I have just got my iPhone stolen today. I live in fairly safe neighborhood but I got unlucky. Now, I have searched this question on internet for a fair amount of time now. Making a rookie mistake, I have not put a passcode on the device.
My question is, if the device is reset from the Settings, do I get notified that a device has been removed?
The device is running iOS 7.0.4. Lost mode was activated and the device is now offline.
Best Answer
The device can't be removed from Find my iPhone by resetting it. Furthermore, you can and probably should set the device to lost mode if you want to put a PIN on it and lock the device with a helpful message to contact you for the eventual return of the device. If you really just want the device wiped, then you can erase it, knowing that still it will show your lost message:
When you press the Reset button in Settings, it asks for your Apple ID, and will only reset the device when it's been entered.
Attempting to turn off Find my iPhone through iCloud settings will prompt for your Apple ID.
If the device is factory reset when powered off through iTunes, it will still require activation using your Apple ID.
Putting the device in lost mode is probably better since eventually the thief will decide to return it once they realize whomever they sell or give it to will keep getting reminded that the device was lost and should be returned to you.