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iMessage Major Problem that Apple can't fix!
- Thread starter xorjo
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Did another test right before I mailed my iPhone 4 out and thought I would add what I found for further clarification.
I brought both devices (iPhone 4 after an "erase all content and settings" and an iPhone 4S with all of my data and information) back to the same WiFi network. I contacted friends who had iOS 5 and told them to message me. I received 5 iMessages within 5 minutes. ALL iMessages came ONLY to my 4S, none of them went to my original 4 that was once associated with all of information including my Apple ID.
I went into settings and checked iMessage. It was turned on but it said "waiting for activation." I then went into the Phone app settings and under "My Number" it said "Unknown." Same thing for the App Store and Game Center. The App Store simply said "Sign In" at the bottom and opening Game Center showed blank username and password fields.
So, it would seem that doing an "erase all data and settings" and taking out the SIM card associated with your cell number and not putting it back in the phone would prevent anybody from using iMessage with your number or your information, or any of your Apple ID information for that matter. However, as it was brought up in a previous post, this doesn't do anything for those who either lose their device or have it stolen. I'm not sure if a remote wipe comes into play here or not. If not, that is a serious issue that Apple needs to have brought to their attention, if they aren't aware of it already/currently.
I brought both devices (iPhone 4 after an "erase all content and settings" and an iPhone 4S with all of my data and information) back to the same WiFi network. I contacted friends who had iOS 5 and told them to message me. I received 5 iMessages within 5 minutes. ALL iMessages came ONLY to my 4S, none of them went to my original 4 that was once associated with all of information including my Apple ID.
I went into settings and checked iMessage. It was turned on but it said "waiting for activation." I then went into the Phone app settings and under "My Number" it said "Unknown." Same thing for the App Store and Game Center. The App Store simply said "Sign In" at the bottom and opening Game Center showed blank username and password fields.
So, it would seem that doing an "erase all data and settings" and taking out the SIM card associated with your cell number and not putting it back in the phone would prevent anybody from using iMessage with your number or your information, or any of your Apple ID information for that matter. However, as it was brought up in a previous post, this doesn't do anything for those who either lose their device or have it stolen. I'm not sure if a remote wipe comes into play here or not. If not, that is a serious issue that Apple needs to have brought to their attention, if they aren't aware of it already/currently.
In the several threads I've read about this, your posts are the first I've seen that offer a down-to-earth, factual account of how to ensure your iMessage profile info is wiped before selling an iPhone. Nice job! And thanks.
I agree about the whole theft/loss thing though. Hope that's an issue on somebody's radar in Cupertino.
I agree about the whole theft/loss thing though. Hope that's an issue on somebody's radar in Cupertino.
I've been paying attention to this thread from the start, and it is an interesting (yet worrying) issue.
I did some tests on a friends phone as they were planning to sell it. I can pretty much confirm everything that's been said so far - an erase/restore will stop the phone from receiving iMessages, as will just turning iMessage off and removing the SIM (if you turn iMessage back on, it will only reactivate with the apple id, not the phone number).
So if you're selling a phone, make sure you erase all content, and don't put your SIM in it at all (ie don't activate it!). If you absolutely must show it working, make sure you erase again before handing it over.
If your phone gets lost/stolen, then you're in trouble. I don't know for certain if a deactivated SIM will still activate an iPhone (or even if the number is stored on it), but you've got to hope that the remote wipe works as well. Sadly as it currently stands, if your phone does get stolen and you never see it again, you can't ever be 100% sure that no one is seeing every iMessage you send/receive
I did some tests on a friends phone as they were planning to sell it. I can pretty much confirm everything that's been said so far - an erase/restore will stop the phone from receiving iMessages, as will just turning iMessage off and removing the SIM (if you turn iMessage back on, it will only reactivate with the apple id, not the phone number).
So if you're selling a phone, make sure you erase all content, and don't put your SIM in it at all (ie don't activate it!). If you absolutely must show it working, make sure you erase again before handing it over.
If your phone gets lost/stolen, then you're in trouble. I don't know for certain if a deactivated SIM will still activate an iPhone (or even if the number is stored on it), but you've got to hope that the remote wipe works as well. Sadly as it currently stands, if your phone does get stolen and you never see it again, you can't ever be 100% sure that no one is seeing every iMessage you send/receive
Well since you already changed your password and account address...You could change your phone number, bring in your iPhone to Apple and have it exchanged for a new ID, or even try a complete restore as a new phone...One of those methods has to work I would think.
I have the same problem
Hi Xorjo,
I seem to have the same problem.
When I SMS with my wife (iMessage) she get's weird responses to our conversation from my phone, which I have never written, and that we can only see on her phone in our conversation.
And apparently who ever is listening in, they can read our conversation, since they are answers to our conversation - but I never wrote some of the texts she gets in the middle of our conversation.
What's going on and is this a bug in iMessage or what?
We are both on the latest iOS 5.1 and i have an iPhone 4 and hers is a 4S.
Hi Xorjo,
I seem to have the same problem.
When I SMS with my wife (iMessage) she get's weird responses to our conversation from my phone, which I have never written, and that we can only see on her phone in our conversation.
And apparently who ever is listening in, they can read our conversation, since they are answers to our conversation - but I never wrote some of the texts she gets in the middle of our conversation.
What's going on and is this a bug in iMessage or what?
We are both on the latest iOS 5.1 and i have an iPhone 4 and hers is a 4S.
Apple should add a web interface somehow that shows which devices are authorised to use imessages with either your phone number or your email addresses.. this is happening way too often and seriously makes me worry about selling my current iphone when the 5 comes out soon.
look no further
found this link on businessinsider.com: https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do
it allows to deregister devices (and other stuff)
rgds
Andy
found this link on businessinsider.com: https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do
it allows to deregister devices (and other stuff)
rgds
Andy
Did you, at any time, have your iPhone serviced? Whether it was at an Apple store or from anyone? Did that person put their sim card into your phone to "test" it? In doing so, that person now has the ability to read and view all your text messages. There was an article about it on Engadget, and I tried looking for it but their search engine is awful.