You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: bmalm73
bmalm73 Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

Find My notifications that I left my MacBook behind

When I've used my MacBook Pro anywhere I connected to WiFi, and then close the lid and put it in my bag to leave for another place, I always get a notification after a few minutes that it's left behind and the location is usually near the last place I had it turned on.

Why can't it realise that it's in my backpack just a few centimeters from my iPhone? None of my other devices or things (AirTags, Watch, AirPods, etc.) registered in Find My app behave the same, they all know they're "travelling" with me as I move.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 12:57 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,105 points

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 3:41 PM

Are you shutting down your Mac, or simply telling it to sleep by closing the lid, and putting the Running MacBook Pro in your bag?


If it's asleep in your bag, that last place it was running with an Internet connection is where you just were, and now you have moved. Your Mac does not have the ability to use cellular data to determine your Mac has moved.


As odd as it sounds, I think this is expected behavior.

View in context

Similar questions

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,105 points

Oct 8, 2023 3:41 PM in response to bmalm73

Are you shutting down your Mac, or simply telling it to sleep by closing the lid, and putting the Running MacBook Pro in your bag?


If it's asleep in your bag, that last place it was running with an Internet connection is where you just were, and now you have moved. Your Mac does not have the ability to use cellular data to determine your Mac has moved.


As odd as it sounds, I think this is expected behavior.

Reply
User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,105 points

Mar 25, 2024 4:37 PM in response to bmalm73

<<. I'm guessing the MacBook Pro doesn't have the U1 chip, or does it? >.


Tou are a good guesser. MacBook Pro does Not have a U1 wideband chip to help it communicate stuff like its location compared to nearby devices.


One other issue that comes up LESS than it should is that closing the cover is a REQUEST for your MacBook to go to sleep. it is not a guarantee that it is asleep or even that it will eventually sleep. if you need that, choose Sleep off the Apple menu and wait for the display to go dark before putting in your bag.

Reply

Find My notifications that I left my MacBook behind

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up