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Catalina and iOS 13 both include new technology that allows you to find misplaced devices more easily. If you leave your
MacBook somewhere, you can now find it even if it isn’t connected to a network thanks to a Bluetooth beacon that can be
picked up on other devices.
How to use Find My
The‘FindMy...’servicehasbeenaroundfora whilebuthasbenefitedfromsomeneatenhancementsin Catalina.Forexample, it
combinestheFindMy...andFindMyFriendsservicessothatyoucantrackdevices andanyone who has shared their location with
you on amap. Here we’ll showyou what to doifyou lose oneofyour devices.Your devices
All of the devices linked to
your account (and family
members if you have set up
Family Sharing) will be listed
under the ‘Devices’ tab in
the left column. Click on a
device to show its location
on a map.Get info
After selecting a device, click
on the small ‘i’ icon next to
its name on the map. This
will display an info panel that
displays the nearest address
to the device’s location, current
battery level and more.Erase device
If you have little hope of getting
your lost device back then one
last thing you can do is erase it
remotely so that none of your
data is compromised if it falls
into the wrong hands. Click on
‘Erase This Device’ to carry out
this task.Mark as lost
If you have lost a device
then scroll down to the
bottom of the info window
and then click on ‘Activate’
under the Mark As Lost
option. You can then lock
the device with a code and
add a phone number to call
if it is found.BE CAREFUL WHAT
YOU SHAREThesecurityofyourMaccanbecompromisedbyunwittingly
sharingthingsthatyoureallyshouldn’t.GotoSystem
Preferences>Sharingandscrutinisewhatis beingshared,
if anything.Keysettingstokeepuncheckedare‘Remote
Management’and‘RemoteLogin’,unlessyourMacbelongstoa
companyandyouareworkingfromhome.If in doubt,onlyallow
accessfor‘Onlytheseusers’andthenaddin theIDs.KEEP A GUEST
ACCOUNTAlthough it seems strange to advise you to create a guest
account on your Mac that anyone can log into, this could be
beneficial in getting your computer back if you lose it. Go to
System Preferences>Users & Groups, click on guest user and
ensure that the ‘Allow guests to log into this computer option is
ticked and, if anyone does log in then any internet activity will
make your Mac easier to find through Find My.