Lost iPhone 6s, cannot seem to erase it on iCloud

[Anonymous]

How do I do this easily? I seem to be encountering issues, since I can't access the device itself.

Also would a replacement for the handset be costly? I have insurance.

Lastly, is my data at risk?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Once you tell iCloud to wipe the phone it will hold onto that command until the phone reconnects to a mobile or wifi network, then it will erase everything.
As long as you have a passcode on no one can get at your data without knowing the code. Not even Apple.
The replacement cost on insurance will be whatever your policy excess is, usually around £60

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply MI5.

I've just managed to get past the hurdle of selecting 'erase'. But now it just says, 'erase pending'. So if the battery dies which I presume it will in a few hours, and in turn doesn't connect to a wifi connection, will the erase not go through?

[MI5]

It won't erase until it reconnects to a network but if someone finds it and charges it up it will erase as soon as it turns on.

[Anonymous]

I see. Was just worried there was a way a person could get it working for them and intercept the erase somehow. I've heard people saying the erase pending can show on iCloud for a long time but going by what you said it shouldn't even matter.

I just had a couple questions re: replacement. Since I have myriad two step authentications set-up for accounts, when I get a new device and in turn, a new SIM, will these be affected or will my number remain the same?

[MI5]

Your phone number will be the same on the replacement.