You can use recovery mode to restore your iPhone or iPad if you've forgotten your passcode. To access the recovery mode, you need a computer and a cable to connect your iPhone to the computer. If ...

From there, a thief could use the passcode to change the device's Apple ID, turn off "Find my iPhone" so their location can't be tracked, and then reset the recovery key, a complex 28-digit code ...

This guide covers how to protect against iPhone password reset attacks with three steps to secure your account.