Losing your iPhone or iPad can be a frustrating and worrisome experience. Fortunately, Apple has a built-in feature called Lost Mode that can help you find your lost device and keep your personal information safe. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of enabling Lost Mode for your lost or stolen iPhone or iPad, and what to do once you’ve activated it.

Understanding Lost Mode

Lost Mode is a feature that enables you to remotely lock your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple devices when they are lost or stolen. It helps you protect your personal information and can assist in locating your device. When Lost Mode is enabled, the following occurs:

• Your device will lock and require a passcode to unlock it.
• The device’s lock screen will display a message with your contact information. This makes it easier for someone who finds your device to get in touch with you.
• The device will track its location, and you’ll receive notifications when the location is updated.
• Apple Pay and other services will suspend for the device as a safety precaution.
• Activation Lock will be enabled, preventing anyone from erasing or reactivating your device without your Apple ID and password.

Preparation: Set up Find My iPhone

Before you can enable Lost Mode, you need to have the Find My iPhone feature set up on your device. This feature automatically activates when you sign in with your Apple ID during the initial setup process. However, if you haven’t set up Find My iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
3. Select Find My from the list of options.
4. Tap Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad).
5. Toggle on the Find My iPhone switch.
6. Also, enable Send Last Location to automatically send the device’s location to Apple when the battery is critically low.

With Find My iPhone set up, you’re now prepared to enable Lost Mode if your device is lost or stolen.

How to Enable Lost Mode

There are two ways to enable Lost Mode: using the Find My app on another Apple device or via iCloud.com in a web browser. We’ll cover both methods below.

Using the Find My App

1. Open the Find My app on another Apple device, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

2. Go to the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Locate and select the lost or stolen device from the list.

4. Swipe up or click the info button to reveal additional options.

5. Tap Activate under the Mark As Lost heading.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to set a passcode (if necessary), enter a contact phone number, and customize the message that will display on the lock screen of the lost device.

7. Tap Activate to enable Lost Mode for the selected device.

Using iCloud.com

1. Visit iCloud.com in a web browser on a computer or another device.

2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.

3. Click on the Find iPhone icon.

4. Click All Devices at the top of the screen and select the lost or stolen device from the list.

5. Click Lost Mode and follow the on-screen instructions to set a passcode. Enter a contact phone number and customize the message that will appear on the lost device’s lock screen.

What Happens After Enabling Lost Mode

Once you’ve enabled Lost Mode, several things will happen:

• Your custom message and contact phone number will be displayed on the lost device’s lock screen.

Image Source: iDB

• The device’s location will be tracked, and you’ll receive notifications when the location is updated.

• The device will automatically enter Low Power Mode to conserve battery life and stay online for a longer time.

• Apple Pay and other services will be suspended for safety reasons.

• The device will be locked with Activation Lock, preventing anyone from erasing or reactivating it without your Apple ID and password.