iOS 15: How Apple makes it easier to find stolen iPhones

Find your purple iPhone with iOS 15…

A remarkable improvement in iOS 15 means that even a lost or stolen iPhone may show in the Find My network app, even after it has been wiped, so long as it is equipped with a U1 chip.

The born identity

What’s happening is that when your iPhone is powered down it will still be running in a very low power state, similar to an AirTag. This lets the device continue to be findable on the Find My network – even if the battery runs down.

Not every iPhone is compatible, only those equipped with a U1 chip. These iPhones can be located when offline, in power reserve mode and after power off.

What Apple says

Apple says: The Find My network and Activation Lock can locate your device even after it has been erased. To help ensure that nobody is tricked into purchasing your device, the Hello screen will clearly show that your device is locked, locatable, and still yours.

There’s a new reminder in iOS 15 that explains: “iPhone remains findable after power off. Find My helps you locate this iPhone when it is lost or stolen, even when it is in power reserve mode or when powered off.”

The reminder shows when your updated iPhone runs low on power for the first item.

Activation Lock 2

The feature relies on Activation Lock, which tries to make it impossible for others to use your device without your Apple ID and password.

With iOS 14 it was possible to wipe a stolen iPhone to disable Find My, but this is no longer the case. The message warning that a device is locked, findable and belongs to someone else should make iPhones a far less attractive target for theft.

All controlled in Find My settings

In the event you want your iPhone to power off completely when switched off you can change the relevant setting which you’ll find in Find My settings.

Don’t leave it behind: Separation Warnings in iOS 15

What devices are supported?

Now all devices are supported. At this stage you’ll only find this on newer iPhones equipped with Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology and the Apple U1 chip. The following models are compatible:

• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max.
• iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Older iPhones can be located on the Find My network but not when offline or off.

One more thing

Separation Alerts also helps protect your devices. The system makes use of Find My to alert you on your other devices if you leave a protected iPhone or iPad behind. It’s the same alert system that works with AirTags and Find My accessories, and must be enabled for each of your items within the Find My app.

More about iOS 15

• How to change the size of text for specific apps in iOS 15
• 12 Siri commands that work offline in iOS 15 and later
• iOS 15 makes your iPhone a COVID-19 vaccine passport
• How to make Safari tabs great again on iPadOS 15

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