How ‘shutdown confirmation feature’ helped tech influencer to retrieve lost smartphones in Jama Masjid

Srinagar, Apr 23: Tech influencer Shahrukh shared his incredible story of how he found two of his smartphones after losing them in Delhi's Jama Masjid for Ramadan iftar last year.

In a post on X, Tech Star Shahrukh explained the process of locating his lost smartphones, an Apple iPhone 13 and a Xiaomi Civi 2, due to technological safeguards, reported India Today.

In a series of posts, Shahrukh recounts the entire situation, which he calls "A story of hope, patience and a little bit of luck."

He wrote, "On 15th April 2023, me and my wife went to Jama Masjid for iftar. There was too much crowd due to the month of Ramadan. We had 3 Phones with us - Apple iPhone 13, Xiaomi Civi 2, Redmi K50 Ultra - I kept all these phones in my side bag not knowing a disaster was going to happen."

Later, he discovered that the compartment in his bag containing the iPhone and the Xiaomi was tampered with, and the devices were missing. "While exiting Jama Masjid gate no. 1, I noticed my side bag chain was opened."

"When I checked, two of my phones were stolen. Apple iPhone 13 and Xiaomi CIVI 3 were both gone in a moment," he said in his post.

Shahrukh made an effort to notify bystanders, saying, "I shouted 'thieves, someone took my phone'."

He also informed the authorities, who told him that nothing could be done, saying,"We were making announcements for people like you. But you guys never listen."

When he tried calling his iPhone number, it was switched off. However, luckily, the Xiaomi Civi 2 was operational.

Thanks to its "Shutdown Confirmation" feature. The feature mandates a password for the device's shutdown which played a pivotal role in retrieving it.

Using the "Find My Device" function on the Xiaomi website, Shahrukh was able to locate the missing phone, which indicated that the device was still inside Jama Masjid.

"After tapping on Play Sound. The Xiaomi CIVI 2 successfully started sounding. The thieves can't silence them no matter what," Shahrukh said.

As the phone began ringing audibly, and he was also calling on that number simultaneously. A man named Saurav Srivastav finally received his call. He asked Shahrukh to take his phone near gate no 2 of Jama Masjid.

"When I met him, he returned both of my phones. Civi 2 as well as iPhone 13. Civi 2 was still sounding the alarm. He told me that he found my phone somewhere on the ground. I took my phone and thanked him and didn't question him much," Shahrukh added.

Soon after the phones were recovered, Shahrukh highlighted several other things that the thieves could have adopted to hinder the recovery efforts. They could have removed the SIM card from the lost phones. "But luckily, they didn't," Shahrukh exclaimed in a moment of relief.

Reflecting on the incident, Shahrukh shared his sentiments, saying, "Even though we got our phones back. That day still haunts us. It was pure horror. With some luck, so quick thinking, some patience and the help of Allah, we were able to get it back. If the thieves were more intelligent, we would have lost it," Shahrukh wrote on X.

Since being shared on X, Shahrukh's post has garnered over 2 million views on X. People shared their thoughts in the comments section of the post.

Speaking about Shahrukh's post, a person said, "I liked the whole thriller, but this last thing must be removed so that thieves remain unaware about this trick." Another person agreed with this opinion and said, "Don't give ideas to thieves".