Disable stolen device protection when you own the device but can't access your account
Stolen device protection is a security feature that locks your phone or computer if someone tries to use it without your permission. On iPhones, it requires your face or fingerprint to change settings or install apps. On Android and Windows, similar features may require your password or PIN. You disable it by signing into your account, verifying your identity, and turning off the setting in your device's security menu.
You need to disable it when you've forgotten your account password, lost access to your recovery email, or can no longer use the phone number tied to your account. You may also need to disable it if you're selling or giving away a device and the previous owner's account is still linked to it.
The process differs by device type and operating system. Each path requires proof that you own the device or account — usually a password, recovery code, or identity verification through your account provider.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, you disable stolen device protection through Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection, then toggle it off after entering your passcode.
- On Android devices with Google Play Protect, go to Settings > Security > Find My Mobile or Google Find My Device and disable remote lock features.
- On Windows computers, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Find My and turn off the toggle for device location tracking.
- If you can't access your account password, use your account provider's account recovery process — Apple, Google, or Microsoft — which may take several days.
- Selling a device requires removing the previous owner's account entirely, not just disabling the protection feature.
Disable stolen device protection on an iPhone
Open Settings on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). Enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down to find Stolen Device Protection and tap the toggle next to it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, indicating the feature is now disabled.
If you see a message saying "Stolen Device Protection is on," it means the feature is active. You must enter your passcode to disable it. If you've forgotten your passcode, you'll need to reset your iPhone using a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), or use iCloud.com to erase the device remotely and set it up again.
After disabling stolen device protection, you can change settings and install apps without the extra biometric verification that the feature normally requires.
Disable stolen device protection on Android
The process on Android depends on which manufacturer made your phone and which security features it includes. Most Android phones use Google Find My Device as the primary anti-theft tool. Open Settings and search for "Find My Device" or "Find My Mobile" (Samsung phones use this name). Tap the toggle to turn it off.
If you're using a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts, select your Samsung account, and look for Find My Mobile. Tap it and sign in, then navigate to Settings within the app and disable remote lock and tracking features.
For Google accounts on non-Samsung phones, you can also visit myaccount.google.com on a computer, go to Security, and scroll to Your devices. Select the device you want to manage and click Manage all to remove it from your account or disable Find My Device.
Disable stolen device protection on Windows
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the equivalent feature is called Find My. Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security. Scroll down and click Find My. Toggle off Find My Device to disable remote location tracking and the ability for Microsoft to lock your computer remotely.
You must be signed into your Microsoft account to access this setting. If you've forgotten your Microsoft password, visit account.microsoft.com on another device and use the password recovery process, which may require access to a backup email or phone number.
Disabling Find My does not remove your Microsoft account from the computer. If you're selling the device, you should also remove your account entirely by going to Settings > Accounts > Other users and deleting your profile, or by signing in with a different account and removing the old one.
What to do if you can't access your account password
If you can't remember your password and stolen device protection is blocking you, you'll need to recover your account through your provider's official recovery process. For Apple accounts, go to iforgot.apple.com on another device. For Google accounts, visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For Microsoft accounts, go to account.microsoft.com/security-info.
Each provider will ask you to verify your identity using a backup email address, phone number, or security questions you set up previously. The process typically takes 24 to 72 hours. During this time, you won't be able to use stolen device protection features, but you also won't be able to make changes to your account from the locked device.
Keep your recovery email and phone number current in your account settings. This is the fastest way to regain access if you're locked out. Check your account security page at least once a year to confirm the recovery information is correct.
Remove a previous owner's account from a device you now own
If you bought a used device or received one from someone else, the previous owner's account may still be linked to it, and their stolen device protection will prevent you from using it fully. You have two options: ask the previous owner to remove their account, or perform a factory reset and set up the device as new.
If you can contact the previous owner, ask them to sign into the device, go to their account settings, and remove the device from their account. On iPhones, they should go to Settings > [Their Name] > iCloud and tap Find My, then select the device and tap Remove from Account. On Android, they should visit myaccount.google.com and remove the device from their account. On Windows, they should sign in and go to Settings > Accounts and remove the device.
If you can't reach the previous owner, a factory reset will erase the device and remove their account. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. After the reset, you can set up the device with your own account.
Understand what disabling stolen device protection actually does
Disabling stolen device protection removes the extra security layer that requires your biometric data or password to change sensitive settings. It does not remove your account from the device, sign you out, or erase your data. Your device will still be password-protected at startup, and your account will still be linked to it.
If you disable stolen device protection and then lose the device, a thief will have an easier time accessing your settings and installing malicious apps. You should only disable it if you have a specific reason — such as regaining access to your own device after losing your password, or preparing a device to give to someone else.
If you're giving a device to another person, the best practice is to remove your account entirely and let them set up their own account. This protects both your data and their security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling stolen device protection erase my data?
No. Disabling stolen device protection only turns off the extra security verification. Your files, photos, messages, and apps remain on the device. Your account stays linked to it unless you manually remove the account or perform a factory reset.
Can I disable stolen device protection without knowing my passcode?
No. You must enter your device passcode to disable the feature. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to reset your device using your account recovery process through iCloud, Google, or Microsoft, which can take several days.
What's the difference between disabling stolen device protection and removing my account?
Disabling the feature turns off the extra security check but leaves your account on the device. Removing your account signs you out completely and disconnects the device from your account. If you're selling the device, remove your account entirely rather than just disabling the protection.
Do I need to disable stolen device protection before selling my phone?
You should remove your account from the device before selling it, not just disable the protection. This prevents the buyer from accessing your data and ensures they can set up their own account without your account blocking them.
If I disable stolen device protection, can someone else turn it back on?
Only someone with your device passcode or account password can turn it back on. Once disabled, the feature stays off until you or someone with your credentials enables it again.