Kids:
A few hours ago, I landed in Los Angeles, turned on my phone, and confirmed what you already know. Sony Pictures Television is replacing me as showrunner on Community, with two seasoned fellows that I’m sure are quite nice - actually, I have it on good authority they’re quite nice, because…
Find My iPhone
Too many times I’ve had my friends complain about losing or not being able to find their iPhones. Most of the time it the morning after a night out and they’ve either left their phone at a bar, at someone else’s apartment or, in the worst scenario, stolen.
Did you know that your iPhone (and iPad and Mac) have a feature built in to the operating system and all you have to do is switch it on. Yes, you’re all idiots if you don’t turn it on.
1. If you’ve recently bought an iPhone or upgraded to iOS 5, I’m sure you’re aware of iCloud. Please turn on iCloud and use some of the features and settings included with it. Here’s a quick guide on how to set up iCloud. Sign in with your Apple ID, the same one you use to purchase music and apps on iTunes and the App Store.
If you’re not sure if you turned on iCloud when you first set up your phone, tap the Settings icon on the Home screen and select iCloud.
2. At the bottom of the iCloud settings, toggle on Find My iPhone. That’s it, you’re all set.
If you ever are in a situation where you can’t find your iPhone, even in your own home, or you fear that someone stole it, it’s easy to track it.
To track your iPhone, go to iCloud.com. Sign in again with the same Apple ID that you signed in with on your phone in the iCloud settings.
Click on Find My iPhone and you’ll see a map with all your Apple devices with iCloud listed on the left-hand side.
Once you select your iPhone (or any device), you’re able to choose from a few options:
Play a sound or message will play a loud sonar-type noise from your iPhone so that you can find it in your couch or at a bar. You can also type in a personalized message, letting anyone who found your phone that you’re on your way to pick it up or to call you at another number to arrange pickup.
If you fear that someone may have your iPhone and you don’t want them to have access to your phone, look at your texts, etc., you can lock your phone remotely. And if you’re fairly certain that someone stole your phone, you can remotely wipe it and all of your settings, files and apps will be erased and the phone will be restored to factory settings. Only use the remote wipe option as a last option (it’s OK if you find it later, you have a backup of your iPhone on iCloud or your computer.)
What about if my phone battery has completely run out or it’s not on? Your device will send you an email as soon as it makes an Internet connection. In the message you’ll be able to click a link to take you to a map of where your device was last located.
Find My iPhone is an invaluable and easy way to locate your phone if you ever lose it or it is stolen. Make sure you’re using it, and iCloud, now. If you have any questions, let me know. Go set it up.
