Friend found an iPad

[bruinsrme]

My friend found an iPad in a parking lot of a shopping mall.
He powered it up and it said connect to iTunes.

Tomorrow we are going to load iOS 5 it and turn on find my iPad.

Will the find my program automatically send the owner information to the iPad so we can then contact them?

 

[dotme]

Probably not. Was it brand new in the box? The fact that it asked to be connected to iTunes may mean that the owner remote-wiped it. I'll bet they're bummed. Full credit to you for trying to find the owner. If it was unboxed, it's possible that Apple might be able to help locate the owner but I doubt they would be willing to do so. Maybe an ad in Craigslist?

 

[bruinsrme]

I have actually helped several people find the rightful owners of iPod touches and an iPhone.

The most difficult thing is getting people to believe you are trying to return the device to them, in an honest manner.

 

[thewitt]

If its a 3G model, the carrier can tell you the owner based on the ID number on the SIM card. The device has been wiped, that's why it's asking for iTunes.

 

[bruinsrme]

If its a 3G model, the carrier can tell you the owner based on the ID number on the SIM card. The device has been wiped, that's why it's asking for iTunes.

Thank you checking to see

 

[Mojo1]

Kudos For Trying To Do The Right Thing!

I would contact Apple through Applecare. Apple should have the iPad registration info and an Applecare rep can route you to the correct department.

I wouldn't assume that Apple is unwilling to assist you in your attempts to reunite the iPad with its rightful owner...

 

[RetepNamenots]

The serial number is usually tied to the owner's AppleID, so you can find them.

 

[bruinsrme]

Thank you
My friend posted he had found the iPad on Craigslist.

Hopefully we can find the rightful owner.

 

[cookiesnfooty]

Don't get duped by fake owner claims and loading ios5 and find my iphone/ipad would mean you'd be finding it not the owner.

 

[Chimaera]

I'd say you have two options:

1) Give Apple a shout, if the owner registered the device they might be able to get in touch with the rightful owner. That sort of thing is good PR so you might find Apple will throw you a bone for your trouble.

2) Take it to the local police station. Here in the UK I believe the rightful owner has a certain period of time to collect and then you can claim as your own. Not sure what the local rules are where you are.

I would avoid any form of public "Did you loose an iPad? I found one, call me if its yours!" type adverts as you will get nothing but chancers wanting to take it off your hands.

 

[swordfish5736]

Posting on Craigslist will just get a bunch of emails with people claiming it to be there's. How will you know the real owner?

If you wipe the device it'll disable find my iPhone/iPad as others have said.

Does it have any information on it or is it already wiped?

 

[Menel]

I'd say you have two options:

1) Give Apple a shout, if the owner registered the device they might be able to get in touch with the rightful owner. That sort of thing is good PR so you might find Apple will throw you a bone for your trouble.

2) Take it to the local police station. Here in the UK I believe the rightful owner has a certain period of time to collect and then you can claim as your own. Not sure what the local rules are where you are.

I would avoid any form of public "Did you loose an iPad? I found one, call me if its yours!" type adverts as you will get nothing but chancers wanting to take it off your hands.

CONTACT AN APPLE STORE.

1. Apple cannot provide the original owners info, but they *may* take it, and contact the owner, and let them pick it up in the store.

2. Police would have no way to find the original owner. No owner who lost it would expect anyone to return it to the police.

 

[jacksonkeller]

About a year ago I was changing flights at Houston Intercontinental airport. The gate for my flight to Vegas was crowded, so I sat down in an empty gate who's plane had just departed. I found an iPhone just as it was time for me to board my flight, so I turned the phone off and got on the plane. Turned it back on the next morning and there was a text from then owner. Turns out that empty gate's flight was to Brazil. After a couple more texts and a phone call, I had the owners address. A quick trip to the casino's business center and the phone was on it's way home. Owner mailed me a C note as a reward. Made me feel pretty good about my self that I did the right thing. So much so I went to the St Judes Childrens cancer hospitals website and donated the $100 bucks. Now I'm not overly religious, but I do think what comes around goes around.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

I thought this was going to be another one of those "I found an iPad, how do I disable the pass code" threads haha.

I do think what comes around goes around.

A few months ago I witnessed a hit and run in my apartment parking garage. I left a note on the damaged car with the other cars plate number and my phone number. The owner of the damaged car called and I gave her a better description of the driver and his car.

A few months later my girlfriend accidentally left a necklace with a lot of sentimental value out by our pool. I put up signs to help her find it. I got a call from the woman who's car had been hit. She had found the necklace.

I learned first hand that good deeds are rewarded. Just last week I found a watch at work and immediately turned it in.

Thank you to the OP from me, and anyone else who has lost something, for doing the right thing. You are more honest than most

 

[mushed]

It makes me so happy to see your honesty, I hope you find the owner!

My iPhone was stolen not so long ago (I understand there is a difference between lost and stolen) but in the same situations if I knew it belonged to someone else, I'd hand it in/ try my best to return it to its rightful owner. It's just a nice thing to see!