Can a Wi-Fi only Ipad in lost mode regain internet connection

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can a Wi-Fi only Ipad in lost mode regain internet connection

HI All,

I have just lost my i-Pad which is Wi-Fi only. It was inside my briefcase which I was bringing home from work and Im pretty sure it was turned off. The device had a passcode and I have logged into icloud and placed the device in 'lost mode'. The current status is showing off line.

As part of putting the device in 'lost mode' I inserted a message including my phone number so somebody can contact me if found. However, I understand for anybody to see this message (or for me to get any location data from the device) the device needs to be able to connect to the internet.

I was just wondering how it would be possible for somebody to connect the device to the internet if they dont know my passcode? Even if someone had the best intentions, how could they reconnect the device to the internet to see if there is a lost message on the device?

Is it possible for someone to re-set the i-PAD and connect to the internet? How would one bypass the passcode in order to reset the device and connect to a new wi-fi network?

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Feb 12, 2014 3:57 AM

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Answer 1

fromsouth

Level 5

4,945 points

Feb 12, 2014 7:17 AM in response to z2252314

In theory (and only in theory) if you had one setting turned on (ask to join networks) it can automatically connect to not password protected networks.

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Answer 2

i_Mike

Level 1

6 points

Apr 29, 2014 3:26 PM in response to fromsouth

Unfortunately this does not work that way, I'm on iOS 7.0.6 and it does not ask to connect to a wifi even if "ask to join networks" is enabled. That *****, apple didn't think about that and lost mode is useless in this case. There should be an option to connect to a wifi from a lock screen even if you don't know the passcode, this would allow to switch the ipad in lost mode.

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Answer 3

zynskavs

Level 1

4 points

Jun 24, 2014 9:17 AM in response to i_Mike

Yes i aggre with i_Mike, even iPhone 5S cannot connect to available internet connection from a lock screen AUTOMATICALLY. I made an experiment on my iphone 5s, just in case my iphone got stolen. But what i have found? Really dissapointed. "Find my iphone" application has many weakness:

1. Your iphone got stolen and you have password -> the thief eject the sim card and throw sim card away -> the also can turn your iphone off even in the "Lost Mode" -> and then turn on again. Congratulation ! Your Iphone will never be tracked again! Because it lost the wifi connection and this "smart" phone cannot connect to available internet connection from a lock screen. There is no "next" come back online if apple not fix this !

so, this is my opinion for help fix this problem:

1. The all ios device must able to AUTOMATICALLY search the available internet connection and connect to it regardless after reboot or restart the device (Especially in the "Lost Mode"). So, we can tracked the lost/stolen ios device

2. There should be an option to connect to available internet connection from a lock screen even if you don't know the passcode AUTOMATICALLY.

- There is no use for "Find My Iphone" application if the iphone not connect to the internet connection (wifi/3g it doesn't matter).

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