Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Piggie

macrumors G3
Original poster
Feb 23, 2010
9,288
4,321
Something that seems rather strange to me.

A number of past mobile devices I have owned have allowed the user the option of having some text come up on the lock/startup screen in the case of loss.

It really seems such a simple and logical good idea, I can't understand why Apple don't offer this?

You know, so you can type something like:

==============================

This device belongs to Joe Reed
Home Tel: 0811 978 8711
Mobile Tel: 09912 21121

If found please contact for reward

=============================

That comes up on your home screen.

So that in the event of misplacing your device and some honest person picks it up, at least they will be able to contact you quickly.

In the past we had to stick bits of paper with tape to things, but as I said, part mobile devices have allowed the user to enter in some text to be displayed on the startup/lock/boot screen.

Wonder why Apple don't allow this pretty obvious option?
 
I jailbroke it and edit the English strings file.

Now why did I think you were going to say that !!!!!

Again, it does seem odd that Apple did not give users the option of a popup window on the lock screen to type in such details.

If I left my iPad somewhere, the person who picked it up now would not have a clue who it belonged to.

And I suspect most people are in the same position.
 
Why don't you just add that text to your Lock Screen Background Image using a graphics editor?
No need to Jailbreak, and it will show every time your iPad goes into lock mode.
 
isn't that the same idea the MobileMe does, it allows you to post a screen message over the lock bar, if you loose it.

You can also wipe it or just locate it.

I thought that was now free in ios 4.2 Find my iphone works for ipads.
 
Why don't you just add that text to your Lock Screen Background Image using a graphics editor?
No need to Jailbreak, and it will show every time your iPad goes into lock mode.

Yeah, that was the idea I had actually.

I may do that.

Better to be safe than sorry.
 
It really seems such a simple and logical good idea, I can't understand why Apple don't offer this?

Apple does offer this, it just charge you for it (MobileME)

images
 
There was an app for this, at least for the iPhone. I don't remember what it was called, but you type in a message and it turns it into a wallpaper that you can use for your lockscreen.
 
Just download the find my iPhone app in the app store. You login with your iTunes ID and you can remote wipe, lock, or send a message to the screen.


It's pretty cool since you can locate any iOS products that have the app installed on it with the same iTunes ID.
 
I got 2 3GS, 2 iP4 and 1 iPad all on my MobileME account, I can sent message to all of them Not sure what are u talking about.

He means it's FREE on those devices. On older devices like iPhone 3G/3GS you cannot create a FREE mobileMe account.
 
He means it's FREE on those devices. On older devices like iPhone 3G/3GS you cannot create a FREE mobileMe account.

He should've quoted the guy who said that it was free and no me that said it was paid, but if you understood him them I guess it is my loss :cool:
 
The simple, easy, and free method without jailbreaking your device would be to simply create a wallpaper that has the text you want displayed on it and then set it as your lock screen.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.