The Apple device and friend locators have merged into one app that’s called “Find My“. It’s an intuitive and straightforward app that enables Apple users to find whatever they may need to find – across different devices. Best of all – you can use this feature without ever needing to connect to WiFi or mobile data!
Ready to learn more about this ultra-handy feature? Let’s dive right in!
Locating Lost Devices
The “Find My” has separate sections for friends, your Apple devices and Find My-enabled Bluetooth Items, not to mention the “Me” tab.
A map is used to display all the Apple devices that you’re currently logged into. You can also get the exact Map location via Apple Maps: simply tap on the device to locate it. You can also “Play a Sound” if you can’t locate a device that’s lost somewhere in the vicinity, and you can also get a notification when a lost device is found if it’s offline.
If you ever end up in a situation where your device is lost or stolen, you can also use the “Find My” app to lock the device, disable Apply Pay and delete all sensitive data.
Locating Friends and Family Members
This new, integrated feature enables you to locate your friends and family members and also enables you to share your real-life location with them. Simply choose the “Share My Location” option, and tap on the name of the individual that you want to share your location with. You can also choose whether you want to share your location permanently, for an hour, or till the end of the day. Furthermore, you can turn on notifications to get specific alerts when your friend leaves home, work etc. This is an exceptional safety feature that allows you to rest assured that your loved ones are safe.
The “Me” Tab
The “Me” tab displays all the “Find My” features that you’re using and shows the options that are currently available. Toggle between features such as “My Location“, “Share My Location“, “Allow Friend Requests“, “Receive Location Updates” and “Name Current Location“.
Tracking offline devices
One of the most interesting features of the “Find My” app is the ability to locate a device that’s not connected to WiFi or mobile data. This is only possible by using Bluetooth and the phone’s proximity to other Apple devices. If your stolen/lost device is close to another Apple device, the latter picks up the signal and can relay the stolen/lost device’s exact location. Pretty exceptional!
Make sure that this feature is switched on by tapping on the “Enabling Offline Finding” in the “Find My” app>F. This ensures that your device is safer than ever, without compromising battery life, data usage or privacy. There’s also a “Help a Friend” option that opens up the iCloud.com website, where your friend can sign into their account and track their lost device using your device.
Rumour has it that Apple is going to introduce new “Find My” features soon – so keep your eyes peeled on the official Apple website for the latest updates!
