Apple can’t Restore Data From Lost Teen’s iPhone

It looks like that Apple has been unable to restore data contained on an iPhone that belongs to a teen that was lost at sea. The family of Austin Stephanos, who went missing with friend Perry Cohen, were hoping the device could provide vital information that may help track them down.

“Apple representatives said the iPhone cannot be restored to working order, therefore, no pictures, e-mails, texts or last known GPS information can be retrieved from Austin’s cellphone,” reports WPBF.

The teenagers were last seen on July 24 leaving Jupiter Inlet off the coast of Florida for a fishing trip. Stephanos’ iPhone, which was submerged in sea water for 8 months, was recovered along with their boast by the captain of the Edda Fjord on its way to Norway.

According to Blu Stephanos’ attorney, Mike Pike, Apple had to dismantle the device to run diagnostic tests on it and clean the components. The company had a team of people working on it around the clock, but they were unable to recover any data.

“Although they were unable to restore the phone to a functional state, I want to thank Apple, Inc. for their hard work and generous assistance,” Stephanos said. “If the FBI turned to Apple when they needed help, I see no reason to doubt that every possible means was employed to get Austin’s phone working again.”

Apple has informed the families that there are other experts who may be able to recover the data, according to Pam Cohen, Perry’s mother.

“Apple has offered to securely hand the iPhone off to an expert in this technology if the families can agree on such an expert,” Cohen said.

“We look forward to working cooperatively with Austin’s family toward this transition. We are not giving up on the iPhone’s potential for evidence until all viable efforts have been exhausted.”

[Source]