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Other Require password to power off

D

D35P3R4T0

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 17, 2008
59
2
My iphone is password protected and I have installed the “Find my iphone” app incase I ever misplace my phone or it gets stolen. but I just found out that someone could turn off my iphone without ever entering the password, thus rendering “Find my iphone” useless…

Is there anyway to require the password to my phone before it can be turned off?
 
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There isn't but it wouldn't matter much anyway. All they'd have to do is get a flashlight app and leave it on and watch as the battery drops like a rock, then it'll have no choice but to turn off.
 
DESNOS said:
There isn't but it wouldn't matter much anyway. All they'd have to do is get a flashlight app and leave it on and watch as the battery drops like a rock, then it'll have no choice but to turn off.
Click to expand...

But if the phone were passcode protected, they wouldn't be able to do so -- extending the time you would be able to track the phone for.
 
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DESNOS said:
There isn't but it wouldn't matter much anyway. All they'd have to do is get a flashlight app and leave it on and watch as the battery drops like a rock, then it'll have no choice but to turn off.
Click to expand...

yeah but how could they download an app on my phone if it is password protected?

I just want to have enough time to get back to my house or computer to be able to see its location and send a message via me.com to the "find my iphone" app.

seems to be somewhat of a security flaw...
 
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Alex-H said:
But if the phone were passcode protected, they wouldn't be able to do so -- extending the time you would be able to track the phone for.
Click to expand...

LOL oh yah. Good point. :D I suppose this feature is fairly important. It always did seem odd to me that you could turn the device off without even unlocking it.
 
its a good idea, although anyone who wanted to keep (steal) it could just put it in DFU mode
 
D35P3R4T0 said:
My iphone is password protected and I have installed the “Find my iphone” app incase I ever misplace my phone or it gets stolen. but I just found out that someone could turn off my iphone without ever entering the password, thus rendering “Find my iphone” useless…

Is there anyway to require the password to my phone before it can be turned off?
Click to expand...

That's actually a good point that I've never thought of before. And actually, now that you've brought it to my attention, it seems like a fairly obvious omission. Send some feedback to Apple. Maybe they'll include it in a future update.
 
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Even if normal power off could be disabled by a password, I don't think you could do the same for the hard reset method (holding down power+home for several seconds) without completely compromising its purpose.
 
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APlotdevice said:
Or just perform a hard reset.
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ya but I dont think everybody who kidnaps an iphone is tech savvy enough to know how to hard reset or put the phone in DFU mode. (I know its easy to google "how to")

I just want a fighting chance to locate it and send a message to return it...

basically what I learned from all of this is, "Find my iPhone" is basically useless.
 
if you are Jailbroken, there is an app, iGotYa that can disable the power button at the PIN screen and also takes a picture and emails them to a specified email address if the PIN is entered incorrectly... I don't remember if there is a cost
 
OP, I'm glad I'm not the only one fancying this idea. I first suggested it last year but was, unfortunately, regarded by many as useless and unnecessary. Obviously, it's not. And I did send a feedback to Apple too. Still waiting.
 
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D35P3R4T0 said:
ya but I dont think everybody who kidnaps an iphone is tech savvy enough to know how to hard reset or put the phone in DFU mode. (I know its easy to google "how to")

I just want a fighting chance to locate it and send a message to return it...

basically what I learned from all of this is, "Find my iPhone" is basically useless.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say it's useless. A person generally isn't going to steal a phone and then not either use it themselves or sell it to someone who intends to use it. If they try to sell it at a pawn shop, then the people there will, besides giving the serial number to a police to see whether it has been reported stolen (SO REMEMBER TO WRITE THAT # DOWN!), turn it on to make sure that it works.
 
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Alex-H said:
Did you not read the OP and the reasons outlined supporting the inclusion of such a feature?
Click to expand...

I did, and I still stand by my post. How about a fingerprint reader so only you can access the phone? Or maybe an independently powered GPS chip so you can track it at all times?
 
Interstella5555 said:
I did, and I still stand by my post. How about a fingerprint reader so only you can access the phone? Or maybe an independently powered GPS chip so you can track it at all times?
Click to expand...

That's a much greater level of complexity than a simple passcode request when powering down, which would extend the amount of time the phone could be tracked for. The OP is relating to something simple that could be addressed via a software update, not a hardware refresh =/
 
APlotdevice said:
I wouldn't say it's useless. A person generally isn't going to steal a phone and then not either use it themselves or sell it to someone who intends to use it. If they try to sell it at a pawn shop, then the people there will, besides giving the serial number to a police to see whether it has been reported stolen (SO REMEMBER TO WRITE THAT # DOWN!), turn it on to make sure that it works.
Click to expand...

APlotdevice, Thanks for that tip I will definately write that number down!
 
D35P3R4T0 said:
ya but I dont think everybody who kidnaps an iphone is tech savvy enough to know how to hard reset or put the phone in DFU mode. (I know its easy to google "how to")

I just want a fighting chance to locate it and send a message to return it...

basically what I learned from all of this is, "Find my iPhone" is basically useless.
Click to expand...

Maybe they also don't know about find my iphone and will be too stupid to turn it off...
 
D35P3R4T0 said:
My iphone is password protected and I have installed the “Find my iphone” app incase I ever misplace my phone or it gets stolen. but I just found out that someone could turn off my iphone without ever entering the password, thus rendering “Find my iphone” useless…

Is there anyway to require the password to my phone before it can be turned off?
Click to expand...

nope
 
I encourage everyone who sees this thread to send feedback to apple becuse this is an awesome idea.
 
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