Q: Find my iPhone question

That is a bit of a flaw of the program. The only way your device will get online is if it's within range of a familiar wifi....a library for example where you had it on beore.

The biggest advantage of your device being locked is that your data is safer. If someone stole it they can wipe it, but any data, passwords, etc, are harder for them to get at.

That is not correct.  If the iPod is on or in sleep mode and able to receive a wi-fi signal from a router in Apple's database (almost all are) it should work even if it is locked.  There is no need to to connect to a router that you previously used.  Note that anyone finding or stealing the iPod can restore it to Factory Settings which will make Find My IPod useless.

But it actually has to be able to connect to the wifi router, join the network, and receive an IP address for find my iPhone to work.  If the wifi network is unknown to the device, and is protected, then someone would have to enter the password to connect it.  If the device is locked, nobody can do that, so the device cannot connect.

Find my iPhone requires an actice data connection to do anythint - so the device needs to be an active member of the wifi's network with a valid IP assigned to it.

Thank you Michael.  You are, of course, correct.  The iPod needs a network connection in order to respond, so it requires an unsecured wi-fi source or one whose router password you already have entered on the iPod.   I suppose that is what Skydiver was saying in a round about way.  (My error comes from knowing that the iPod can determine its location from any router, but forgetting that it can't signal back without establishing a network connection)

It is a bit of a catch22 in some ways.

Leave it unprotected with no passcode, then someone may use it and connect and it shows up in iCloud - BUT, they also have access to your information.

So, lock it down and at least protect your content, but then it may never connect again, so find my iPod is ultimately useless - BUT, all your info is secured.

I would say clearly option 2 is the better of the two, but there are inherent limitations to any remote data tracking software (although the more reason to use passcodes and be proactive about your information, instead of reactive).

Sorry

What I meant was....since it's locked it can't get on any internet connection, so the only way it could get on the net and be visible would be if if was near a known connection. For example, if I left my locked iPod in my sister's bag and she took it home to an internet it has logged onto.

In the case of a stranger getting their hands on it, it's a long shot at best.

There's one thing about iOS7 (if what's in the release announcement makes it to the final release) that might help folks in the future. Wiping will now require the user to enter their apple ID and password, which should theoretically make it harder for thieves to wipe devices.

Skydiver119 wrote:

 

What I meant was....since it's locked it can't get on any internet connection, so the only way it could get on the net and be visible would be if if was near a known connection.

...Or if there there was a nearby unsecured router to connect to.  Note that many public wi-fi sources require the user to click on an I Agree button to gain a connection.  I assume that FindMyIPod would also not work in that case.