Find My iPhone, iPad or Mac function - from A to Z. How to find lost iPhones

Or a stolen smartphone is a serious nuisance. The first reason for frustration is the loss of the device itself, which costs a lot. Secondly, the iPhone’s memory stores information that is extremely necessary for the owner and is not intended for strangers. This can be either personal data (photos, videos, personal correspondence) or secret passwords from payment systems, mailboxes, and social network accounts. How are iPhones found if lost or stolen? The article provides ways to search for smartphones even if they are turned off.

Description of the Find My iPhone utility

The place where a phone is lost or stolen can be a street, public transport, a store, a cafe... How There is a method by which it is quite possible to determine the location of a cellular device. We are talking about the Find My iPhone program, which by default is built into the iOS operating system no older than the fifth version.

Using this utility is extremely simple. But there is one important nuance: all settings regarding the Find iPhone application must be made before the phone is lost. Otherwise, determining the location of the mobile device will be almost impossible.

The Find My iPhone service allows you to see the current coordinates of the smartphone’s location, block the device if necessary, or delete any information from it. All these actions are possible if the phone is connected to the Internet.

How to find an iPhone if it is turned off? This process will be described below, but now it is time to consider what settings must be set for the Find My iPhone utility in order for it to work correctly.

Setting up Find My iPhone

How to find the Find My iPhone feature? To do this, open the “Settings” section on your mobile device. Next you need to select iCloud. When prompted for an Apple ID and password, you must enter the required information. If everything is done correctly, the iCloud application menu will open. In order to enable the “Find iPhone” function, you should move the slider located opposite it to the right. Then click the “Allow” button in the request window that appears.

Then you need to activate the geolocation application. If this is not done, the mobile device will not be found even if the Find My iPhone utility is working correctly. You should go to the “Settings” section, select the “Privacy” item and by moving the slider to the right, make the “Geolocation” function active.

In the seventh version of iOS, the Find My iPhone utility has acquired a new Activation Lock feature, which is automatically turned on when you try to change these settings. Thanks to this innovation, an attacker will have much more problems when using or trying to sell a stolen phone.

Now you know how to find the “Find iPhone” function on your mobile device and configure it correctly. The next step will be to establish a ban on disabling the determination of the current geoposition.

Blocking disabling geolocation detection

How to find an iPhone if it is stolen? To do this, you need to make sure that attackers are not able to make certain changes to the settings of your mobile device. The first thing experienced thieves try to do is disable the Geolocation function, which allows you to determine the current location of your smartphone. To prevent them from doing this, you need to take care in advance to block access to this section. You should follow this route: “Settings” - “Basic” - “Restrictions” - “Privacy” - “Geolocation”. The system will require you to enter a four-digit password. You should come up with such a code and write it down on paper so that you don’t forget it later.

After this, the function of determining the current location can be disabled, either by knowing the access password, or after completely reflashing the device. While the thief is trying to carry out the last operation, the rightful owner of the phone will have more time to search for the mobile device.

How To do this you need to use the iCloud system. You can read more about this below.

Finding a smartphone using iCloud

How to find an iPhone 4 that was stolen? Regardless of the device model, the search process using iCloud will be the same. To detect your phone, you need to go to www.iCloud.com from your computer and enter the requested data. The system will require an Apple ID and password.

If the data is entered correctly, you will be logged into the site and the “Find iPhone” button will become available. After clicking on it, the “All devices” tab will appear. In the drop-down list, you need to select the device whose location you want to install.

Next to the name of the lost smartphone there will be an indicator in the form of a green or gray dot. In the first case, this signal indicates that the mobile device is connected to the Internet, and its coordinates will be determined. If the dot is gray, it means it is connected to the network. You shouldn't give up in this case. The article will describe the method if it is disabled.

After completing the steps described above, a special map will show the approximate location of the missing mobile device. The smaller the radius of the green circle that appears, the more accurately the geolocation is determined.

After this, all that remains is to write down the treasured coordinates of the iPhone’s location and take them to the police so that their employees can help return the phone to its rightful owner.

Additional iCloud features

Now you know how iPhones are found using the iCloud system. But in addition to determining the location of a stolen device, this service has a number of other useful functions. For example, you can completely erase all information stored in the memory of a missing phone. It is also possible to send an SMS to a stolen cellular device. And the owner of the phone can turn on the iPhone’s emergency siren directly from the iCloud website, which will continue until it is turned off by the rightful owner of the device. This signal is very loud and sounds even when the phone is turned off.

Another handy feature is “Notify me when detected.” When activated, a notification will be sent to the smartphone owner’s email if the device appears on the network, even if the SIM card is changed.

How to find an iPhone if it is stolen? One way could be the new My Friends app, which is described in more detail below.

My Friends program

How to find an iPhone 5 that is stolen or lost? The My Friends application allows you to determine on a map the location of people who use Apple products, regardless of the model of these devices. If two people installed this program on their gadgets and activated it using their Apple IDs, then they can see each other’s geolocations. This can be used as a way to find your missing phone. A prerequisite for determining location is that the device must be turned on.

How are iPhones found using IMEI code?

You can find a smartphone using the iCloud service in 80 percent of cases if the owner hurried and tried to determine the location of the mobile device within a few hours after it was lost.

But how to find an iPhone if you have lost a device in which the iCloud service is not configured properly? In this case, the IMEI code can come to the rescue. This individual number consists of 14 digits. It is unique for each gadget and remains unchanged even when using a different SIM card.

How to use IMEI code to find a missing phone? Firstly, it will definitely be needed when the owner of the cell phone calls the police for help.

Secondly, you need to provide the IMEI number to your mobile operator so that they can assist in detecting the device using satellite equipment.

Also, the IMEI code can help when the owner of the device, for example, in another country has lost an iPhone. How to find if it is turned off? In this case, it is recommended to leave the unique number of the cellular device in a special database that is globally accessible. If someone finds a smartphone with the specified IMEI code, he will contact the owner of the device thanks to the coordinates left in the system.

How to find an iPhone by phone number?

If the owner probably knows that the device was stolen, then how to find the phone? The iPhone may be turned on, and the thieves did not have time to change the SIM card. You should call this number from another mobile phone. Perhaps the attacker will agree to return the stolen phone for a reward.

If there is no connection with the mobile number, you need to write to the police. You should indicate the estimated time and place of the crime, IMEI code and SIM card phone number.

Police officers, together with the mobile operator, will try to establish the geoposition of the device and, possibly, return the iPhone to its rightful owner.

How to find an iPhone if it is turned off?

If the missing phone is turned off, there is still a chance of it being returned to its owner. The development of Apple, which was already mentioned above, can again come to the rescue. How to find an iPhone if you have lost the device with the correct settings for iCloud? In order to try to determine the location of a mobile device, you need to log into the specified system from your computer and click the “Find iPhone” button. This process has already been described in detail above. The location of the gray dot on the map will indicate the coordinates where the phone was last located before it was turned off.

If the owner is familiar with a certain location, then he should remember where and under what conditions the cellular device could have been lost. If the specified geolocation does not tell the owner of the iPhone anything, it means that the gadget was stolen after all, and the obtained data should be reported to the police.

A prerequisite for determining the last location of the phone is the active “Last geoposition” mode. Below is a detailed description of how you can enable this useful feature.

“Last location” mode

The iOS 8 operating system pleasantly surprised mobile device users with the presence of a new mode in the Find My iPhone service, called “Last Location”. How are iPhones found using this application? “Last location” allows gadgets to send the coordinates of their location automatically shortly before the battery is completely discharged.

To enable this function, you need to follow the route: “Settings” - “iCloud” and there activate the “Last geolocation” mode by moving the corresponding slider to the right.

The data transferred by the iPhone will be stored in the iCloud system for 24 hours after the mobile device is turned off.

Conclusion

In order for the search for the missing phone to be completed successfully, the owner of the gadget should carry out preparatory work in advance. It is necessary to install and properly configure special applications for iPhones. This will help determine the location of a stolen or lost mobile device. It is also recommended to protect the device with a password and set the necessary locks. It is better to store important information not on a memory card, but in cloud storage. Once an iPhone has been stolen, its owner should act immediately. If you can determine the geolocation of a stolen device within a few hours after the crime has been committed, then the chances of success are high. Don’t hesitate, because this plays into the hands of criminals.

For users, iPhone is 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 cellular operators. 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 Apple’s official cloud storage, which allows the user to access files online from any device, saves backup copies of data on 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 a backup.

Don't forget about the great Lost Mode feature, which is also activated in iCloud. When you turn it on, your message with the specified phone number is displayed on the screen of a locked gadget - 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 a unique device number 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 the battery;
on the back of 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 the free iCloud subscription and, among other things, 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 the GPS function active).

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 conditions for the operation of 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 access to the 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 your Apple ID information. 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 lost your smartphone in a public place or, worse, 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 your Apple ID account. 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 Apple ID account password.
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 the App Store or on the website at https://icloud.com/find.
Open the My Devices menu from the navigation bar.
Select your mobile phone from the list that appears.
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 a guide is given 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 the same 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!

Probably every owner of iOS devices knows that the latest firmware (starting with iOS 4.2) is equipped with an application that allows you to track the location of the device. The service works for free. The program determines the coordinates of the place where the iPad or iPhone is currently located and transfers them to iCloud.

In contact with

And from there the user can conduct surveillance.

In order to monitor the location of your phone or tablet, you can use an application from the App Store or using the iCloud.com website using .

This is the case if the device was stolen or lost. The user will always be able to determine where his device is currently located, and for security purposes, not only protect it with a PIN code, but also, if necessary, delete all information.

Note that the program can be used by all owners of the latest Apple mobile gadgets, as well as users of computers with OS X Mountain Lion and higher installed.

Undoubtedly, (Find My iPhone) is a very useful and necessary program; it has repeatedly helped out users who lost their device due to theft or simply lost it. But there are still problems. To track a device, it must be in the Internet area. The criminal may know this, but just in case, it’s worth taking some measures to increase the device’s security in advance.

An attacker can:
— turn off the device. In this case, for a jailbroken iPhone or iPad, the PowerGuard tweak can help, which will require a password before shutting down. There is, of course, a possibility, but we can assume that the attacker will not be such an expert in iOS gadgets.
— get a SIM card. In order to remove a SIM card from an iPhone or iPad, you will need a sharp, thin object (a needle, a pin, etc.), and the criminal may not have it at the moment.
— enable airplane mode. Can save the password to unlock the device.
— disable Geolocation. Again, having an unlock password will help and Prohibition on disabling Geolocation.

You can prevent disabling Geolocation and making changes to your iCloud account (so that an attacker cannot delete personal data) as follows:

Open Settings -> Basic –> Restrictions. Click Enable restrictions, create and enter a password to enter the menu Restrictions.

Find and open a subsection Geolocation and click on "Prohibit changes". We do the same in the tab "Accounts"— put a tick next to the option "Prohibit changes".

Having done all of the above, you will greatly increase your chances of quickly finding a lost iOS device using the service (Find My iPhone).

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. The latest generation operating system 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 your 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 credit card data was saved in the settings, 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 a random dial of 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 offline, a message indicating the location will be sent to the specified email address.

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 online for searching for 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. Only law enforcement agencies have such information.

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 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 of iOS, the Apple ID section is missing. The function will be performed activate via, 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 (shine 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:

Apple ID authorization

iMessage

iTunes

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. A message will be sent to the email address specified during registration to confirm that Lost Mode has been activated.

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, he will not be able to disable the iTunes search and restore function. As well as changing Apple ID.

Special applications and programs for finding iPhone

To find a lost device, you can use a 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 listed in the 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 parental control function. The program works with contact cards. The user will be able to continue the fast path to his 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 over a certain period of time.

That is, using the program Find My Friends You can easily find your 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 iPhone serial 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 a 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 you perform any of these actions, the user will lose remote access to the machine. 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 a less drastic measure, you 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 the security question, receive a message by email, or request a data recovery key.

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 a good idea to report your lost iPhone to all social networks. Perhaps you just forgot the device at someone you know.

Call your number

You can find the device by calling a 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.

It is a tragedy for the owner not only because this smartphone is quite expensive, but also for another reason: according to surveys, 70% of owners of Apple gadgets store important information on their mobile devices, both personal and necessary for work and business. If an executive loses his iPhone (along with his notes, emails, and spreadsheets), it can stall his organization for days.

Fortunately, there is a chance to find the gadget. People who have lost their iPhone or iPad should put aside self-flagellation and self-pity “for later” and first take the measures described in this article. Even if these measures fail to locate your lost iPhone, it will be possible to delete the data stored in the device's memory to prevent it from falling into the hands of ordinary people or, much worse, business competitors.

There are several steps to take straightaway after discovering the loss of the iPhone. If the smartphone was found by a respectable person, there is a high probability that these simple measures will yield results:

Call your number. Use the phone of a friend or work colleague for this. If you left the device on the street, the call will attract the attention of a passerby, who will be able to give you the find for a modest reward. If you don’t have a phone at hand from which you can make a call, use the “almighty” Internet - for example, from the website www.iCantFindMyPhone.com you can call any number. If the call does not yield results, proceed to further actions.

Temporarily block your SIM card. It's not even necessary for this personally When you come to a mobile operator’s service office, just call the hotline number and give your passport details. This measure will help protect against a significant minus on your account.

Change passwords via computer. The iPhone stores in its memory all the passwords you specified. If, say, you regularly transfer money via iPhone in your Sberbank-Online Personal Account, then the loss of your device may well put your well-being at risk. If an attacker gains access to your social network page, your reputation will be threatened.

Take preventive measures to avoid being in a situation where all your passwords end up in the hands of an attacker. Use a password manager with one master code, which a person who accidentally finds the gadget will definitely not be able to recognize. Password managers for iPhone (and not only) are discussed.

Think about where you've been recently and where you might have lost your device.. Let's say, if you used a taxi service, you can dial an operator who will connect you personally with your driver. You can ask the driver if he found the iPhone.

Is it possible to find an iPhone by IMEI?

Finding out the IMEI of an Apple device is easy: just dial *#06#, and the number will appear on the screen.

What can't you do if Find My iPhone is turned on?

Having reported the loss of an iPhone to the police, the user will probably be faced with a requirement to turn off “ Lost Mode"so that law enforcement agencies can track the location of the device by IMEI.

If you have a security password set on your smartphone, you can disable “Lost Mode” at the request of the police - the password is quite reliable protection.

Only an Apple pro will be able to reset it - the likelihood that the finder is an advanced user is very small.

If the police ask you to erase your iPhone and remove yourself from your iCloud account, under no circumstances should you comply with their request. The security password will be reset after erasing, which means that the person who discovered the iPhone will will be able to fully use the device. The owner can only hope for the efficiency of the police, who, alas, do not prioritize cases of missing phones.

Applications to help you find your iPhone

Not only the built-in functions of the device, but also third-party applications available in the AppStore for free or for a reasonable fee can help you find a gadget. Such programs include:

Contact If Found

The application makes it possible to create a desktop screensaver with the owner’s contact information. This program is free, but can only be installed on smartphones with iOS version 8 and higher.

iHound.

Program " iHound"-"personal detective" of the iPhone owner. As soon as the lost gadget is connected to the PC, a letter will be sent to the owner’s mailbox indicating the exact address where the device is located. Thus, the owner can prevent the software of his smartphone from being changed by “computer craftsmen.” Also " iHound» periodically records the location of the gadget for preventive purposes - this means that the owner will be able to find out not only Where now the device remains, but also How it got there (for this you will have to use Facebook or Twitter).

Reward If Found

The program will allow you to create a colorful screensaver with the owner’s contact information. As soon as the person who found the iPhone turns on the device, he will see something like this:

The program is paid, but its cost is low - only 75 rubles.

iLocalis

iLocalis is an application only available for jailbroken iPhones (in Cydia). Its functionality is quite wide: for example, using “ iLocalis"You can find out the new number if you have changed the SIM card in your smartphone.

Conclusion

Increasing the security of device owners is a trend that is gaining momentum. It is known that Apple engineers are developing a “zombie mode” project for the iPhone - a gadget in this state will be able to transmit location information to the owner even when turned off. However, for now, users of Apple gadgets have to be content with the “ Find iPhone”, which, alas, does not always bring results.