If turned on, the Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad) feature is now fully integrated
into the iOS 5 operating system. During the initial iOS 5 setup procedure, you had
the option to automatically set up and activate this feature. However, you can
modify this setting at any time by tapping the Settings app, tapping the iCloud
option, and then selecting the Find My iPad option.
With the release of the iOS 5 operating system, the Find My iPhone/iPad feature
was made a free, standalone service, as opposed to being part of Apple’s now
obsolete MobileMe online service. This feature enables you to access the Web from
any device, have Apple locate the exact location of your iPhone or iPad, and then
display its whereabouts.
Even when Find My iPhone/iPad is set up and active, the device must be turned on
(or in Sleep mode but not turned off) and must have a connection to the Internet
via 3G or Wi-Fi for the feature to work. There is an option, however, that will notify
you when the device gets turned back on, if it’s turned off when you initially
attempt to locate it.
After Find My iPhone/iPad is activated, if you misplace the device or it
gets stolen, from any computer or wireless Internet device, you can access
www.icloud.com/find and have the website service quickly pinpoint the location of
your device and display its location on a map. From this website, you can also type
a message that will instantly appear on your missing device’s screen (asking for it
to be returned, for example), or you can force the device to emit a sound (so that
you can find it easier if it’s lost in your office, for example).
It’s also possible to lock the device using a password or wipe out and delete the
contents of your iPhone/iPad remotely, which ensures that your sensitive data
doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. You can always restore your data using your
iCloud or iTunes sync backup files after the unit has been retrieved. A free Find My
iPhone app can also be downloaded from the App Store and used with the Find
My iPhone or Find My iPad feature.
Find My iPhone/iPad isn’t a perfect solution for finding a lost or stolen device, but
it can be useful in certain situations. However, if someone knows your Apple ID and
password, he or she can easily track your exact whereabouts at any time using the
www.icloud.com/find website. Later, we focus more on security measures you can
implement on your iPhone or iPad to help protect your privacy.
WHAT’S NEW With the launch of iCloud, in addition to the Find
My iPhone/iPad feature, Apple launched the Find My Friends app. When given permission,
this optional app (which is available from the App Store) enables others to
track your whereabouts in real time. Although this feature has many practical realworld
applications, to ensure your privacy, it can be turned on or off quickly and at
your discretion. Plus, you can choose exactly who has the ability to “follow” you.
You can also set up the ability for others to follow you for only a specific period of
time. Using the enhanced Restrictions features of iOS 5, parents can keep tabs on
their kids who use an iPhone or iPad, for example, but prevent them from being
able to turn off the Find My Friends feature. Again, for the Find My Friends feature
to work, the iOS device must have access to the Web via a Wi-Fi or 3G connection.
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