If someone steals your iPad or if you misplace it in a restaurant or office, you can track it down using Apple’s free “Find My iPad” service.
The basic idea is that you register your iPad (and iPhone or iPod too!) using a free Apple ID. Then if you lose your iPad, you can use any computer to locate your device on a map or send a message to its screen. If you have sensitive data that you’re worried might get into the wrong hands, you can send a command to “wipe” all data from your iPad! And if you’ve just lost your iPad among your couch cushions, you can get the iPad to play a sound for two minutes—even if it has been muted.
Before you can track down an iPad, you must first associate it with a MobileMe account. (If you already have an Apple ID from buying music on iTunes or using the FaceTime app, you can use that email address and password for your MobileMe account.) Then turn on the tracking feature on your iPad by following these steps:
From the Home screen, tap Settings. The Settings screen appears.
Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars. The Mail, Contacts, Calendars settings screen appears.
Tap Add Account. The Add Account screen appears.
Tap MobileMe. A MobileMe window appears. Enter your current Apple ID and password or tap Create Free Apple ID if you don’t have one yet, and then follow the instructions to set up your MobileMe account.
Check your email and look for a message from Apple asking you to verify your MobileMe account by clicking on a verification link. After you click the link, you will be able to access your MobileMe account by visiting http://www.me.com/.
From the Home screen, tap Settings, tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and then tap your MobileMe account. A MobileMe account window appears, as shown in Figure 30-5.
Tap the Find My iPad on/off switch to ON. Your iPad will now broadcast its location using its cellular or Wi-Fi Internet connection.
When the Find My iPad switch is set to ON, you can locate your iPad on a map by following these steps:
Visit http://www.me.com/ and sign in using your MobileMe account and password. MobileMe displays a list of one or more iPad, iPhone, or iPod devices you have configured to broadcast its location.
Tap on the name of the device that you want to locate. A blue dot displays the location of your chosen device, as shown in Figure 30-6.
Click the white arrow that appears in a blue circle. A window appears that displays three buttons: Display Message or Play Sound, Lock, or Wipe, as shown in Figure 30-7.
Display Message or Play Sound This lets you display a message, such as your contact number or email address, on the iPad screen so that someone finding your device can reach you. As an alternative, you can have your iPad play a sound so you can locate it in your house or office.
Lock This lets you block anyone from using your iPad if they don’t know your current pass code. (If you didn’t set up a passcode, go back and follow the steps in Chapter 8.)
Wipe This lets you erase all your data to prevent unauthorized access.
Click the Display Message or Play Sound, Lock, or Wipe button, as shown in Figure 30-7. Depending on which option you choose, you may see additional options.
