this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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That's actually interesting since an android is probably a lot easier to sell off than an iPhone given activation lock
This isn't the case anymore. Starting sometime back you can't just reset android and set it up from scratch. It needs the pin and/or account that was on it prewipe. They are still likely good for parts but it's pointless to steal newer smart phones.
Both Apple's and Google's activation locks are actively being bypassed though. It's probably not being done by a run-of-the-mill thief, but it can be done, if not for a price.
True. But the average idiot stealing a phone to feed a habit isn't going to be able to bypass it. Of course those being stolen by order of a larger group can do it. But these locks severely reduced the number of opportunity thefts.
Thieves sell to fences who know how to sell stolen items for maximum profit.
Did you not read anything I wrote?
And no, that isn't likely the path for stolen phones,especially when it's a theft of opportunity by someone looking to feed a drug habit. They aren't thinking about going to a fence who can give them what the phone is worth at that level of the chain.
As I said in another comment, the locks both apple and android put in years ago had a major impact on the theft of phones. It's pointless to steal them unless it's part of a larger operation or you're trying to get a phone that's unlocked so you can siphon money from someone instead of just reselling the phone.