is it possible to track down a stolen iphone 4 without the tracking software

eoinf

IE can you tell if it is used with another sim?

probably a very very long shot.

Failing that if i bar the phone can it be unlocked?

RedXIV

As far as I know, unless you set up tracking software previously, there is no way to actually "track" the phone.

As regards blocking it, if you ring up your provider, they should be able to do that if you have all your account details to hand. the main thing needed to block a phone is the IMEI number which should be on their systems linked to your account

cin0

RedXIV wrote: »

As far as I know, unless you set up tracking software previously, there is no way to actually "track" the phone.

As regards blocking it, if you ring up your provider, they should be able to do that if you have all your account details to hand. the main thing needed to block a phone is the IMEI number which should be on their systems linked to your account

And what happens to a phone after blocking it? Can it be used again? JB?

RedXIV

cin0 wrote: »

And what happens to a phone after blocking it? Can it be used again? JB?

Not sure with smartphones. I know older phones would end up bricked, I reckon it'd be safe to assume the same with smartphones

fox007

cin0 wrote: »

And what happens to a phone after blocking it? Can it be used again? JB?

No the only way the phone can be used is by taking it out of the country!!
Once you get the imei blocked

Lads for the love of god set up the iPhone tracker with mobileme IT'S FREE!!

iggy

fox007 wrote: »

No the only way the phone can be used is by taking it out of the country!!
Once you get the imei blocke

Lads for the love of god set up the iPhone tracker with mobileme IT'S FREE!!

I signed up to this. Do I just leave 'mobilme' turned on all on time on the phone in mail settings?

fox007

Yes and go here https://www.me.com/iphone_welcome/en/

To find your iPhone iPad etc

Stainless_Steel

Its very easy for a thief to turn it off no?

iggy

fox007 wrote: »

Yes and go here https://www.me.com/iphone_welcome/en/

To find your iPhone iPad etc

I just tried this . I installed the app on my iPod and signed in. It found the location of my iPhone then I selected option to send a message to it. I sent it but no message appeared on my phone . Any ideas?

madmoe

Just to chime in here lads, I lost m HTC Sensation in a taxi on Saturday evening :-( Anyhow I had tracking software on it and while it did track it for a while it then stopped working, around the same time I could not ring it anymore as well! With the same software I was able to lock the phone and display a message to return it along with my partner’s number.....suffice to say no one has called yet so I now feel it's a case of whoever found it wants to steal it!

Rang Vodafone this morning and barred the handset using the IMEI. It will be useless to anyone trying to use it here in Ireland on any network so at least that is something. They told me also should I get it back that the can lift the IMEI block and that was news to me!

Cheers,
M

madmoe

Mr.S wrote: »

slightly OT - But whats the deal with the Guards and using the tracking software to get the phone?

Like, grand you can track your iPhone via the web if you have findmyiPhone installed, but would you really go knocking on some guys house and say "You have my iPhone, gimme back"?

And if you went to your local Garda station with your laptop, showed them exactly where the phone was, would they actually go around to the house?

Not sure what Apple's find my iPhone does exactly but Wavesecure is able to show you the phone number of a new SIM when it's inserted into the stolen phone. I would then pass this onto the guards and ask them to take it from there....

Cheers,
M

54kroc

fox007 wrote: »

No the only way the phone can be used is by taking it out of the country!!
Once you get the imei blocked

Lads for the love of god set up the iPhone tracker with mobileme IT'S FREE!!

If you haven't claimed off the insurance you can have it taken off that list, I've done this with O2 before.

richierichballs

Simply put, Yes.

My iPhone was stolen by a taxi driver a few months back,
I rang it and rang it til he eventually turned it off after I texted offering 100 euro to be brought back.

I rang Vodafone at 5am in the morning and they completely locked.
(Wasn't as good as getting it back but I got some comfort.)

When I rang the guards they explained to me that Yes, they can track phones, especially iPhones (due to the GPS on the devices),
But they don't bother in theft cases, only serious cases like Rape, Murder or missing persons...

madmoe

Been lost\stolen now since Saturday and not holding out much hope of getting it back!

Tazium

All SIMs when active can be tracked to their nearest cell tower. To get that information though is another matter. And what you'd get is a rough tracking based on cell tower position. This would be more accurate in the city and less so in rural areas based on cell tower distribution. The current position of the SIM and thereby the phone can be triangulated to give an approximate location.

It's a shame it wasn't returned but now that it's barred it'll likely be sold on ebay or some such to the UK or beyond.

kirving

Using just cell tracking, I am given a location about 15 meters from my hose which is great. Within about 5 meters with GPS enabled.

If someone ever steals my N8, they'll be receiving a knock on the door very soon afterwards.

madmoe

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Using just cell tracking, I am given a location about 15 meters from my hose which is great. Within about 5 meters with GPS enabled.

If someone ever steals my N8, they'll be receiving a knock on the door very soon afterwards.

Have Nokia a software solution to track their phones?

Cheers,
M