Title: Lost and Found: The Surprising Journey of My Old iPhone
Two years ago, I experienced what many would consider a nightmare—losing my beloved iPhone. Fast forward to recently, when I received an unexpected notification from the Find My app: it turns out my long-lost device was making its way through rural Africa.
Upon receiving that alert, I wasted no time and remotely erased the device through the app. However, this situation left me with an unsettling question: Is my phone truly wiped clean, or could it still be accessible in some way?
The Backstory Behind the Lost Device
It seems this story has resonated with many, as I received an overwhelming response on social media, prompting me to share the background that led to my phone’s unexpected journey.
Back on March 20, 2020, I made a hasty return to my home country alongside my parents due to the unfolding pandemic and a directive from my university. In the frenzy of packing, I crammed nearly all my belongings into my minivan, unknowingly leaving behind two iPhones that held immense sentimental value—my vintage iPhone 4, carefully nestled in a leather case, and a more recent iPhone 6s.
When I returned to the university in September 2021, I went straight to my minivan, eager to retrieve those cherished devices. To my dismay, I discovered they were nowhere to be found. A swift realization struck: I had left them in my apartment when I moved out two years earlier. By that point, three different tenants had occupied the space since my departure, and my phones had become lost to time.
An Unexpected Alert
Then came January 2022, and I received a notification that my iPhone 4 had been detected! This was exciting news, but the twist was that it was located over 7,000 kilometers away in a remote area of Africa. Without hesitation, I initiated a remote wipe to protect my data. However, my iPhone 6s remains missing, with no trace of its whereabouts.
This whole experience has been a whirlwind of emotions, combining relief, nostalgia, and lingering questions about data security. While it’s reassuring to have taken measures to safeguard my information, I can’t help but wonder about the fate of my old devices, particularly my beloved iPhone 6s.
If you’ve ever lost a cherished item, you know the mix of hope and helplessness that comes with it
Share this content:
