How to find a lost iPhone? Blocking disabling geolocation detection. “Last location” mode
For iPhone users- not just a gadget, but a significant part of life. The loss of a smartphone can, to put it mildly, be disconcerting: a person loses not only his phone, but also his diary, photos, contacts, guidebooks, and favorite music. Avoiding collapse is easy! Apple developers have done a great job, and thanks to geolocation services, it’s easy to find what’s missing. But how to find an iPhone if it is turned off? We will tell you about lifesavers that allow you to perform tracking and will help you find your device if it is stolen or lost.
Ways to find a turned off iPhone
If you have lost your phone, first call it from another number. If this has already been done and, probably, to no avail, the first step is to contact law enforcement agencies - file a report about the loss of the gadget. To contact the police you will need the following documents:
- general passport;
- any documents for the iPhone (international mobile equipment identifier data);
- a cash receipt that confirms the purchase of the device.
If you are lucky, the investigator will be eager to find your unit and will immediately make a request to the operators cellular communications. If the thief or finder of the phone knows nothing about iPhone tracking programs (this also happens), then you are doubly lucky. There are chances to find out which SIM card was inserted into the phone after it was lost or in what specific place the call was made using your “Apple friend”. This information helps you find your device.
Don't you hope that the valiant police will immediately rush to search for your pet? Right. After going to the police (or better yet, at the same time), start looking for the smartphone yourself. We'll tell you how to find your iPhone if it's turned off. While professional detectives get their hands on your application, perhaps you yourself will cope with the problem and find out where the expensive unit is located.
Via iCloud service
iCloud will help you find a switched off phone. This option is the official cloud storage Apple, which allows the user to access files online from any device, saves backup copies of the data of their “Apple product” and helps the owner find a lost device. At the same time, remember, in order to see where the gadget is at this time, you need to specifically connect the corresponding function.
Did your phone get lost near the computer you are using to look for your gadget? You will hear a loud sound. The siren can be heard even when the iPhone is set to silent. Do you suspect that the gadget did not disappear at home? You can protect all the information recorded on it even remotely: set a password and no one will unlock your phone. It's better to delete all data altogether. Once the device is found, they can be easily restored from backup copy.
Don't forget about the great Lost Mode feature, which is also activated in iCloud. When you turn it on, your message with specified number phone - the device that finds it will be able to call you back directly from it, despite the fact that it is blocked. In addition, you can make and receive calls on an iPhone that is in lost mode.
By IMEI number
International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, is unique number device assigned to the device by the manufacturer. The information is intended to identify the unit on the network and is stored in its firmware. A code like a serial number is always indicated in several places:
- on the smartphone itself (to recognize it, you need to type *#06# on the keyboard - the data will appear on the screen);
- under battery;
- on back side the box in which the gadget was sold;
- in the warranty card.
At the request of the police or the owner of the smartphone, the cellular communication company can monitor signal transmission even when the phone is turned off. It is believed that the code cannot be faked, and if the new owner of your iPhone activates it, there is a chance that the phone number can be determined. However, as practice shows, criminals manage to bypass this method of protection.
Using the Find My iPhone app
Another application will help you find your iPhone - the program is called Find My iPhone. The service is included in free subscription iCloud and everything else can determine the location of the gadget, send messages to its screen, protect the device with a password or erase all its contents. There is no need to specifically download the application to your phone, since it is already part of the device’s operating system. For this feature to work, you need to enable Find My iPhone in the settings in advance. Geolocation determination is allowed only when the gadget is turned on (with active GPS function).
How does Find My iPhone work?
It is impossible to use the application after losing your phone. The program must be installed in advance. Don't forget to do this, otherwise you will regret it someday! Please note that when setting up the function, the device will ask you to allow geolocation - one of the operating conditions this application. It is likely that after this the battery will discharge somewhat faster.
How to enable the function via computer
Apple can be proud of this statistic: with the launch of the Find iPhone service, the number of iPhone thefts has decreased significantly. No wonder: finding a stolen device is much easier when this function is enabled. After being blocked by the owner, a smartphone in the hands of thieves becomes just a set of spare parts or a meaningless toy. You can download the Find iPhone program, but this is not at all necessary!
Procedure to enable the Find iPhone function via a computer:
- You will need an exit to " world wide web" Without this there is no way.
- It doesn't matter what operating system your phone has, Windows or Mac. Go to iCloud.com.
- In the authorization window, enter Apple data ID. Be careful not to agree to the “Keep me logged in” clause when working from someone else’s computer. You can check the box only when you logged in from your personal PC.
- After launching the application, select your device in the “My Devices” menu.
- The application will start scanning, after which an image of a map will appear on the screen, on which the location of your loss will be marked. Depending on where exactly your cell phone “rests” from you, take steps to return it.
- Lost your phone in your apartment or office? Use the beep to find your device.
- It turned out that the phone was left in a beauty salon or car center? Send a message to the screen of your gadget asking them to call you back on another number. This text will immediately appear on your phone.
- The saddest outcome of a search situation. You realized that you have lost your smartphone in public place or, worse than that, it was deliberately stolen from you. Protect your personal data urgently! Set a four-digit password to prevent anyone from downloading your photos or reading your messages by erasing them remotely.
- Once again: if the Find My iPhone function is not configured in advance, then you will only have to rely on the police or chance. Take care of your friend!
How to disable the feature
Another situation is possible: you will need to turn off the Find My iPhone function, for example, when selling your phone or sending it in for repair. There are two main options for deactivation: directly through the device or remotely. It’s probably not worth saying that in both cases this function can be disabled only after entering the password for Apple account ID. Without this there is no way.
The first method is the simplest and most convenient, but it requires access to the device:
- Go to the "Settings" menu.
- Find iCloud.
- Scroll down the list to the “Find iPhone” position, switch the toggle switch to “off” mode.
- Confirm your decision with your account password Apple records ID.
- After this simple operation, you will be notified by email that the function has been disabled.
Method two – if you don’t have a mobile phone on hand, you can disable the “Find iPhone” function remotely:
- First you need to go to the appropriate application.
- Install the program in App Store or on the website at https://icloud.com/find.
- Open the My Devices menu from navigation bar.
- In the list that appears, select your mobile phone.
- Removing a smartphone from the list is only allowed when it is offline.
- When working with the mobile application, click on the “Delete” button; in the web version, click the “cross”.
- Finally, the application will ask you to confirm your actions and at the same time remind you that after this, another person will be able to activate the iPad.
Not everything is completely clear? Use our video instructions https://youtu.be/rLPHQ76HHvw, where the “Find iPhone” program is explained step by step and gives instructions for action to those who have lost their phone; you don’t know how to find its location. Read this lesson and you will learn how to find an iPhone by geolocation, by GPS, and you can easily find all your devices with identical Apple ID.
Video: how to find an iPhone if it's stolen
Finally, one more piece of advice: be vigilant when searching for a phone! Often, the owners of a stolen smartphone become victims not only of thieves, but also of scammers. Those who go to various forums for advice often receive emails from “well-wishers.” Attackers offer to find a phone for a reasonable fee, for example, using a satellite. Don't pay a penny to unknown people!
Watch a video tutorial that will tell you how to find your iPhone if it is turned off. What to do if you lost your iPhone? How to track an iPhone from another iPhone? My phone was stolen, how can I find it? We hope that you will never ask yourself all these questions - there will be no reason. But if trouble happens, you will quickly deal with the problem after watching a visual video tutorial on this topic. Happy searching!
Lost an expensive iPhone with a ton of confidential data? Don’t worry, the capabilities of the iCloud cloud service and mobile operating system iOS systems They will help if you don’t find the lost device, then delete personal data or even block the iDevice. In order to ensure that if the iPhone is lost for one reason or another, the function Find My iPhone helped to find, delete or reset the device, you need to perform several preparatory steps.
Preparing iPhone
First, you need to enable the so-called Restrictions. To do this, go to Settings - General - Restrictions and enter the password twice, which will not be difficult to remember. Find the Privacy section in the list of restrictions settings and tap on the Geolocation line. Check the "Prohibit changes" box. On the same page, go to Find My iPhone and make sure the switch next to Status Menu Icon is turned off. This will help keep secret the fact that geolocation is enabled on your device.
Turn on Find My iPhone
The Find My iPhone feature is enabled in Settings in iCloud menu. Make sure that in this menu The switch opposite Find iPhone is in the “On” position.
As a result of the actions described above, if your device is lost, the attacker, if the device was stolen, will not be able to disable the “Find iPhone” function, and will not know that geolocation is enabled on the device. When you connect a lost device to the Internet, be it a 3G connection or via Wi-Fi, determining its location will not be difficult.
How to find a stolen iPhone?
You can find a lost or stolen iPhone for which the Find My iPhone function has been activated from any other device running iOS, PC or OS X.
Let's assume that you don't have another iOS device and let's try to find the iPhone using a desktop PC. To do this, your PC must have a connection to the World Wide Web.
In any accessible browser Go to iCloud.com and enter your Apple ID and password. Note that if in iCloud settings If you connected a different Apple ID than the one you entered in the browser, nothing will work. In iCloud, you must enter the same credentials that were connected to iCloud on the lost iPhone.
In the iCloud browser interface, go to the Find My iPhone app. A World map will be loaded in the central part of the page, indicating the last location of your device with an active Internet connection.
In the “All devices” drop-down list that you can click, all devices connected to your iCloud account (aka Apple ID) are displayed. If in currently accessed the Internet from a stolen iPhone, the device will be marked with a green mark in the list.
What does Find iPhone do?
The developers at Apple are clearly not in vain when they “eat their bread.” The Find iPhone function can send sound signal to a lost device, a message (message content can be set personally) on the lock screen stating that the iDevice was lost, indicating the number contact phone number(not relevant for “our brother”), lock the device with a password, completely erase all personal data and personal settings.
Be careful: after erasing the data and restoring the settings to factory settings, it will no longer be possible to track the device.
Is it possible to find an iPhone when GPS is turned off?
When the geolocation service is disabled (settings-basic-restrictions-geolocation-turn off geolocation service), the location of even the connected Internet iPhone cannot be determined, so make sure that it is impossible to disable geolocation without entering the restrictions password.
Even with the geolocation service disabled, the lost iPhone function Find iPhone can send beeps, send system notifications with user-specified content or completely erase personal data and restore the iPhone to factory settings.
How does Activation-Lock work on iOS 7?
Activation Lock in iOS 7 starts when Find My iPhone is turned on. If the lock is active, in order to disable Find My iPhone, delete data from the device, or reactivate and use the device, you must first enter your Apple ID and password for your account.
The function allows you to protect your device from use by intruders by completely blocking the device when it is restored. It will be impossible to use a stolen device with Find My iPhone enabled without entering your Apple ID and password.
It is important to know that if the owner for some reason forgets the Apple ID or password, it will no longer be possible to remove the lock.
Note to owners Mac computers: Find My Mac does not include Activation Lock.
Finally
It is worth noting, Find iPhone This is definitely a useful and in-demand feature. On the one hand, it allows you to quickly and easily find a device in the office or your own room by sending a sound signal, lock the device with a password, send a custom message to a lost device, or completely delete all data and completely lock your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. On the other hand, if there is a possibility that you yourself will forget your Apple ID or its password, you will have to choose the “lesser of two evils”: either protection against theft or loss, or protection against absolute blocking of the device.
Since the launch of Apple's Find iPhone service, the number of thefts of Apple mobile devices has decreased significantly. The thing is that it has become very easy to find a stolen iPhone, iPad or Mac, and the device itself, locked by the owner, became in the hands of criminals just a set of spare parts and nothing more.
What is “Find iPhone” and how can you use this function to protect your iOS device from theft?
In case of theft or loss of an iPhone or iPad, thanks to the “Find iPhone” function, it is possible to:
- determine the device’s geoposition on the map;
- play a sound signal to help you find a smartphone or tablet if it is somewhere nearby;
- activate lost mode, blocking iPhone, iPad;
- remotely erase all information from a stolen device.
How to enable Find My iPhone
In order to start using the Find My iPhone feature, you must first enable it in the settings of your device.“Find iPhone” is activated in the settings of the iOS device. Open settings, go to iCloud > Find My iPhone(or “Find iPad”) and drag the slider to the “on” position. In the same subsection you can enable/disable automatic sending the latest location of your device in Apple whenever the battery charge is critically low.
Simultaneously with enabling the Find My iPhone function for protection mobile device The attackers begin to block activation.
iPhone Activation Lock
Activation Lock or Activation Lock- came with iOS 7 new opportunity increasing safety iPhone data or iPad. Activation Lock turns on automatically when Find My iPhone is activated, assigning an Apple ID to the iOS devices you use. After this, the following actions will become impossible without entering your Apple ID password:- disabling the Find My iPhone feature on the device;
- deleting data from the device;
- reactivation and use of the device.
How to disable Find My iPhone
Turning off Find My iPhone is necessary when transferring the device to a new owner and for servicing the iPhone or iPad.There are several ways to disable Find My iPhone:
- in the iPhone or iPad settings;
- remotely, through iCloud service;
- by deleting the account iCloud recording from the device in the settings or by erasing the content and iPhone settings, iPad.
How to find iPhone from computer via iCloud
You can find your iPhone via iCloud from any computer or mobile device through a browser. To do this, you need to go to the icloud.com page and enter your Apple ID and password.
Next, go to the “Find iPhone” application. Here you may need to enter your Apple ID password again.
The My Devices menu displays all your devices on which the same iCloud account has been activated.
To obtain information about the current geoposition of the device you are interested in, as well as access to the control panel, you just need to select it in the “My Devices” menu.
Find My iPhone app
You can use all the features provided by Find iPhone, such as tracking the geolocation of the device or blocking it in case of theft, both through the iCloud service and using the universal mobile application Find iPhone. Find My iPhone is available for free download on the App Store.After installation, simply launch the application and sign in using your Apple ID and password. Once authenticated, you can always track iPhone location, iPad or Mac on the card, provided that the same iCloud account is activated on all listed devices.
How to Find a Lost or Stolen iPhone
If Find My iPhone has been activated on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac, then immediately after detecting the loss you should enable “Lost Mode” via iCloud or mobile app"Find iPhone."Activation this mode will block your smartphone, tablet or computer and require you to enter
If the device was previously protected, then when the lost mode is activated, a combination of numbers already familiar to the owner will be used as a password. Otherwise, you will need to come up with a new password.
It is worth noting that if the lost device is not connected to the Internet, then all your commands sent through the Find iPhone or iCloud application will be executed only after the device appears on the Internet.
If you haven’t found an answer to your question or something didn’t work out for you, and there is no suitable solution in the comments below, ask a question through ours. It's fast, simple, convenient and doesn't require registration. You will find answers to your and other questions in the section.
The smartphone today is used not only as a means of communication. It stores a lot of useful and important information. Theft or loss of a device can result in a serious problem. The location of a switched-on phone can be easily tracked using special applications. The situation is different when the device is turned off or discharged. Let's look at how to find an iPhone.
Is it possible to find a lost or stolen iPhone?
The hardest thing to track is an iPhone with a dead battery. operating system latest generation has a built-in function for tracking the device. Before turning off, the iPhone sends an SMS indicating its location. But you can use the function only after it is activated. This way you can easily track your lost iPhone, which works on iOS 8 with the battery disconnected.
How to find an iPhone if it's turned off
The easiest way to find an iPhone is through the website.
In the service menu, select the item. A city map will open. In the top tab "All devices" select lost iPhone. Its location will be displayed on the screen.
If you move the cursor to a point on the map, an auxiliary menu will open. Must be activated "Lost Mode". You can turn on the sound on your iPhone (if it is somewhere close) or erase all data. If debit or debit information has been saved in the settings credit card, then activating the mode will temporarily block the ability to perform any transactions from these accounts through the application store.
As long as it's activated "Lost Mode" on iPhone you can lock your iPhone using random set numbers. If at this moment the device is connected to the network, it will immediately be blocked until the code is reset. If the phone is in offline mode, then to the specified email You will receive a message indicating your location.
The quality of the maps in the application leaves much to be desired. Sometimes a city with a population of 200,000 people can be located at the intersection of two roads. You can try to find your iPhone by switching the map to hybrid or satellite mode.
IN "Lost Mode" You can also send a message to your iPhone asking for the device to be returned.
Find iPhone by IMEI or phone number
IMEI- this is a unique phone code. it is assigned to the device by the manufacturer. It is almost impossible to change this code yourself. To find it out, just type the key combination *#06# .
There are special services to find an iPhone via IMEI. The principle of their operation is similar to that described earlier. The user specifies a unique iPhone code and activates a search using geolocation data. In practice, finding an iPhone this way is almost impossible because:
- It is extremely rare, but attackers still manage to change IMEI. To search for an iPhone, you need access to special equipment and operator databases. This information is available only from law enforcement.
The only way to find an iPhone using a code is to place an ad on LoSToleN service. This is the IMEI database of stolen devices. Their owners publish information about the lost phone and indicate the reward amount. Participants in the secondary market often check devices for the presence of information in the database.
How to search for a phone using the Find my iPhone function
As mentioned earlier, the iPhone has a device search program. First of all, it must be activated. To do this, in the phone settings (the gear-shaped button is located on the main screen), click on Apple ID. It's located at the top of the menu and includes your iPhone's username and photo (if you've previously uploaded one). You must log in to the system by entering iPhone login and password.
In devices that operate on old version iOS, the Apple ID section is missing. The function will be performed activate through, located in the second section of the menu.
Going to the section Apple ID/iCloud, scroll the menu to . The slider located opposite should be activated (lit green). You also need to activate the option.
If the function was not previously activated, then you will not be able to find the device using it. But you can protect information. To do this you should:
- Change your account password on iPhone. Without Apple ID authorization impossible to get data from cloud storage and take advantage iMessage or iTunes.Change passwords for all accounts installed on iPhone applications. Notify your carrier about losing your iPhone. He will turn off account, preventing calls from being made, messages from being sent and data being used.
Special cases
1. If in the application the device lights up in mode "offline", it means it is not connected to the network. That is, it will not be possible to carry out any manipulations remotely. All that remains is to wait until it is connected to the network. About activation of the lost mode to the address specified during registration Email a message will come.
2. If the screen was locked, you won't have to wait long. It is enough to reset the settings to factory settings or reflash the phone. After this, the device will be reconnected to the network and the owner will be able to block it.
3. If the iPhone was not turned on Touch ID, the lost mode is not activated, the attacker will be able to use the device. At the same time, disable the search function, iTunes recovery he won't succeed. As well as changing Apple ID.
Special applications and programs for finding iPhone
To find a lost device you can use third party application, For example, Find My Friends. The program works via cloud iCloud service. Its main purpose is to quickly determine the location of iPhone owners through GPS And 3G those subscribers whose numbers are included in phone book.
The application also expands the program's capabilities. You can exchange data about the location of an object more than between two devices. Information about location data will be sent to any iOS device. The application also has a built-in function parental controls. The program works with contact cards. The user will be able to continue fast way to your friend. This function is especially useful if the guest does not know the way, and the inviter cannot personally meet and accompany the guest.
For security purposes, the user will be able to configure "time window", during which other subscribers will receive information about his location. The interval can vary from several hours to several weeks. Once completed, the data transfer will be completed. The user can also completely "hide" from the surrounding world. The application also provides a function "following", with which you can send information about your movement to another subscriber within certain period time.
That is, using the program Find My Friends will be easy to find lost phone. The application is available for devices with iOS 5 and higher. Let's take a closer look at how to use the application.
On devices with iOS 9 and above the program is installed automatically. To work on all other devices, it must be downloaded from the application store. When you log in, you are automatically logged into the program with the same login. The application can be operated using the function through the cloud storage site.
The program will only work between devices on which the application is installed. You can only add contacts with iPhone, iPad or iPod by number or email address. The recipient must confirm the request to provide location data. If contacts in the phone book were added from another Apple ID, then you will have to drag them to the new account:
- 1. “Find Friends” > “Me”. 2. “Move friends from another Apple ID” > “Move friends”. 3. Log in to the system using your previous ID.
To hide your location from other subscribers, you need to log in to the program, go to the section "I" and disable the function.
To turn off the display of information about your movements, you need to go to the menu "Settings"> Login>scroll to and deactivate the option.
If you can’t find your iPhone, it’s better to block it to prevent an attacker from gaining access to the user’s personal data. To do this, the program should My iPhone enable lost mode.
Next, follow the instructions on the screen to create a password code. If you are trying to block the iPhone of one of your family members who does not have a code installed, then you need to log in Apple ID on behalf of the owner of the lost phone.
A couple more methods
If none of the above options help, then you can use these methods.
Contacting the police
You can write a report about the theft of your device to law enforcement agencies. In this case, the document will have to indicate serial iPhone number . It is indicated:
- on the iPhone case; in iTunes; in the Apple menu on a Mac computer; in the “About this device” subsection in “Settings” of the iPhone.
If the device is far away, then you need to find the original packaging and look at the barcode or receipt from the store.
To track the device by serial number Law enforcement officers may ask the owner to disable the lost mode or erase data from the cloud storage or device. If any of these actions are performed, the user will lose remote access to the device. However, iPhone owners need to know how to erase data from the device. If the function is activated on the device, you need to log in to the system, select the device and press the button "Erase", and then "Delete your account". As less radical measure Can change your Apple ID password. The user information will not be deleted, but the new owner of the iPhone will not be able to use it. To change the password, go to appleid.apple.com and click on the link "Forgot ID". At the next stage, you need to enter your account login and select the password recovery option: answer to Security Question, receiving a message by email, requesting a key for data recovery.
Contact the operator
If the likelihood of finding the iPhone is low, then you should report the loss to your cellular operator. The number will be blocked immediately. If scammers try to make any purchases in the app store, these charges can be appealed.Notifying friends on social media networks
It would also be useful to inform everyone social media about a missing iPhone. Perhaps you just forgot the device at someone you know.Call your number
You can find the device by calling lost number. There is always hope that you simply forgot your phone in a crowded place and there is a decent person nearby who will return your lost device.
WITH iOS update up to 4.2.1 service MobileMe became partially free. Below you will read how you can protect your iPhone from theft. The method is purely hypothetical, similar to a placebo, but nevertheless has several advantages.
Start by creating an account on me.com. Now you can do this for free in a couple of minutes. In response, you will receive a login/password, which you will need later.
Today we made another one on MobileMe facelift and added support for the Russian language.
After creating an account, download from the App Store free application Find My iPhone[iTunes link]. Do not confuse with Find My Device, which has a similar icon for money.
Next, let's go to Settings -> Mail, contacts, calendars -> Add… MobileMe account. We remember the login/password we created earlier. After authentication, enable Find iPhone.
All that remains is to launch the application Find My iPhone so that it connects to MobileMe. Remember, at certain intervals the telephone myself will send short packets with location coordinates to Apple servers, which will affect the operator’s pricing and battery life.
Now everything is ready to find yourself.
So, I decided to take the desperate step of losing my iPhone. He threw it across the room under the bed and pretended not to notice. The time has come to use heavy artillery. I'm running to my MacBook before it's too late. I go to me.com. Tap on blue mug from the map calls up a menu where three options are available: Block(with entering a password), Erase(remote all available information), Sound the horn. Left just a little bit.
If you want to prevent a thief from getting to your personal notes, contacts, sms, then select Erase.
If you are able to catch up with the thief, give him cabbage soup and return the phone, but protect your account from calling to Zimbabwe, choose Block.
If you want to prank someone in the office, stick your phone in the victim's bag and loudly say, "Has anyone seen my iPhone?" You attract attention one minute, curse unscrupulous people at their hands, then exclaim “Eureka! Now I’ll send a sound command remotely. I wonder who stole my phone?”
Click on Display Message and Play Sound, everyone hears something starting to squeak in your colleague’s bag.
You show surprise on your face.
