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.
Comment on Thieves return Android phone when they realize it's not an iPhone
soulfirethewolf@lemdro.id 6 months ago
That’s actually interesting since an android is probably a lot easier to sell off than an iPhone given activation lock
antizero99@lemmynsfw.com 6 months ago
kernelle@0d.gs 6 months ago
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.
antizero99@lemmynsfw.com 6 months ago
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.
Zak@lemmy.world 6 months ago
Thieves sell to fences who know how to sell stolen items for maximum profit.
phoneymouse@lemmy.world 6 months ago
Of it were being bypassed the tool would be available online. What tool is used to bypass Apple activation lock on the latest OS?
kernelle@0d.gs 6 months ago
Their was a blog post here recently where a repair technician with his own shop was trying to contact Apple about reportedly stolen iphones being reactivated and resold and it undermining his business. They then found more and in one case it was a rogue Apple employee doing the activations, and in another it was software tools they found and send to Apple, which got ignored for more than half a year.
I can’t seem to find the original article but here’s Louis Rossman explaining the same thing. The argument boils down to the fact that Apple doesn’t care, more iphones means more people with wallets attached to them.
Also, it wouldn’t necessarily be public knowledge on exactly how it’s done, otherwise 1 Apple would try to fix the issue or 2 there’s money to be made in selling the service.
lemann@lemmy.one 6 months ago
If you plan on running Google services, it won’t let you reset because of FRP…
In the unlikely event that the thief managed to bypass FRP, it will be reinstated by GMS as soon as there’s a network connection, assuming the IMEI or Android device ID haven’t been spoofed (either of these on a Samsung would trip the Knox hardware fuse and disable a lot of features, making the device worthless to anyone who isn’t a power user)
On my older Fairphone though I think there’s some documentation on how to bypass FRP, but you need to get authorization from Google for your specific device on your specific account otherwise GMS will not work