iOS 7 beta: Find My 'iDevice' gets more secure with password disable
Apple's beta build of iOS 7 makes it more difficult for thieves to get away with stealing an iOS device by requiring a user's password to be entered when disabling the "Find My iPhone" functionality.
The new feature, found in pre-release builds of iOS 7 made available to developers and first discovered by AppleInsider reader Tom, also applies to the iPad. Users can open the Settings application, choose iCloud, then "Find My iPhone," and flipping the switch to off brings up a password prompt.
The addition addresses a potential issue that users have noticed for years, since the "Find My iPhone" functionality came to iOS 4 in 2010. With iOS 7, users who may not feel the need to utilize the passcode lock screen can still enjoy added security for the Find My iPhone feature, making it more difficult for a thief to turn it off.
Of course, someone who has stolen an iPhone or iPad could simply turn off the device, or remove a SIM card. But the new feature is just an added level of security for those who may be unfortunate enough to have their device stolen.
For in-depth coverage of Apple's new mobile operating system, see AppleInsider's Inside iOS 7 series.
The new feature, found in pre-release builds of iOS 7 made available to developers and first discovered by AppleInsider reader Tom, also applies to the iPad. Users can open the Settings application, choose iCloud, then "Find My iPhone," and flipping the switch to off brings up a password prompt.
The addition addresses a potential issue that users have noticed for years, since the "Find My iPhone" functionality came to iOS 4 in 2010. With iOS 7, users who may not feel the need to utilize the passcode lock screen can still enjoy added security for the Find My iPhone feature, making it more difficult for a thief to turn it off.
Of course, someone who has stolen an iPhone or iPad could simply turn off the device, or remove a SIM card. But the new feature is just an added level of security for those who may be unfortunate enough to have their device stolen.
For in-depth coverage of Apple's new mobile operating system, see AppleInsider's Inside iOS 7 series.
Comments
I've sent apple numerous requests to add a feature that requires a password to be entered to power off the device.
Having the GPS work with or without sim would be awesome as well.
1/ Immediately inform network who will block sim to prevent unauthorised use
2/ Immediately inform insurance company of loss
3/ Instigate a remote wipe if possibile to protect data
Does this feature mitigate the need for any of these steps?
Or get the device to send all remaining electrical energy to the metal exterior when incorrectly attempting to disable 'Find My iPhone', tasing the shit out of them and branding the word 'THIEF' onto their hand.
That'd be...fun.
No but sometimes you want to track the bloody hooligans who took it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kkqd1337
Also, in the UK when a phone is lost this is what most/all people do:
1/ Immediately inform network who will block sim to prevent unauthorised use
2/ Immediately inform insurance company of loss
3/ Instigate a remote wipe if possibile to protect data
Does this feature mitigate the need for any of these steps?
No but this feature may aide in the recovery of the device
Quote:
Originally Posted by markbriton
Does it prevent thieves from simply wiping the device and restoring to factory settings?
I could be wrong, but I believe during the keynote it was mentioned that this passcode would be required even after wiping the device.
from apple:
a new Find My iPhone Activation Lock feature that requires your Apple ID and password before you can turn off Find My iPhone, erase data or re-activate a device after it’s been remotely erased;
Grow up. Or look up a dictionary. (Unless you meant to add the '/s' tag, in which case, I apologize)
Quote:
Originally Posted by winstein2010
It would be great if "Find iPhone" does not crash in iOS 7 beta 2.
What part of "beta" flew by you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kkqd1337
Also, in the UK when a phone is lost this is what most/all people do:
1/ Immediately inform network who will block sim to prevent unauthorised use
2/ Immediately inform insurance company of loss
3/ Instigate a remote wipe if possibile to protect data
Does this feature mitigate the need for any of these steps?
iOS 7 also has the "activation lock" feature, which can be enabled from iCloud. Then even if a device is wiped by a thief and restored to factory state, it can't be reactivated on any cell network without typing in your iCloud password. This is supposed to make stolen iPhones almost worthless.