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> Most new phones are trackable even if they are off, even.

For anyone wondering how this works: the cellular modem is a separate general-purpose computer that runs code from the manufacturer and the service provider, the only thing needed to allow tracking a phone that's off is circuitry to allow the modem to draw power independent of the rest of the phone.



Another good reason to prefer phones with physical switches to cut off the radios. Or removable batteries. Or both.

I guess a faraday pouch might be helpful, but I recall reading these aren't really as effective as many people believe.


I’ve had an iPhone receive a call inside a locked steel 50 cal ammo can. No clue how that is possible, but it happened.

I guess the gasket let enough EM through?

Amusingly, crumpled aluminum foil seems to have a better track record.


Planar surfaces do not attenuate as well as irregular surfaces.

Same principle applies in the visual spectrum.


What's the purpose of such contraptions?


Find my phone (as a benign example!) doesn’t work very well if you can’t find it if it’s off.




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