fb
Security

Stolen Apple Devices: How We Check Every Unit

Buying a used iPhone, iPad or MacBook? Check the device in the MacLife database — free of charge. Had your equipment stolen? Report it and improve your chances of getting it back.

The stolen Apple device database

Since 2007, MacLife has operated an independent database of Apple equipment reported stolen or lost in Poland. All reports are now handled through the dedicated portal ukradziony.pl. Every device that comes into our service centre — for repair, trade-in or sale — is automatically checked against this database.

The MacLife database in numbers
  • 18+ years of database operation
  • 5000+ reports filed
  • 300+ devices recovered

The database serves two purposes: reporting a theft or loss (which improves the chances of recovery) and verification before purchase of used equipment (which protects you from buying stolen goods).

How the database works — 4 steps

Step 1 — Report

The owner reports the theft or loss via the form on the ukradziony.pl portal: model, serial number, IMEI, description (colour, capacity), circumstances and contact details.

Step 2 — Verification

We check the accuracy of the data and the serial number, eliminate duplicates, and then add the report with a unique reference number (confirmation within 24 h).

Step 3 — Monitoring

Every Apple device that reaches MacLife is automatically checked against the database. When a serial number matches a report, we hold the device and contact the person who filed it.

Step 4 — Recovery

We inform the owner and the Police, and secure the device until the case is clarified. If the theft is confirmed, we hand it over to law enforcement.

What we check before purchase

Planning to buy used equipment? Verification takes a moment and protects you from a costly mistake. We check:

  • Status in the MacLife database — whether it has been reported stolen or lost
  • Find My lock (Activation Lock) — a locked device is unusable
  • Carrier blacklists — whether the iPhone is blocked on a network
  • Authenticity — whether it is genuine Apple equipment, not a counterfeit
  • Technical condition and repair history

Checking the database status by serial number or IMEI is free. A full technical verification with the seller at our service centre costs 50 zł. Having trouble with a lock? See: iCloud lock removal.

How to report a device

  • Go to the ukradziony.pl portal
  • Fill in the form with the device details (model, serial number, IMEI)
  • Add photos if you have them
  • Within 24 h you will receive a confirmation with a reference number

From that moment on, every device with this serial number is flagged in our system. Reporting a device and checking the database are completely free.

Cooperation with the Police

MacLife works with law enforcement agencies across Poland. When a device from the database reaches our service centre, we immediately inform the Police and the owner, secure the equipment as evidence, and pass on the details of the person who brought it in.

Example: Mr Marek reported his MacBook Pro 16" stolen. Three months later the laptop came to us "for a display repair", and the system detected the serial number from the database. We contacted the owner and the Police — the equipment went back to its rightful owner. This is one of hundreds of such cases.

Frequently asked questions

Enter the serial number or IMEI on the ukradziony.pl portal — the check is free and takes a moment. It is also worth verifying the Find My lock status and the carrier blacklists. The fullest protection is a technical verification with the seller at our service centre (50 zł).

Nothing. Both reporting a device and checking its status in the database are completely free. You will receive a report confirmation with a reference number within 24 hours.

Report the device to the Police and on the ukradziony.pl portal (with the serial number/IMEI), do not turn off Find My, and keep the report active. If the equipment reaches our service centre, we will automatically detect it and notify you and the Police.

A device with an active Find My lock is useless to a new user. If you are the rightful owner and have the documents, we will help you remove the lock legally — details in the guide "iCloud lock removal".

Check or report a device

Verification before purchase takes a moment and is free. So is reporting a theft.

Czytasz MacLife w Google? Ustaw nas jako preferowane źródło, aby nasze treści częściej pojawiały się w Twoich wynikach.

Dodaj jako preferowane źródło Google