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Using iCloud to Locate and Secure Your Devices

  • Jul 3, 2013
In this lesson, you learn how to use iCloud to locate missing devices and to protect their data.
This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Sams Teach Yourself iCloud in 10 Minutes, 2nd EditionSams Teach Yourself iCloud in 10 Minutes, 2nd Edition

Learn More Buy

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Sams Teach Yourself iCloud in 10 Minutes, 2nd EditionSams Teach Yourself iCloud in 10 Minutes, 2nd Edition

Learn More Buy

Using iCloud to Find Devices

iOS devices are mobile; they can easily go anywhere because they are small and lightweight. They are also powerful and can store all kinds of sensitive data, from contacts to personal information you use for financial activity and other sensitive content. These two factors make the devices extremely useful. However, this also means that if you lose control of a device, bad things can happen. At worst, someone could compromise your data to steal your identity or take money from you.

Laptop computers present a similar risk. Although not quite as mobile as an iOS device, laptops can also become separated from their owners in a number of ways, from simply being misplaced to getting stolen.

iCloud includes the Find My Device application, where Device can be an iPad, iPod, iPhone, or Mac. This feature enables you to locate a device remotely. When the device is located, you can lock it, or if you feel you have lost control of it, you can erase its memory.

To use this feature, you must first enable it on each device. After it’s enabled, you can locate and secure devices through your iCloud website.

NOTE: No Find My PC

You might have noticed that I did not mention a Windows PC on the list of devices you can find via iCloud. This feature only supports Apple devices; Windows PCs are not supported. Therefore, you’ll need to find some other way to accomplish these tasks for your Windows PCs. If you use a mobile Windows PC, perform a web search to preyproject.com options that may be useful for you (one example is at www.preyproject.com).

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Last Update: November 17, 2020