All iPads How do you secure your iPad in public to prevent misuse after theft?

[Mity]

Suppose I take my iPad with me to the gym to watch movies while on the treadmill and someone steals my iPad. Is there some way to prevent access to my email, messages and other sensitive information? Can you put the iPad in some type of safe mode while watching content?

I know that I can erase the iPad after someone steals it but I would need access to my iPhone and I believe the iPad would need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular for it to be locked, correct?

 

[Apple_Robert]

make each app secure by requiring Face ID etc before person can get access to the app. You can long press on an app to bring up the menu or go into settings

 

[estabya]

You could use guided access mode which allows you to require a passcode or FaceID to leave the current app. It’s under accessibility settings.

 

[Mity]

If I setup the iPad for a child using a second/dummy AppleID and then I install Netflix and HBO Max on it, will the content that I can access in my adult Netflix/HBO accounts still allow me to watch "normal" content? Or will it block content rated for adults?

 

[LibbyLA]

If you have to use a code, Face ID, or Touch ID to even open the iPad, won’t that prevent most thieves from accessing your iPad?

 

[Mity]

If you have to use a code, Face ID, or Touch ID to even open the iPad, won’t that prevent most thieves from accessing your iPad?

If you're on a treadmill and watching a movie and don't have guided access setup, someone can snatch your device and run off and later access your notes and mail. FaceID/TouchID/passcode will not be required to access any other app unless you deliberately select that app to require it. With guided access, the iPad will stay in the current app (ex: Netflix, Music, etc.). You have to use FaceID/TouchID/passcode to exit guided access.

This can still happen with your phone but when the device (phone or tablet) is out of your hands, the probability of theft increases.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yeah, just set up your ipad with a lock feature using face ID or a passcode. Problem solved. Then you can use “find my ipad” and track it down. Seriously, what are the chances of someone actually running up to you at the gym and grabbing your iPad while your using it??? 😂

 

[The Game 161]

Let’s face it this would never happen in a gym

 

[joeblow7777]

If you're on a treadmill and watching a movie and don't have guided access setup, someone can snatch your device and run off and later access your notes and mail. FaceID/TouchID/passcode will not be required to access any other app unless you deliberately select that app to require it. With guided access, the iPad will stay in the current app (ex: Netflix, Music, etc.). You have to use FaceID/TouchID/passcode to exit guided access.

This can still happen with your phone but when the device (phone or tablet) is out of your hands, the probability of theft increases.

Better safe than sorry I suppose, but is this something that's likely to happen? I mean, someone coming into a gym (that they probably had to buy a membership to access, so they'll be known, and probably intend to return there), and snatching your ipad while you're looking right at it, and then just bolting?

In any case, a low tech option could be to use a case which a lanyard can be attached to, and having the iPad strapped to your wrist while you're on the treadmill.

 

[Mity]

Yeah, just set up your ipad with a lock feature using face ID or a passcode. Problem solved. Then you can use “find my ipad” and track it down. Seriously, what are the chances of someone actually running up to you at the gym and grabbing your iPad while your using it??? 😂

Let’s face it this would never happen in a gym

Yah, I bet this stuff never happens. I bet people watching you and waiting for you to unlock your device to access your bank accounts or notes app is super rare. /s


Phone Snatching - Things to Know

For who's got the luxury of not being familiar with it - Phone Snatching is about stealing your smartphone, unlocked, from your hands while walking around or waiting for public transport. The next thing which generally happens is all bank accounts get emptied.

‘They rob you visibly, with no repercussions’ – the unstoppable rise of phone theft

Snatch thefts of mobile phones soared by 150% in the last year...
...some thieves do “shoulder-hanging”, where they watch you unlock the phone and then snatch it

Cellphones being stolen while unlocked being used to steal money
Phone Snatching on London’s Streets

Phone snatching is not just about snatching a phone, it's about getting access to banking apps and passwords. The likelihood only increases when you're at the gym without the device in your hand, which makes it easier to snatch. That's the whole point of Guided Access or app-specific locking!!! Hence the recommendations provided above.

 

[The Game 161]

Makes no sense

If you have an iPad you would have Face ID lock apps like notes and bank apps

People also wouldn’t be stupid enough to steal an iPad in a gym. Not when all people who enter a gym would have their details already/ have cameras to enter or leave the building. Nobody is quick enough to steal something like this when you are using it.

This is just all impossible

 

[Mity]

Makes no sense

If you have an iPad you would have Face ID lock apps like notes and bank apps

People also wouldn’t be stupid enough to steal an iPad in a gym. Not when all people who enter a gym would have their details already/ have cameras to enter or leave the building. Nobody is quick enough to steal something like this when you are using it.

This is just all impossible

I don't think you've really taken the time to read above. Because if you did, then you'd see that one of the solutions pointed out above was to lock each individual app using FaceID/TouchID, including apps that you wouldn't normally think to secure like Notes and Mail, which may contain sensitive information.

And to suggest that people don't steal things at the gym is simply is false.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/los-angeles-gym-locker-theft-studio-city-lapd/3785832/

Again, if it can happen when you have your device in your hands, then it can most certainly happen when the device is out of your hands. That's obvious for most people.

And your comments really are not helpful. Guided Access is what I was looking for so I've found the solution that works for me. If you don't need it, no problem.

 

[Wando64]

If you're on a treadmill and watching a movie and don't have guided access setup, someone can snatch your device and run off and later access your notes and mail. FaceID/TouchID/passcode will not be required to access any other app unless you deliberately select that app to require it. With guided access, the iPad will stay in the current app (ex: Netflix, Music, etc.). You have to use FaceID/TouchID/passcode to exit guided access.

This can still happen with your phone but when the device (phone or tablet) is out of your hands, the probability of theft increases.

Securing apps with Face ID is your best option, second only to frequenting a better gym.

 

[Mity]

Securing apps with Face ID is your best option, second only to frequenting a better gym.

I already have TouchID on my mini and that does NOT solve my problem, as I've stated multiple times. I don't want so lock every single app. Guided Access solves this problem.

 

[vanilla_prison]

If you’re honestly this worried about the specific scenario of someone running up to you in the gym and stealing your iPad, maybe don’t take it to the gym, then? There’s some kind of risk in literally every aspect of life. You can’t mitigate every possible risk, and you can’t live in fear of everything. My advice is to either get over your slightly possible but likely irrational fear and just bring it while keeping an eye on it, or don’t bring it at all and there’s no issue. This doesn’t need a forum discussion, honestly.

 

[The Game 161]

I don't think you've really taken the time to read above. Because if you did, then you'd see that one of the solutions pointed out above was to lock each individual app using FaceID/TouchID, including apps that you wouldn't normally think to secure like Notes and Mail, which may contain sensitive information.

And to suggest that people don't steal things at the gym is simply is false.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/los-angeles-gym-locker-theft-studio-city-lapd/3785832/

Again, if it can happen when you have your device in your hands, then it can most certainly happen when the device is out of your hands. That's obvious for most people.

And your comments really are not helpful. Guided Access is what I was looking for so I've found the solution that works for me. If you don't need it, no problem.

You’ve pointed to issues regarding lockers not in front of everybody. That’s a big difference.

Theft can happen but certainly not in this specific circumstance

Pretty sure anybody who knows their phone would lock apps that need to be kept private

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yah, I bet this stuff never happens. I bet people watching you and waiting for you to unlock your device to access your bank accounts or notes app is super rare. /s


Phone Snatching - Things to Know


‘They rob you visibly, with no repercussions’ – the unstoppable rise of phone theft


Cellphones being stolen while unlocked being used to steal money
Phone Snatching on London’s Streets

Phone snatching is not just about snatching a phone, it's about getting access to banking apps and passwords. The likelihood only increases when you're at the gym without the device in your hand, which makes it easier to snatch. That's the whole point of Guided Access or app-specific locking!!! Hence the recommendations provided above.

Dude, you sound paranoid. I live in NYC, and I have never had the irrational fear of someone sneaking up behind me at the gym waiting for me to open my ipad so they can snatch it and run out of the gym to have access to all my bank info. 😂 Do i take precautions? Sure. But i don’t live in fear of stuff that is never gonna happen. Plus you can remotely lock your ipad from your iphone. This whole debate is kinda silly

 

[Mity]

If you’re honestly this worried about the specific scenario of someone running up to you in the gym and stealing your iPad, maybe don’t take it to the gym, then? There’s some kind of risk in literally every aspect of life. You can’t mitigate every possible risk, and you can’t live in fear of everything. My advice is to either get over your slightly possible but likely irrational fear and just bring it while keeping an eye on it, or don’t bring it at all and there’s no issue. This doesn’t need a forum discussion, honestly.

Dude, you sound paranoid. I live in NYC, and I have never had the irrational fear of someone sneaking up behind me at the gym waiting for me to open my ipad so they can snatch it and run out of the gym to have access to all my bank info. 😂 Do i take precautions? Sure. But i don’t live in fear of stuff that is never gonna happen. Plus you can remotely lock your ipad from your iphone. This whole debate is kinda silly

I agree that this debate is silly but I didn't start the debate - I asked a question and the first two replies provided the answers. The fact that Guided Access exists should tell you that Apple has at least thought about unauthorized access. If you don't need it, then don't use it.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I hear ya. I just never worried about someone grabbing my iPad while it was still open. Then again I'm 6'4" tall and kinda scary looking. 😆 I've already got the passcode/face ID protection set up so that after 5 minutes of not using the iPad, it locks & I have to use face ID or enter a passcode to open it. So the thought of theft never crosses my mind. And if I ever lost my iPad, I can track it on my iphone. But that has never happened.