User profile for user: NJDavis
NJDavis Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

How to find the owner of an iPod Nano?

Hi everyone,


Back in November-ish 2015 a friend of mine found an iPod Nano on his way home from work. As he doesn't use Apple products but I do, he passed it onto me to see if I could work out who it belonged to.


I've only been able to determine the serial number and the fact that it's named as "Name's iPod" and that's been it, aside from the few songs that are on it.


I've done all the usual things - posted a notice in the pub near where it was found, Facebook, police, etc... Nobody has responded at all and the police didn't really care all that much about it. I've done everything I can think of, but I've had no luck tracking the owner.

I know it sounds really daft, but I know if it were mine, I'd be pretty upset so I figured I'd ask you guys if there's any way I can find out who this belongs to?


Thanks in advance!

NJ.

iPod nano

Posted on Jan 16, 2016 3:59 PM

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User profile for user: pmiles
pmiles
User level: Level 6
16,014 points

Posted on Jan 17, 2016 1:08 PM

The problem is the iPod Nano isn't a device that requires registering, thus unless the person who purchased the device did so through the Online Apple Store or added the device to their My Support Profile, there is no way to know who owns the device. Now if either of the above did occur, then the device is either tied to the purchasers Apple ID or the owners My Support Profile.


Start by typing in the serial number here (don't sign-in):

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

If it has an active warranty coverage listed, you at least know about how long ago the device was purchased.

Next, try adding the device to your My Support Profile (sign-in):

My Support Profile - Apple


If the device is tied to an Apple ID, it will tell you that it is tied to another Apple ID and won't let you add the device. You might be able to find the owner through Apple. If it lets you add the device, then there is no way to find the owner through Apple.


If it is associated with an Apple ID, try contacting Apple Support:

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/


Use: Get Started > Apple ID > Other Apple ID Topics > The Topic Is Not Listed


Then state that you have found an iPod Nano with serial number XXXXX that appears to be associated with an Apple ID but you have no idea what Apple ID that is. Tell them you wish to return the device to the rightful owner but need to have a means to get in contact with them. Ask if they (Apple) are willing to contact the owner of the device on your behalf since they can retrieve this information. Then if the owner agrees to be contacted by you, then they can email you with their chosen method of contact.


It's a shot in the dark, but worth trying.

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User profile for user: pmiles
pmiles
User level: Level 6
16,014 points

Jan 17, 2016 1:08 PM in response to NJDavis

The problem is the iPod Nano isn't a device that requires registering, thus unless the person who purchased the device did so through the Online Apple Store or added the device to their My Support Profile, there is no way to know who owns the device. Now if either of the above did occur, then the device is either tied to the purchasers Apple ID or the owners My Support Profile.


Start by typing in the serial number here (don't sign-in):

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

If it has an active warranty coverage listed, you at least know about how long ago the device was purchased.

Next, try adding the device to your My Support Profile (sign-in):

My Support Profile - Apple


If the device is tied to an Apple ID, it will tell you that it is tied to another Apple ID and won't let you add the device. You might be able to find the owner through Apple. If it lets you add the device, then there is no way to find the owner through Apple.


If it is associated with an Apple ID, try contacting Apple Support:

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/


Use: Get Started > Apple ID > Other Apple ID Topics > The Topic Is Not Listed


Then state that you have found an iPod Nano with serial number XXXXX that appears to be associated with an Apple ID but you have no idea what Apple ID that is. Tell them you wish to return the device to the rightful owner but need to have a means to get in contact with them. Ask if they (Apple) are willing to contact the owner of the device on your behalf since they can retrieve this information. Then if the owner agrees to be contacted by you, then they can email you with their chosen method of contact.


It's a shot in the dark, but worth trying.

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User profile for user: deggie
deggie
User level: Level 10
167,543 points

Jan 17, 2016 1:11 PM in response to NJDavis

You can go ahead and do that but it will be all for naught and while your work is nice what I already told you is true. You have done everything you can.


Apple will not contact the registered owner, they don't have employees who do that and it is not their policy. They certainly will not give you that information due to their privacy policies.

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User profile for user: NJDavis
NJDavis Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jan 17, 2016 1:17 PM in response to deggie

I'm not going to ask for a total strangers information, that's just silly, not to mention a complete breach of Data Protection.


I don't consider this a waste of time. If it were me and I'd lost my iPod, I'd like to think that someone would be kind-hearted enough to at least try to find out who it belonged to and get it back to me; it's just common courtesy and decency to be honest.

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How to find the owner of an iPod Nano?

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