Stolen MacBook Returned Using Find My iPhone
“Where’s the laptop?” That was the haunting question one of our own employees, Kelsey Lewis, was asking after her apartment was broken into one night during a recent visit to Thailand. While she was out, burglars had gotten away with a MacBook Air and iPad. After confirming that they had been stolen, she didn't panic, instead she turned to Find My iPhone.
Find My iPhone is a free application that is available to all Apple users and unlike the name implies, it can be used to find your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and your laptop or
desktop. If your device or computer is ever stolen you can log into your iCloud account, via iCloud.com, or the Find My iPhone App on your iPhone or iPad. Once logged in, you can check to see if your device is on and connected to either a cellular network or WiFi. If it is, you can see its exact location. Find My iPhone isn’t just a tracker app. It also lets you remotely lock your device so no one can access it, set a message that it has been lost or stolen with your contact information, and delete all of your data. Even if your device isn’t stolen but you just can’t find it, Find My iPhone has a “Play Sound” feature that will cause your device to starting making a “pinging” noise. This is very helpful in finding that iOS device that slipped down between the couch cushions. If your device or computer is not turned on you won't be able to see its location, but you can get an alert that will tell you as soon as it comes online. Along with alerts, you can also use the passcode option and other features, they just won’t come into effect until your device is turned on and connected to either WiFi or cellular network.
There’s no doubt that having Find My iPhone is a good way to protect your information, help you locate a lost device or assist in retrieving a stolen mobile device or computer, but how do you get it up and running? It’s very simple. On an iOS device, access the App Store, download the application, and log in with your Apple ID. Once that is complete, go to your setting, select iCloud, and then make sure that Find My iPhone is enabled. On a Mac, open system preferences, select iCloud, sign in to your account, and check the box next to Find My Mac.
We are happy to report that Kelsey’s story has a happy ending. Two days after the laptop was stolen, Find My iPhone alerted her that it was online and displayed the location. She hopped in the car and made her way to where it was being used and called the police. Unfortunately, the police in Thailand are not much help and she thought it was gone for good after she wasn’t allowed to go and retrieve it. Thankfully the message that she set with Find My iPhone alerting the user that it was stolen, prompted him to turn it into the police. Find My iPhone saved the day! If you have any questions about Find My iPhone and for all your Apple needs, contact us at: support@cranstonit.com
desktop. If your device or computer is ever stolen you can log into your iCloud account, via iCloud.com, or the Find My iPhone App on your iPhone or iPad. Once logged in, you can check to see if your device is on and connected to either a cellular network or WiFi. If it is, you can see its exact location. Find My iPhone isn’t just a tracker app. It also lets you remotely lock your device so no one can access it, set a message that it has been lost or stolen with your contact information, and delete all of your data. Even if your device isn’t stolen but you just can’t find it, Find My iPhone has a “Play Sound” feature that will cause your device to starting making a “pinging” noise. This is very helpful in finding that iOS device that slipped down between the couch cushions. If your device or computer is not turned on you won't be able to see its location, but you can get an alert that will tell you as soon as it comes online. Along with alerts, you can also use the passcode option and other features, they just won’t come into effect until your device is turned on and connected to either WiFi or cellular network.
There’s no doubt that having Find My iPhone is a good way to protect your information, help you locate a lost device or assist in retrieving a stolen mobile device or computer, but how do you get it up and running? It’s very simple. On an iOS device, access the App Store, download the application, and log in with your Apple ID. Once that is complete, go to your setting, select iCloud, and then make sure that Find My iPhone is enabled. On a Mac, open system preferences, select iCloud, sign in to your account, and check the box next to Find My Mac.
We are happy to report that Kelsey’s story has a happy ending. Two days after the laptop was stolen, Find My iPhone alerted her that it was online and displayed the location. She hopped in the car and made her way to where it was being used and called the police. Unfortunately, the police in Thailand are not much help and she thought it was gone for good after she wasn’t allowed to go and retrieve it. Thankfully the message that she set with Find My iPhone alerting the user that it was stolen, prompted him to turn it into the police. Find My iPhone saved the day! If you have any questions about Find My iPhone and for all your Apple needs, contact us at: support@cranstonit.com