For those of you not on my Facebook page, this may benefit you as well--please read if applicable to your situation: Thanks for staying tuned to "Straight Shootin'" with Chris
Hello again friends. I hope you will all actually read this as it is quite important. There are many people out there everyday that are losing their iOS Devices (hitherto referring to iPhone, iPod touch and iPad), and having no luck retrieving them. The simple fact is that there is not a method of tracking set up via Apple other than the "Find my iPhone" App. This is a FREE App that any of you can download at anytime to any of the aforementioned devices. That's not the only thing though. If you only own one iOS Device, you'll need to use your computer to track it in the event it is stolen. This is done through the FREE service I previously mentioned called iCloud (available for PC and Mac current operating systems). Follow these instructions below for simple setup.
Step 1: Get the most Current Version of iTunes on your Mac or PC Computer (below screenshots on a mac, PC menu system may vary slightly)
A. Under your iTunes menu, click the "Check for Updates" button and follow onscreen instructions to make sure you get the most current version of iTunes.
Menu layout may vary on PC but info is the same
A pop up should come up if an update is needed, select the option to update
Step 2: Plug in your iOS Device and select it in iTunes menu
When plugging in your device, iTunes should recognize it and show it in the lefthand menu
Note where it showed up under "Devices" it lists whichever device is plugged in--in my case "Chris Byers' iPhone
After clicking on your device, to the right, this menu should appear
Step 3: Backup and Sync your device---THEN choose "Check for Updates" to update to current version of operating system
IT is very important if you are going from an older operating system to the iOS 5 that you first sync and backup your device. To install iOS 5, your device will restore from factory settings and go through a new menu system initially--then you will restore it FROM the iTunes backup that you saved prior to updating.This is not as hard as it sounds:
Choosing "Sync" will automatically do a backup to itunes and prepare you for the next step: the Update
After you sync and backup your device, click on the "Check for Updates" Button (shown above) and let it begin the update
*NOTE* THe update time will be based on your computer's power, internet connection speed, and the iTunes servers, so be patient. It may take an hour or more...or be as quick as 15-30 minutes.
Step 4: Follow onscreen instructions on your device to set up your iCloud account and iOS 5 settings. Also, restore the device from your iTunes backup so you don't lose contacts and other information.
The backup you performed earlier will come into play here, as the option to restore from an iTunes backup will show up. This is what you will select, and it should restore all of your apps, contacts and settings. You may lose the music that was currently synced to the device--in this case---sync it back to the device and all will be well. *NOTE* Apps, music, movies, etc... purchased from iTunes will always be yours, and can always be redownloaded for FREE after initial purchase. If your favorite app is not showing up, DO NOT panic. Simply find it in the APP store on your device and re-download it at no charge to you. Piece of cake :)
This is the screen to pay attention to. Using your Apple ID (what you log into iTunes and download Apps with), set up your iCloud account. Choose the option for using iCloud as you will need it for the "find my iPhone" app
Step 5: During setup, opt to install the Find my iphone and Find my Friends Apps with iCloud setup. (Alternatively) visit the App store on your device and download the "Find my iphone" App
This option should appear during setup of the new iOS
Step 6: Go to "Settings" --> "iCloud" on your device, and make sure the "Find my iPhone" option is switched to the "ON" position
Find my iPhone may also appear as a line item in the "Mail, contacts, and calendars" option in your "settings" menu
You are almost finshed!!!
Step 7: Visit http://www.icloud.comOnce here, log in with your same Apple ID that you used to setup iCloud on your device. This should open your iCloud dashboard. Click the 'Find my iPhone" icon to see a map with locations for all of your iOS devices that have activated "Find my iPhone"
Log In
iCloud Dashboard screen
The "Find my Iphone" Map--also includes Find my Mac if applicable
Selecting your device gives you 3 options. Locking the device is a great option initially--hold off on wiping it until you are sure it was stolen and unobtainable--send a message or play a sound if you misplaced it in your current location to hear it play an obnoxiously loud noise that makes it easy to find
CONGRATULATIONS: YOu have now set up "Find my iPhone" on your device and your computer. Note: To set up iCloud on computer, minimum system requirements must be met and can be found here: http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/pc.html
Select "MAC" for Mac users
Final thoughts: THough it may seem complicated at first, having the most current operating system (iOS 5) on your devices; as well as iCloud is important in keeping your devices relevant and current. A device without "Find my iPhone" that is lost cannot be easily tracked. You must have "Find my iPhone' active on your Devices and computer to make tracking simplest. Alternatively, if you have multiple devices (ipad and iphone) for example, and you lose one of them, you can use the other to track the first.
Hope this is helpful. Please leave comments with any issue or difficulties you have and I will do my best to respond with helpful solutions. Protect that investment....and also explore all the cool features of iOS 5 and iCloud!
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