Newer versions of the iPhone have a new security feature to help protect your phone from being stolen or falling into the wrong hands.
When you first set up your iPhone, there’s an opportunity to enable theft and loss protection, sometimes called Activation Lock or Find My iPhone. If you lose your iPhone or it gets stolen, you can use this security feature to prevent another person from using or erasing your phone.
This article explains how to activate these settings on your iPhone and what to do if you lose it or it is stolen.
Which iOS Devices Have Find My iPhone?
The following iOS devices have Find My iPhone:
– iPhone – If your phone was made after September 2012, you can use Find My iPhone. If your phone is earlier than that, you can use Find My iPhone while connected to WiFi. You might not be able to use all of the features.
– iPad – You can use Find My iPad if you have an iPad with iOS 10 or later. If your iPad is earlier than that, you can use Find My iPad while connected to WiFi. You might not be able to use all of the features.
– iPod touch – You can use Find My iPod touch if your device was made after September 2012. You might not be able to use all of the features.
– Apple Watch – Your Apple Watch has Find My iPhone built in. You can see your Apple Watch as a device on your iCloud account.
How to Enable Find My iPhone for iOS Devices?
If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can use this feature to prevent someone from using or erasing your device.
Find My iPhone is turned off by default. To turn it on, follow these steps: –
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on iCloud.
Tap on Find My iPhone.
If you don’t see this option, you’ll need to turn it on. – Tap the toggle switch next to Find My iPhone to turn it on.
What to Do If You Lose Your iPhone or It Gets Stolen?
If you lose your iPhone, you can use Find My iPhone to prevent someone from using or erasing your device.
Find My iPhone is turned off by default. To turn it on, follow these steps: –
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on iCloud.
Tap on Find My iPhone. If you don’t see this option, you’ll need to turn it on.
Tap the toggle switch next to Find My iPhone to turn it on.
The person who finds your phone can use the iCloud website to erase your iPhone.
If they erase it, they’ll also erase any data that you have saved in iCloud, like your contacts, photos, and other data. If you have a passcode on your phone, you’ll need it to erase it.
If you don’t have it, you can use Lost Mode to erase your phone remotely. Lost Mode erases your phone after 24 hours and lets you set a new passcode.
The person who finds your phone will see a message asking them to call you.
How to Erase the Data on Your Lost or Stolen iPhone?
If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can remotely erase your phone using Find My iPhone. This will erase your iPhone and all the data on it.
You can do this from the iCloud website.
- Find My iPhone is turned off by default. To turn it on, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on iCloud.
- Tap on Find My iPhone.
- If you don’t see this option, you’ll need to turn it on.
- Tap Erase iPhone.
- If you don’t see this option, you’ll need to turn on Lost Mode.
You can learn where do saved voice messages go on iPhone.
How to Remotely Lock and Wipe the Data on Your Lost or Stolen iPhone?
If you lost your iPhone or it was stolen, you can remotely lock and wipe the data on your phone. You can do this from the iCloud website.
Find My iPhone is turned off by default.
To turn it on, follow these steps: – Open the Settings app on your iPhone. – Scroll down and tap on iCloud. – Tap on Find My iPhone.
If you don’t see this option, you’ll need to turn it on.
Find My iPhone will let you know if it was turned off. If it was, you’ll need to turn it on.
Wrapping up: Protecting your data in the event of theft or loss
You can use Find My iPhone to protect your phone from being stolen or falling into the wrong hands. If you ever lose your iPhone or it gets stolen, you can use Find My iPhone to remotely erase your device. Find My iPhone can also help you locate your iPhone if you can’t find it at home.
You can use Find My iPhone to see the last place your phone connected to WiFi. You can also remotely lock your phone and/or remotely erase your phone if you think it’s in the wrong hands. It’s important to remember to protect your data, especially if your phone has sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, or sensitive medical information.
You can set up a passcode on your phone to prevent others from accessing your data if they get a hold of your phone.
