Can iPad Pro be tracked by MAC address

My piece of **** so called friend stole my iPad Pro, he knew the passcode to unlock it and used that to remove from my account. Can it be tracked by MAC address or anything else?

iPad

Posted on Feb 10, 2023 3:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 11, 2023 4:43 AM

Unfortunately, you cannot trace a device via its MAC address.


The MAC (physical) address is only visible to the local network network to which the device is connected - and is not transmitted outside of the LAN. Also consider that the iPad uses mechanisms to prevent profiling and tracking by MAC address - by using a dummy address for WiFi network probes and polling (Private WiFi Address).


To locate a missing device, it must be signed-in to iCloud with your own AppleID:

Locate a device in Find My on iPad - Apple Support


Your description suggests that your friend has already signed-out from your iCloud account - and may also have removed the Activation Lock that protects your iPad from unauthorised reuse. If this has indeed occurred, it’s “game over”. It is essential that your iPad Passcode and iCloud Password are known only to you - and nobody else.


Here is Apple’s advice for lost or stolen devices:

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

Use the Find My app to locate a lost or stolen device – Apple Support


If the Find My iPad feature was enabled prior to it being “misplaced”, then if active, you would stand a good chance of locating it. 


However, if the feature was not activated prior to being misplaced - or the iPad has been inactive for more than 24 hours, the last known location will not be available - and the opportunity to use technical means to recover the iPad have been lost.



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 11, 2023 4:43 AM in response to Pb19797868

Unfortunately, you cannot trace a device via its MAC address.


The MAC (physical) address is only visible to the local network network to which the device is connected - and is not transmitted outside of the LAN. Also consider that the iPad uses mechanisms to prevent profiling and tracking by MAC address - by using a dummy address for WiFi network probes and polling (Private WiFi Address).


To locate a missing device, it must be signed-in to iCloud with your own AppleID:

Locate a device in Find My on iPad - Apple Support


Your description suggests that your friend has already signed-out from your iCloud account - and may also have removed the Activation Lock that protects your iPad from unauthorised reuse. If this has indeed occurred, it’s “game over”. It is essential that your iPad Passcode and iCloud Password are known only to you - and nobody else.


Here is Apple’s advice for lost or stolen devices:

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

Use the Find My app to locate a lost or stolen device – Apple Support


If the Find My iPad feature was enabled prior to it being “misplaced”, then if active, you would stand a good chance of locating it. 


However, if the feature was not activated prior to being misplaced - or the iPad has been inactive for more than 24 hours, the last known location will not be available - and the opportunity to use technical means to recover the iPad have been lost.



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Can iPad Pro be tracked by MAC address

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