[Lidtop2013]

Just turned this on etc just incase something bad happened.

So my question is what's stopping someone from going into the settings and turning find my iPhone off? I'd have thought you need to enter a password but you don't. Or is it still on secretly?

[interactiv-uk]

Originally Posted by Lidtop2013

Just turned this on etc just incase something bad happened.

So my question is what's stopping someone from going into the settings and turning find my iPhone off? I'd have thought you need to enter a password but you don't. Or is it still on secretly?

There's nothing to stop someone switching it off as you say. Best option is to have a pass code lock on your iPhone too.

As far as I know, if someone switches your iPhone off, Find my iPhone will give you the last known location.

[DevonBloke]

You are correct. Last known location is stored.
Just pin protect your iPhone.

[gavo360]

To be extra secure you could turn off deleting apps in the restrictions settings because you could have your phone snatched from you while its unlocked.

[Lidtop2013]

Thanks for the tips folks.

[IslandNiles]

You can also enable restrictions for location services, so that a thief won't be able to switch Find My iPhone off.

[calico_pie]

Here's a good article on the subject.

[Lidtop2013]

Thanks island and calico, really good to know there's at least a few ways of preventing someone just turning it off

[chenks]

Originally Posted by gavo360

To be extra secure you could turn off deleting apps in the restrictions settings because you could have your phone snatched from you while its unlocked.

"find my iphone" isn't an app, it's a service built-in to the icloud settings.

turning off deleting apps would have no affect on find my iphone.

[chenks]

Originally Posted by calico_pie

Here's a good article on the subject.

that article seems to be confusing the "find my iphone" service and the "find my iphone" app.

the app is not required to enable the service on your phone. the app is only for finding another phone.

[IslandNiles]

Originally Posted by chenks

that article seems to be confusing the "find my iphone" service and the "find my iphone" app.

the app is not required to enable the service on your phone. the app is only for finding another phone.

I agree that it calls it an app throughout the article, but the steps listed are the correct ones to take.

[chenks]

Originally Posted by IslandNiles

I agree that it calls it an app throughout the article, but the steps listed are the correct ones to take.

it even shows screenshots from the app.

[Lidtop2013]

But the thing about restricting access to the location option is a very good idea

[chenks]

it's a good service providing the thief is an idiot.
if the thief is sensible then the first thing they do it turn it off.

then take it somewhere with no wifi, remove the sim, turn it back on, connect it to itunes and do a restore to wipe it. (or if no restrictions, do a "erase all contents and settings" via settings).

removing the sim along with no wifi means that no "location" signal can be sent and no remote wipe signal can be received.

[IslandNiles]

^^^

Well, there's a limit to what any company can do in these circumstances.

[chenks]

Originally Posted by IslandNiles

^^^

Well, there's a limit to what any company can do in these circumstances.

oh i know, i'm not knocking the service.
just saying that it relies on the thief leaving the phone on and connected to be able to trace it.

[calico_pie]

It also relies on the owner not having a pass code.

If there's a pass code and the phone is stolen / lost, then you'd hope the owner could kill the phone's data before anyone else got access, even if it still proved difficult to recover the phone.

[chenks]

Originally Posted by calico_pie

It also relies on the owner not having a pass code.

If there's a pass code and the phone is stolen / lost, then you'd hope the owner could kill the phone's data before anyone else got access, even if it still proved difficult to recover the phone.

having a passcode enabled still doesn't disable the ability to power off the phone though.

[Kingsd316]

Shame apple haven't contacted the devs of igotya and implemented that app in the IOS software