common reasons you might see it, and provide step-by-step solutions to get your iPhone working again.

Why Your iPhone Says “This iPhone Was Lost and Erased”

There are two main scenarios that can cause your iPhone to display the “lost and erased” message:

1. New iPhones: If you bought a brand new iPhone that is showing this message, it’s likely that the iCloud account originally linked to the device was hacked and erased.
2. Second-hand iPhones: If you purchased a used iPhone, the previous owner may have intentionally erased and locked the device after it was stolen or sold. They can do this remotely using the “Find My” feature.

Regardless of how your iPhone ended up in this state, it’s important to know that you won’t be able to set up or use the device until the iCloud Activation Lock is removed. Let’s look at some solutions for both new and second-hand iPhones.

How to Fix a New iPhone Stuck on “This iPhone Was Lost and Erased”

If your new iPhone is showing the “lost and erased” message due to a hacked iCloud account, you’ll need to recover the iCloud email and password and then turn off the Activation Lock. Here’s how:

Step 1: Recover Your Hacked iCloud Email and Password

1. Go to appleid.apple.com
2. Click “Forgot Apple ID or password” and enter your Apple ID email
3. Choose to reset your password via email or by answering security questions
4. If you choose email reset, look for instructions from Apple in your inbox
5. If you choose to answer security questions, provide the requested information
6. Follow the prompts to create a new, secure password for your iCloud account

Step 2: Turn Off Activation Lock Using iCloud.com

1. Go to iCloud.com/find and sign in with your recovered iCloud credentials
2. Click on “All Devices” and select your locked iPhone
3. Click “Erase iPhone” and then “Remove from Account” to disable Activation Lock

Tips to Secure Your iCloud Account

To prevent your iCloud account from being hacked again in the future, follow these security tips:

• Use a unique, complex password for your iCloud account
• Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection
• Regularly change your iCloud password, especially if you suspect a breach
• Never store your iCloud password in emails or unsecured notes

How to Fix a Second-Hand iPhone Stuck on “This iPhone Was Lost and Erased”

If you bought a used iPhone that’s stuck on the “lost and erased” screen, your best bet is to contact the previous owner for help. Ask them to follow the steps above to remove the device from their iCloud account.

If you’re unable to get in touch with the previous owner, try these alternative methods:

1. Use Siri to call the owner’s emergency contact. Press and hold the Home button to activate Siri and say “Call Mom” or “Call Dad”. If you’re able to reach someone, explain the situation and ask for help contacting the original owner.
2. Use Medical ID to reach the owner’s emergency contact. From the Activation Lock screen, tap “Emergency” and then “Medical ID”. Look for any emergency contact information that may help you get in touch with the owner.

If the previous owner is uncooperative or you can’t reach them, you may see other indications that the iPhone is still linked to their Apple ID, such as an “iPhone is linked to an Apple ID” message or the device getting stuck on a spinning wheel.

In these cases, third-party software like Tenorshare 4MeKey may be able to help (more on that below).

Using Software Tools to Fix iPhones Stuck on “This iPhone Was Lost and Erased”

If you’ve exhausted other options, you may want to try using third-party software to bypass the iCloud Activation Lock and regain access to your iPhone. Two popular tools for this are Tenorshare 4MeKey and iMyFone iBypasser.

Tenorshare 4MeKey

Tenorshare 4MeKey can remove the iCloud Activation Lock by jailbreaking your iPhone. However, jailbreaking poses security risks and is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Here’s how it works:

1. Download and launch 4MeKey on a computer and click “Start”
2. Connect your locked iPhone and click “Next” to jailbreak the device
3. Once jailbroken, the software will bypass the Activation Lock and your iPhone will be accessible again

iMyFone iBypasser

iMyFone iBypasser is another iCloud bypass tool that can remove the Activation Lock screen without jailbreaking. This makes it a safer option compared to 4MeKey. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download, install, and launch iMyFone iBypasser on your computer
2. Connect your iPhone and click “Start”
3. iBypasser will start bypassing the iCloud lock screen
4. Once done, you can access your iPhone and set it up as new

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a lost or erased iPhone be tracked?

A: Yes, if Find My iPhone was enabled before the device was erased, the owner can track its location using the Find My app or iCloud.com.

Q: Is it possible to recover data from an erased iPhone?

A: If you have a backup of your iPhone in iCloud or iTunes, you can restore that data to the device after unlocking it. However, any data added after the last backup will be lost.

Q: My iPhone screen is unresponsive after being erased. What should I do?

A: An unresponsive iPhone screen after an erase is usually due to the device being in Lost Mode, which locks the screen. Follow the steps above to remove the device from the previous owner’s iCloud account to fix this issue.

Q: What does it mean if my iPhone says “No SIM card” after being erased?

A: If you see a “No SIM card” message on your erased iPhone, it may be because the device is carrier-locked. Contact your wireless carrier to unlock the iPhone so you can use it with your SIM card.

Q: Is there any way to get back data from an iPhone that was remotely erased?

A: Unfortunately, once an iPhone is erased with the “Find My” feature, all data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Always back up your device regularly to avoid losing important information.

Key Takeaways

• iPhones can get stuck on the “This iPhone was lost and erased” screen due to hacked iCloud accounts or remote erasing by previous owners
• For new iPhones, recover your iCloud account and turn off Activation Lock via iCloud.com
• For second-hand iPhones, contact the previous owner or use Siri/Medical ID to reach their emergency contacts
• Software tools like Tenorshare 4MeKey and iMyFone iBypasser can remove iCloud Activation Locks, but jailbreaking poses security risks
• Regularly back up your iPhone and secure your iCloud account with a strong password and two-factor authentication

By following the steps and advice in this guide, you should be able to successfully remove the “This iPhone was lost and erased” message and start using your device again. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask for further assistance.