How to trace an iPad

[Bobabbey]

Hi,
A girl at a boarding school where I work has had her iPad lost/stolen.

Is this traceable? Also, my concern is that if one of the other pupils has got it and wipes it, can it still be traced when they connect to iTunes?

Your help will be much appreciated.

 

[OllyW]

You can if you've already set up Find My iPad.

 

[AdrianK]

Yeah, if she had 'find my iPad' set up already, then it can be traced to an approximate location. Although, as you said, it might have been stolen by a fellow pupil, it's likely that FMi would confirm that it's in the building somewhere.

However, if the someone finds the iPod and doesn't intend to hand it over they just need to flip a switch in settings to disable FMi or restore in iTunes.

 

[Bobabbey]

Yeah, if she had 'find my iPad' set up already, then it can be traced to an approximate location. Although, as you said, it might have been stolen by a fellow pupil, it's likely that FMi would confirm that it's in the building somewhere.

However, if the someone finds the iPod and doesn't intend to hand it over they just need to flip a switch in settings to disable FMi or restore in iTunes.

So unfortunately it is gone, there are a number of iPads on campus and I don't know how this one could be distinguished from the rest.
Apple don't seem to be able to help.

Thanks for the prompt replies.

 

[bokdol]

there is one other way but it would involve looking at the back of the ipads. every one has a serial number on it. and if she has her box or receipt it will have the serial number.

 

[Bobabbey]

there is one other way but it would involve looking at the back of the ipads. every one has a serial number on it. and if she has her box or receipt it will have the serial number.

Might be slightly impractical but would solve any accusation.

 

[blevins321]

So unfortunately it is gone, there are a number of iPads on campus and I don't know how this one could be distinguished from the rest.
Apple don't seem to be able to help.

Thanks for the prompt replies.

You can have FMi set off an alarm on the iPad. That way if you have any suspects you'll be able to hear it.

 

[qpid]

This is why you passcode lock you iPad and setup Find my iPad at a minimum. A passcode would keep it from being accessed to disable Fmi.

 

[Blakjack]

Apple don't seem to be able to help.

Thanks for the prompt replies.

Apple helped her before she even decided to buy an iPad by creating the Find My iPhone App.

I had to force my little sister to take the time to set hers up. This is a prime example why you should right here.

I come across a lot of people who dont even know about the app and service. Apple should make this app a stock app.

 

[logandzwon]

Apple helped her before she even decided to buy an iPad by creating the Find My iPhone App.

I had to force my little sister to take the time to set hers up. This is a prime example why you should right here.

I come across a lot of people who dont even know about the app and service. Apple should make this app a stock app.

the feature is stock. The app is just for actually tracking the lost device.

 

[bld33]

From my understanding, it seems like Find My iPad has a fatal flaw in the fact that you can only get location information if you are connected to wifi or 3g. Am I wrong on this? If I am correct I think that the odds of the service actually being helpful have diminished greatly.

 

[AdrianK]

From my understanding, it seems like Find My iPad has a fatal flaw in the fact that you can only get location information if you are connected to wifi or 3g. Am I wrong on this? If I am correct I think that the odds of the service actually being helpful have diminished greatly.

Of course you need a data connection to connect to a remote device, how else are you meant to communicate with it?

If it's a 3G model I assume it would use GPS, but failing that 3G and WiFi are obviously the only options.

 

[M-5]

I have an iPad 2 Wifi version, and locating the device on Find My iPhone is really accurate considering it doesn't use GPS. Its pretty amazing actually considering how large the general area of triangulation was on my original iPhone in comparison.

 

[Bobabbey]

But what about the point that if someone has it and has wiped it, can we still trace it, will the fmi still work as the serial is still the same (I assume you can't change as that would be daft)?

 

[AdrianK]

But what about the point that if someone has it and has wiped it, can we still trace it, will the fmi still work as the serial is still the same (I assume you can't change as that would be daft)?

No, it definitely wont, unfortunately.

 

[Bobabbey]

No, it definitely wont, unfortunately.

Oh, looks like it will be an insurance claim

Will have to make sure all these devices are locked in future, I know it is nit the be all and can be hacked with something called DFU but sounds like a lot of effort.

Thanks for your help and education.

 

[AdrianK]

Oh, looks like it will be an insurance claim

Will have to make sure all these devices are locked in future, I know it is nit the be all and can be hacked with something called DFU but sounds like a lot of effort.

Thanks for your help and education.

If you're advising people about this, it's worth noting that they don't have to set a system wide passcode; a password can be applied to the FMi toggle. There's a guide on that here.

I wouldn't under estimate DFU; in order to wipe the device all that's required is a quick button combination and restore in iTunes.

 

[logandzwon]

yes, if you know what your doing you can clear FMI pretty easily. Lucky, most thiefs are not masterminds with the life long goal of stealing your ipad. It's an opportunity thing.