The Curious Case of My Lost iPhone: A Journey Around the Globe

Two years ago, I lost my iPhone, and I never thought I’d hear from it again. Recently, I received an unexpected notification from the Find My app indicating that my lost device was located thousands of miles away in Africa. This news led me to take immediate action by remotely erasing the device through the app. But I can’t help but wonder: was it truly wiped clean?

A Journey to Understand My Loss

Since sharing my experience on social media, my post has garnered quite a bit of attention. It seems many of you are curious about the backstory, so let me provide some context.

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, I made the difficult decision to return to my home country with my parents. My university advised students to leave, prompting me to pack up the essentials from my apartment into my minivan. Despite my best efforts, I unintentionally left behind a couple of devices that held significant sentimental value: an iPhone 4 encased in leather and an iPhone 6s.

Fast forward to September 2021, when I returned to the university after nearly 18 months. I immediately made a beeline for my minivan to retrieve the beloved old iPhones, only to discover that they were missing. Panic set in as I realized I had forgotten them in my apartment, which had since seen three different tenants move in and out.

A Surprising Notification

In January 2022, I received an intriguing notification—my iPhone 4 had been located. The relief was palpable, but it was soon replaced with disbelief when I discovered the device was situated in a rural area of Africa, more than 7,000 kilometers from home. Without a moment’s hesitation, I initiated a remote wipe to protect my personal data.

As for my iPhone 6s, it remains lost, and I have no leads on its whereabouts.

Conclusion

This unexpected twist in my life has made me reflect on the attachments we have to our devices and the stories they carry. While the fate of my iPhone 6s is still a mystery, I am grateful for the lessons learned and the connections made through sharing my experience. To those who have expressed interest in my story, thank you for your support—I’ll keep you updated on any further developments!