The 5 Best Methods to Track a Lost or Stolen iPhone

Summary: Lost your iPhone? Don’t worry, here we tell you how to track lost or stolen iPhone using various techniques. Also, learn how to erase your iPhone data permanently to prevent it from reaching in wrong hands or misuse, using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

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Q. I cannot live without my iPhone. It was stolen yesterday and can’t recall where I lost it. It has been switched off. Can I track the location of my iPhone? Is there any way to track lost iPhones?

A. Don’t panic. Log in to ‘Find My iPhone’ via iCloud.com and set it to ‘Lost Mode’. To know what else you can do now to track the iPhone location, read this post.

Losing an iPhone (and for that matter any smartphone) is tormenting. Besides the upfront costs, there’s an incredible amount of personal data at stake. Today, smartphones not only store personal photos, videos, and music libraries but might also contain an incredible amount of sensitive information in the form of browsing history, social data, app traces, etc. So the apprehension of exploitation and misuse of the data stored in a stolen or lost iPhone is but real.

So, as soon as you discover that your iPhone has been stolen or lost, first, try to track the location of your missing device and lock it.

How to track a lost or stolen iPhone?

Try out the following methods

1. Use Find My iPhone
2. Track through Apple’s Family Sharing
3. Use Google Timeline
4. Try Google Photos
5. Use location-tracking apps

Method 1: Use Find My iPhone

If Find My iPhone is enabled on your stolen iPhone, you can do the following:

• Locate your mobile phone
• Protect your iPhone data by choosing Lost Mode or erasing the data remotely

How to use Find My iPhone when the phone is missing

• Sign in to icloud.com on your computer.
• Click on the Find My iPhone link at the bottom.
• On the Find My iPhone’s map interface, select your lost iPhone via the All Devices drop-down menu. The app starts tracking your iPhone location on the map.

As you see the location of your device you can choose to do the following

• Play sound (if your iPhone is nearby, you can trace it with sound)
• Activate ‘Lost Mode’ (this locks your device and still tracks it)

What does Lost Mode do to your device?

• Remotely locks your device
• Displays a message with your phone number on the missing iPhone’s Lock Screen
• Keeps track of your device location.
• Erase iPhone remotely (with this action you won’t be able to track your iPhone but data is prevented from slipping into the wrong hands)

How to erase iPhone data remotely?

Choosing to erase the iPhone remotely deletes the complete data from it.

Note: Always remember to copy important photos, videos, music, and other data on iCloud backup before remotely erasing the iPhone.

Use a trusted and safe data recovery solution such as Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to restore lost files from iCloud. The software allows the recovery of specific data rather than recovering the entire data.

Method 2: Track iPhone through Family Sharing

If you have set up Family Sharing, use it to track your iPhone. Family Sharing helps the members to know each one’s device location. Ask another member in the Family Sharing group to trace your iPhone via the Find My iPhone app. The member can also sign into iCloud.com to locate the missing iPhone.

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Is your missing iPhone switched off or offline?

If the missing iPhone is switched off or showing offline in Family Sharing, you can still activate Lost Mode or remotely erase its data via Find My iPhone.
Note: The iPhone’s last known location remains only for one day. In case your device is offline for over 24 hours, you cannot trace its last location.

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What to do when ‘Find My iPhone’ is NOT enabled or the missing iPhone is offline for more than one day?

• Change your Apple ID passwords to prevent anyone from accessing your data.
• Change your social media and other Internet account passwords like Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Report the device as missing to the authorities.
• Report your network carrier to disable the services like calls, messages, or data use.

Method 3: Use Google Timeline to find lost iPhone

If you have turned on Location Services and Location History on your iPhone, Google’s Timeline will record all the locations of your device.

When an iPhone goes missing, access the location information on a map and find the last location. Remember, Google Timeline records the location only when the iPhone is switched on with an internet connection.

How to see the last location of a lost iPhone in Google Timeline

• Visit <com/maps/timeline> on your computer.
• Sign in to your Google account.
• Click Today or select Date.
• Scroll down to see the last reported location of your iPhone.

Along with the location, note the time when your phone was last connected to Google. Taking clues from the location and time information, you can find your lost iPhone. If needed, take the help of cops.

Method 4: Take location clue from Google Photos

If anyone has captured a photo from your lost iPhone and you have the Google Photos location-sharing option enabled, then luck is on your side.

Visit <photos.google.com/>. Check, if any new photos were uploaded and view their upload location.

Method 5: Location tracking apps

If you have installed any location-tracking app such as GPS Location Tracker, CocoSpy Cell Phone Tracker, or iTrack on your missing device, use it to track the lost or stolen iPhone. These apps share the real-time location of your device on your computer or other connected devices.

Conclusion

Apple’s Find My iPhone feature is the best way to track the location of a stolen or missing device. If Find My iPhone is not enabled you can try Google Timeline or Google Photos. Other than these methods, third-party apps can also help track a lost iPhone, but only if you have installed them before the phone was lost.

Nevertheless, ensure that you copy the iCloud backup of the stolen iPhone before taking any of the above steps.

A smarter way is to filter out the data that you want to keep, with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Is this post helpful? Share your experience in the comments below, how you managed to track and get back your stolen iPhone.

How To Recover Whatsapp Chat History From iPhone

Summary: Losing the WhatsApp chat history from iPhone can be annoying. It may contain important details, photos, videos, and audio recordings. This post brings easy and quick methods to recover lost or deleted WhatsApp chat on iPhone using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

With social media engulfing our lives, it becomes all the more important to keep track of people close to us through various social media apps, not only personally but professionally as well.

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp gives you total access to chat and share data with your family, friends, and even with your business or work colleagues 24*7. Each day, billions of people all over the globe, chat and share videos, audio, photos, etc. over this one messaging app. Therefore, it contains information that is of great value.
But it is important to know that this app is not fail-safe. Sometimes due to some technical issues, WhatsApp chats and other valuable information gets erased from the phone and chances of recovery are slim. If you are an iPhone user, it is a common scenario that due to tech issues such as jail breaking or when you upgrade your iPhone, your data as well as your WhatsApp chats may get erased from the iPhone.

Losing the chat history which also contains your priceless photos, videos, and audio can be quite frustrating! Hence, recovery becomes imperative! So in order to help you recover the data lost from your iPhone including your WhatsApp chats, we suggest the following steps that can help restore your chat history.

Recover Deleted Messages from WhatsApp Chat iCloud Backup

1- First of all, make sure that you have created a backup of all your WhatsApp chats and data on iCloud. In order to check that, go to the WhatsApp settings and check it on the Chat Backup present in the Chats.
2- Next, uninstall the existing WhatsApp and then reinstall it again from the app store and log in with your number. When you log in, a dialogue box will appear asking you to backup the chats: click on the confirm button to proceed.

Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages Without Backup

1- Download and install iPhone Data Recovery Software  by Stellar on your computer and then register the product using the product key.

2- Now after connecting the iPhone, click on Recover from iPhone option. Select the file type you want to recover and click “Next”. The scan will initiate thereafter.

3- Select Only Show Deleted option on the top to focus only on the deleted data. Then select the conversations you want to save. Then click Save.

4- Choose the desired location on your computer where you want to save the files or you can save it directly to your iPhone. Then click OK.

After a wait of 5-10 minutes, the lost data will be saved within form of a HTML page which can be opened using any browser.

Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iTunes Backup

If you have backed up your WhatsApp chats and files in the iTunes app of the iPhone, then you can easily get back all your chats and files easily from it by following the below steps—

1- Open the iTunes app on your computer and then connect your iPhone into it. Next, click on the iPhone icon and then select restore backup. Then select the backup file that contains the WhatsApp messages and then select the recover option.

If you face any difficulty to recover your data from iTunes backup then use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover lost or deleted Contacts, Call history, Voice Memo, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Safari Bookmarks from iOS device iTunes backup file.

Click here

Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iCloud Backup

Just like iTunes, you can even back up your files and WhatsApp chats on iCloud present in your iPhone. However, before getting started, make sure that the data and chats are securely backed up in the app from which you have to recover.
1- The first step contains erasing of all the content and settings present in the iPhone. This can be done by going to the general setting present in the iPhone.
2- A setup screen will be displayed. Follow the steps to get to the apps and data, then select on restore from iCloud backup from it.
3- Select the files and data that you wish to backup and then click on the restore button and let the system restore all the backed up data into your phone.

If you face any difficulty to recover your data from iCloud backup then use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover lost or deleted Contacts, Call history, Voice Memo, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Safari Bookmarks from iOS device iCloud backup file.

Conclusion

Losing chats and other data from WhatsApp may lead to a situation of despair. Therefore, to ease you off your worries, the above simple steps will help restore all your chats as well as your lost photos, audio, and videos from your iPhone.

How to Recover Deleted Photos, Videos & Music Files from iPhone

Summary: Learn how to recover deleted photos, videos and music files from iPhone using the best recovery software —Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

There are zillions of tutorials one can find on how to take incredible photos with the A10 fusion chipped smartphone; however, few know how to recover deleted photos from iPhone. As a coin has two sides, through this post, we will explore the other untouched, unexplored side.

iPhone has been the epitome of perfection ever since it entered the smartphone realm. With stellar features and functionality, iPhone has become the highest selling property. There are some hidden iPhone camera features that users can utilize and take amazing photos and videos which leave a lasting impression.

Get Started Here!!!

Recovering deleted photos from iPhone is a straightforward process and do not involve much complexity, provided the right steps are implemented in the right manner.

Without much ado, you can recover deleted iPhone photos or videos with these simple steps. Let’s delve into it in detail.

Solution 1:

Apple has made it easy to recover deleted iPhone photos. Here’s what you need to follow:

1. Go to the Albums and access your photos.
2. Scroll down and select ‘Recently Deleted’ folder.
3. In this folder, you will find all the photos that have been deleted.
4. Simply tap the photo you want to recover and press “Recover.”
5. To permanently delete a photo, press “Delete”.

Figure 1 represents how to recover photos from Recently Deleted folder

**Important: In the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder, you’ll find photos, video & music files that have been deleted within the last 30 days only. To recover them before that period, either you have to restore from iTunes or iCloud backups or use iPhone photo recovery software .

Solution 2:

iCloud Photo Library to Your Rescue:

You can recover iPhone photos or videos through iCloud Photo Library. iCloud Photo Library securely stores your photos and videos on iCloud. It automatically saves all your photos and videos in iCloud so that you can access the library from any device.

Follow these steps to turn on the iCloud Photo Library:

1. Go to settings < [your name] < iCloud < Photos, then turn on iCloud Photo Library (iOS 10.3 or later).
2. In iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings < iCloud < Photos.

**Important: Ensure that you’re signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID as on all of your devices. Things can be complicated as iCloud Photo Library is synced with your different Apple devices which means there could be multiple copies and if a photo, video or music file is deleted from a device, it will not be available on the other devices as well. Deletion sync across all the devices.

Solution 3:

iTunes Backup is there to recover all your photos.

1. Click File menu, select Devices < Restore from Backup.

Or

1. Open the iOS device’s Summary tab. There are two ways to access this:
2. Click the device button in the upper right corner.
3. In iTunes tab, click the View menu and select Show Sidebar. Select your iOS device in iTunes under Devices.
4. Click the Restore Backup button.

Solution 4:

Use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone:

iPhone Data Recovery Software  by Stellar is an ideal tool to recover lost data from your Apple devices. Utilizing its advanced algorithm, you can scan and recover data (photos, videos, calendar, notes, messages, call history, etc.) from your device. Furthermore, you can recover data from iCloud and iTunes backup as well.

 

1. Connect your iPhone to your system and launch “Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone” software.
2. Select “Recover from iPhone” and the software will scan your device for the contents.
3. Click on any file to see its preview.
4. Finally, click “Save” to save the recovered file to the preferred location.

The Final Word

Apple reflects perfection in its design and innovation; therefore, it constantly thrives to provide its consumers with the best platform. One such feature is that iOS can back up your photos on cloud services automatically so that you have access to them at any given time.

Moreover, there are iTunes backup, iCloud backup options available along with iPhone Data Recovery Software as well; but, it is advisable to backup your iPhone photos or videos timely and manually to avoid unnecessary issues.

How to Recover Lost Data from iPhone After iOS Update?

Summary: If your iPhone data, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, etc., have disappeared after an iOS update, read this post. It guides you on how to recover data lost after an iPhone update to iOS 16/ 15/ 14/ 13. Also, download the best iPhone data recovery software — Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone — that can recover any data lost due to an iOS update or iOS crash.

‘When I upgraded my iPhone from iOS 15.6 to iOS 16.4, I lost my data (photos, videos, and apps) How can I restore data in my iPhone? Please help.’

As an iPhone user, you eagerly wait for iOS updates that fix various bugs and bring in new features and enhancements. But the charm of making your iPhone smarter and more secure vanishes when suddenly after the update, your contacts, messages, photos or videos, etc., disappear from your iPhone.

There have been several complaints about data loss from iPhone after upgrading to iOS 16, 15, 14, or 13. It is strange as Apple is known to enhance its iPhone data security with every new iOS version.

So why your iPhone data is lost after iOS update?

Technical anomalies after software upgrades are quite common. Even sophisticated Apple devices can lose data after updating to the latest iOS version or show other problems. Although you can restore your data using iTunes or iCloud backup , this may not work every time.

Addressing the problem, we have created a guide for you to recover data lost after an iOS update.

How to recover data lost after iPhone update

You are probably safe if you have created a backup in iTunes or iCloud before updating your iPhone. In this case, you can restore the lost data from the backup files. Otherwise, seek help of an iPhone data recovery software to recover lost data after iOS update.

Below are the methods to recover data lost after iPhone update:

1. Restore lost iPhone data using iTunes
2. Recover lost data after iOS update using iCloud
3. Recover data lost after iPhone update using software

Method 1: Restore lost iPhone data after iOS update using iTunes

Recover lost data from your computer using the iTunes backup you created before the iOS update.

Steps to recover iPhone data from iTunes backup:

• Connect iPhone to your PC/Mac with a USB cable. If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the prompts.
• Launch iTunes.
• Select your iPhone under the device list.
• Click on Summary.

Figure: Restore from Backup in iTunes

• Click Restore Backup.
• In the Restore from Backup dialog box, select the relevant backup date just before the iOS update.
• Click Restore. Wait until the restore process finishes. Keep your iPhone connected after it restarts. All your lost iPhone data will be restored on the iPhone.

In case iTunes could not connect to iPhone and shows value is missing error, learn how to fix and connect to iTunes .

Method 2: Recover lost iPhone data after iOS update using iCloud

All iOS device users have iCloud backup advantage. If, after the iOS 16/15/14/13/12 update, your iPhone contacts, Camera Roll, notes, messages, etc., are missing, recover them using the iCloud backup.

However, this method resets your device, and all existing data gets deleted. This means any photos, videos, messages, contacts, etc., which were added or received after the iOS update are removed.

Steps to restore photos from iCloud on iPhone:

• Click to follow Settings >General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase all Contents and Settings.

• In the dialog box, choose Erase Now.
• In the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.

• Enter Apple ID to sign in to your iCloud account.
• Select the recent backup before the iOS update and click Restore. All your missing data will be back on iPhone.

Figure: iPhone restore from iCloud in progress

In case: iCloud backup is greyed out, know here how to fix it .

Method 3: Recover lost data from iPhone after iOS update using software

An iPhone data recovery software is the easiest and quick solution to restore lost iPhone data after iOS update. It is recommended when you don’t have the iPhone backup, or you’re unable to restore data using iCloud or iTunes.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone can find and restore contacts, videos, photos, audio, chat messages, Calendar, etc., deleted after updating to iOS 16/ 15/ 14/ 13. The software ensures that you recover even the hidden files in your iPhone or iPad after iOS update.

Moreover, you can restore old data without deleting any existing photos or videos that you added or clicked from your iPhone after the update.

The software can extract data from your iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud backup as well. There’s no need to reset or delete any data from your iPhone, when using the software.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone is helpful, in case:

• You don’t have iPhone backup.
• iPhone data recovery using iCloud or iTunes backup failed.
• Some of your Contacts, iMessages, chats, photos, videos, Safari bookmarks, etc., are missing after recovery from backup.
• You want a quick and easy method to recover lost data after iOS update.
• You don’t want to reset your device to recover the missing data after the update.

The software is compatible with series of iPhone 14 / 13 / 12 / 11 / XS / XR / X / 8 / 7 & below and supports the latest iOS 17, 16 15, 14, 13, 12 and below versions.

 

Steps to restore iPhone after iOS update using software

• Connect your iPhone/ iPad to computer.
• Download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your PC or Mac.
• On the main screen of the software, select Recover from iPhone.

• Select the data you want to recover and click Next. The scanning process begins.

• Next, preview and select the required data. Click Save to restore data on iPhone.

You can also choose the module Recover from iCloud backup or Recover from iTunes backup, if required.

Conclusion

Sometimes after an iOS update, you may not be able to restore iPhone using iTunes or iCloud backups. In such a situation, use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. The software ensures you recover all data lost due to an iOS update.

The professional iOS data recovery software thoroughly scans your iPhone restoring missing contacts, iMessages, photos, videos, Voice Memos, Notes, WhatsApp chats, and other data. You can also preview the found data before saving them on your iPhone or iPad.

You can download the free trial of the software and preview the recovered iPhone data.

 

FAQs

1. Why did my contacts disappear on the iPhone?

If your contacts disappeared on your iPhone after installing iOS 16, it can be because you didn’t update the iOS appropriately. To recover lost iPhone contacts after the update, you need to factory reset your iOS device and try installing the iOS update again.

2. Where is the iPhone 16 update file located?

When updating your iPhone through iTunes on your Mac, you can find the update file in iPhone software updates. You’ll need to navigate to ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates.

3. Which iPhones will get iOS 16 update?

iOS 16 updates are compatible with iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone SE (2nd generation).

4. How to recover lost videos after the iOS 16 update?

If installing the iOS 16 update causes data loss, restore the iTunes or iCloud backup. However, if you forget to take a backup, for iPhone video recovery use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

5. Is iPhone deleted text recovery possible after factory reset iOS?

Yes, there is a chance to recover deleted text after factory resetting iOS using the backup stored in iTunes or iCloud.

6. Will iOS 16 update delete my photos?

No, your iPhone data, such as videos, and photos don’t get deleted during iOS 16 update. But if there is any interruption during updates like a power cut then there is a chance to lose data from iPhone. At that time, use backup for iPhone photo recovery and to restore deleted or lost photos.

7. How to recover deleted notes from your iPhone?

iPhone deleted notes retrieval can be done using – The recently Deleted Folder and iCloud backup if you have previously enabled iCloud for Notes.

8. How to recover imessages on iPhone?

For recovering imessages or any other lost or deleted files use iCloud. Just open iCloud.com > Advanced section > Restore files. Next, choose the files you want to restore.