Have you just found an iPhone? You may be tempted to keep it, but we strongly advise against it! Here are a few tips on how to find the owner or what to do if you can't.

1. Check whether the screen is locked

The first thing to do is check whether the screen can be unlocked without a passcode.

The vast majority of iPhone owners secure access to their device with Face ID and a security code. If, by chance, the iPhone you found is not secured by a passcode, you can easily find its owner.

Go to the owner's contact details:

You can find the owner's identity by going to Phone > Contacts, where you will find their card at the top. This will give you their first and last name.
The owner may have entered useful information in this file, such as their email address. You can then send them an email to let them know that you have found their device.
In the same file, you can access their medical file. By clicking on it, you will find the contact details of their emergency contacts. All you have to do is call one of these people! Provided, of course, that the owner has taken care to enter this information.

If none of this information is available in the owner's contact details, here's what else you can do:

Search for favourite contacts. To do this, go to Phone > Favourites. Call the owner or one of the contacts in the list.
If there are no numbers listed as favourites, look at the most recent contacts in your call history. To do this, go to Phone > Recent. It is best to contact numbers that suggest a close relative (home, dad, mum, etc.).
If you still can't find a number or if these numbers don't suggest a relative, go directly to contacts. To do this, go to Phone > Contacts. Once again, search for contacts that suggest a relative (home, dad, mum, etc.).
If no numbers are saved, go to your messaging apps (Messages, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.) and search for a contact who you think is a relative of the owner and contact them.

If, on the other hand, the screen is locked, you will have to try another approach.

2. The screen is locked

Even if the screen is locked, you can still access certain features that may be helpful.

Use Siri

This method requires the user to have previously enabled voice control on their iPhone. And even if this is the case, it may not work, as the latest updates only allow Siri to be activated by the voice of the device owner.

You still have a chance, so give it a try! Here's how to do it.

Say "Hey Siri".
If voice control is activated, you can then ask:
- "What is my name?": this will give you the owner's identity.
- "Call home" or "Call Mum/Dad"
- If no contact has this name, you can ask "call last number called". You will have a chance to contact someone who can help you.

Access the medical record

You can access the medical record even if the screen is locked with a passcode.

To do this, press the lock button on the right and the volume + button on the left simultaneously. Then press medical record.

This will give you the owner's first and last name. If the owner has filled in this information, you will probably have the emergency contact details. You can then contact them to let them know that you have their iPhone.

3. You were unable to access the information on the phone

If none of the above steps have been successful, here is what you can do.

Contact Apple. Go to the Apple website and contact support via chat or telephone. Explain the situation to them.
Hand the phone over to the police/gendarmerie in the town where you found the iPhone. If you have managed to access the owner's identity, this will be invaluable in helping the police find the owner.

4. Why you should not keep your iPhone

If you find an iPhone, don't keep it for yourself!

In France, this could be considered theft (Article 311-1 of the Penal Code). Even if you found the device, you would still have to prove that you did not take it fraudulently. That is why we recommend that you hand it over to the police as a last resort.
Apple Apple offers a device location service. If the owner has activated this feature, they can quickly find you and press charges!
Even if you keep the iPhone despite these warnings, be aware that it will be impossible to use it. If the device is locked, you will not be able to use it or even reset it, as the owner's Apple ID is required.
Do not even think about reselling the device. If the owner has reported the theft to the police or even to Apple:
- You could be prosecuted for theft and handling stolen goods (Article 321-1 of the Penal Code),
- and as the device has a serial number, it will be blocked by Apple.

A few recommendations if you ever lose your iPhone

If you have read this article carefully, you will already have understood what you can do to easily find your phone if you lose it.

Secure your device with Face ID and a passcode to prevent theft of your personal data.
Activate the device's location service, "Find My iPhone". To do this, go to Settings > tap on your name > activate "Find My iPhone". If you lose your iPhone, you can locate it by logging in on another device Apple or via the website Apple, using your ID. You will find more details in this article.
Update your medical information. To do this, go to Settings > General > Edit contacts in Health. The person who finds your phone will be able to access this information and contact your loved ones.
Add your loved ones to your favourite contacts and consider naming your contacts in a way that reminds you of your loved ones.
Configure Siri. Even though Siri currently only responds to your own voice, there may be a chance that you can use it.
Contact Apple to let them know that you have lost your iPhone. Even if it is not found, they will be able to delete all the data and content from your iPhone to prevent sensitive data from being stolen.
Contact the police station in the city where you think you lost your iPhone.