Apple makes Find My iPhone service free for iOS devices
Apple on Monday announced that Find My iPhone (and iPad, and iPod touch) is now free to use without a MobileMe subscription, allowing users to locate their lost iOS device at no extra cost.
The service is free to any iPhone 4, iPad or latest-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.2, which will be released on Monday. The "Find My" functionality is built in to the new mobile operating system update.
Previously, Find My iPhone was only available to iOS users who had a MobileMe subscription for $99 per year. It also required the use of a free application from the App Store.
Users set up MobileMe using the Settings application on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The feature can be accessed in "Mail, Contacts and Calendars."
From there, select "Add Account" and choose "MobileMe." Users must enter their Apple ID and password, which is the same as an iTunes Store account used to download content from iTunes, or applications from the App Store.
Users must then verify their account via e-mail. After the account is verified, returning to the MobileMe screen in Settings will show a switch, allowing users to turn on "Find My iPhone."
After Find My iPhone is set up, it can be tested by signing in to me.com from a computer. From there, users can see the location of their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on a map. The service also allows the device owner to display a message or set a passcode lock.
Apple has been rumored to make at least some features of MobileMe free for basic users. More evidence of a free tier for MobileMe appeared last week, when an error message referencing "free MobileMe service" was discovered in the iOS 4.2.1 beta issued to developers.
While MobileMe runs $99 a year, since 2008 Apple has offered a free 60-day trial of its service. While Find My iPhone is now free, the remainder of the MobileMe service -- including mail, contacts, calendars and photos -- remains subscription-only.
The service is free to any iPhone 4, iPad or latest-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.2, which will be released on Monday. The "Find My" functionality is built in to the new mobile operating system update.
Previously, Find My iPhone was only available to iOS users who had a MobileMe subscription for $99 per year. It also required the use of a free application from the App Store.
Users set up MobileMe using the Settings application on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The feature can be accessed in "Mail, Contacts and Calendars."
From there, select "Add Account" and choose "MobileMe." Users must enter their Apple ID and password, which is the same as an iTunes Store account used to download content from iTunes, or applications from the App Store.
Users must then verify their account via e-mail. After the account is verified, returning to the MobileMe screen in Settings will show a switch, allowing users to turn on "Find My iPhone."
After Find My iPhone is set up, it can be tested by signing in to me.com from a computer. From there, users can see the location of their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on a map. The service also allows the device owner to display a message or set a passcode lock.
Apple has been rumored to make at least some features of MobileMe free for basic users. More evidence of a free tier for MobileMe appeared last week, when an error message referencing "free MobileMe service" was discovered in the iOS 4.2.1 beta issued to developers.
While MobileMe runs $99 a year, since 2008 Apple has offered a free 60-day trial of its service. While Find My iPhone is now free, the remainder of the MobileMe service -- including mail, contacts, calendars and photos -- remains subscription-only.
Comments
So I downloaded it, but it's still asking me to sign up for Mobile Me's 60-day trial.
I don't think your phone is running iOS 4.2?
Doesn't work for me yet, anyone else have it working?
It requires iOS 4.2.1 ! Why would you expect it to work yet?
I don't think your phone is running iOS 4.2?
I've been running 4.2.1 GM since last week. Maybe just they are just waiting until they version is publically available worldwide.
It requires iOS 4.2.1 ! Why would you expect it to work yet?
I have that actually, thanks though, and have been for weeks as I am part of the Apple Developers.
I've been running 4.2.1 GM since last week.
Okay.
Still, it's probably something that is being rolled out with the general release. I would imagine that there's no cause for alarm unless it continues beyond today.
http://www.apple.com/ios/
I've been running 4.2.1 GM since last week. Maybe just they are just waiting until they version is publically available worldwide.
Yep, version 1.1 isn't out yet...
I wonder if they will end up changing it from Find My iPhone to Change my iDevice or something more generalized the way they evnetually changed OS X iPhone and iPhone OS to iOS.
Yes it says Find my iPad on the iPad
Ok, this is great and all, BUT... I considered the capability of being able to find my lost or misplaced iPhone the tipping point for paying $99 a year. Now that's it's free, the decision to keep paying Apple the $99 is hanging in the balance... Anyone else feel that way?
I agree. As a loyal buyer of everything Apple since the first launch of OSX I feel a little let down that the company hasn't taken an opportunity to reward it's most loyal 'mobile me' or '.mac ' customer base. I know we get a cool e-mail address and one or two other neat storage features ... but kinda feel that Apple has lost an opportunity (over recent years) to offer greater reasons to sign up to Mobile.me. Apple could have given product discounts or greater incentives to sign up. This latest move to allow a previous 'find my phone' feature to anybody with the latest iphone, touch and iOS2 simply means less people will renew their annual subscribtion.
This tells me that the need to make iOS devices more appealing is more pressing to Apple and that simply allowing some MobileMe data syncing simply wasnt? going to cut it.
Now I wonder if Apple will best RiM in smartphone unit sales this holiday quarter and how many Android-based devices are being activated each day now.
Yes it says Find my iPad on the iPad
Nice. Thanks.
Ok, this is great and all, BUT... I considered the capability of being able to find my lost or misplaced iPhone the tipping point for paying $99 a year. Now that's it's free, the decision to keep paying Apple the $99 is hanging in the balance... Anyone else feel that way?
Yes, they now need to drop MobileMe to <%50/year or watch people drop MobileMe. I have had it for 4 years or so and I've waited for them to make me feel special .... not yet.