The Find My app is a very useful feature that allows iOS, iPadOS, and macOS users to locate and track their Apple devices if they get lost or stolen. This feature is enabled by default on every Apple device with the latest operating systems installed, but sometimes you might need to enable it manually or add a device that wasn’t included.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to add your Mac computer to Find My iPhone. We’ll also discuss why you need to do it, methods you can use to achieve it, what to do if you can’t add your Mac to Find My iPhone, and some bonus tips to help you get the most out of Find My. Let’s get started!
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Add Your Mac to Find My iPhone
The main reason why you need to add your Mac to Find My iPhone is to enhance its security. By adding your Mac to this service, you’ll be able to locate it in case it gets stolen or lost. You’ll also be able to perform several actions remotely, such as locking it, playing a sound, or erase its data to prevent unauthorized access.
Here are some other reasons why adding your Mac to Find My iPhone can be useful:
- You can track your Mac’s location if it’s stolen or lost.
- You can remotely lock your Mac to prevent someone from accessing its data.
- You can play a sound to locate your Mac if you misplace it at home or at the office.
- You can erase your data remotely to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Methods to Add Your Mac to Find My iPhone
Method 1: Add Your Mac Using iCloud
The easiest way to add your Mac to Find My iPhone is through iCloud. Here are the steps:
- Open Safari or any other browser on your Mac.
- Go to http://www.icloud.com.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- Click on the "Find iPhone" icon.
- Click on "All Devices" at the top of the screen.
- Click on the "+" icon at the bottom of the list of devices.
- Select your Mac from the list of devices.
- Click on "Add" to add your Mac to Find My iPhone.
Pros:
- Fast and easy method.
- No additional software required.
Cons:
- You need to have an iCloud account.
- You need to sign in to iCloud on your Mac.
Method 2: Add Your Mac Using System Preferences
You can also add your Mac to Find My iPhone using the System Preferences app. Here’s how:
- Click on the Apple logo at the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on "Apple ID."
- Click on "iCloud" on the left sidebar.
- Check the box next to "Find My Mac."
- Click on "Allow" to grant permission for Find My Mac.
Pros:
- No need to visit iCloud website.
- You can use this method if you’re not signed in to iCloud on your Mac.
Cons:
- You need to have an Apple ID.
- You need to grant permission for Find My Mac to access your location.
Method 3: Add Your Mac Using Terminal
If you’re comfortable using Terminal, you can add your Mac to Find My iPhone using the following command:
- Open Terminal on your Mac.
- Type the following command:
sudo nvram ActivationLockEnabled=YES - Press Enter.
- Type your admin password when prompted.
- Restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.
Pros:
- You don’t need to use a browser or System Preferences to add your Mac.
- You can use this method if you prefer using the command line.
Cons:
- You need to be comfortable using Terminal.
- If you make a mistake, you can cause issues with your Mac.
What to Do If You Can’t Add Your Mac to Find My iPhone
If for any reason you can’t add your Mac to Find My iPhone using any of the above methods, here are some fixes you can try:
- Make sure that your Mac is running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.
- Make sure that you’re signed in to iCloud on your Mac with the same Apple ID that you’re using on your other Apple devices.
- Make sure that your Mac has a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Make sure that location services are enabled on your Mac.
- Restart your Mac and try again.
Bonus Tips
Here are some bonus tips that can help you get the most out of Find My:
- Enable the "Send Last Location" option on your iPhone or iPad in case you misplace them.
- Enable the "Notify when found" option for your AirPods, so you get a notification when they’re found.
- Enable the "Offline Finding" option for your Apple Watch, so you can locate it even if it’s not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
- Enable the "Mark as Lost" option on any of your Apple devices that you believe have been stolen or lost.
5 FAQs
Q: What kind of Macs can be added to Find My iPhone?
A: Any Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later can be added to Find My iPhone.
Q: Can I locate my Mac if it’s turned off or the battery is dead?
A: No, you can only locate your Mac if it’s turned on and connected to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Q: Can I erase my Mac remotely?
A: Yes, you can erase your Mac remotely if you enable the "Find My" feature and mark it as lost.
Q: Can I track my Mac’s location if I don’t have access to another Apple device?
A: Yes, you can use iCloud.com to locate and track your Mac’s location if you don’t have access to another Apple device.
Q: Can someone access my Mac’s data remotely if it’s lost or stolen?
A: No, if you enable the "Find My" feature and mark your Mac as lost, anyone who finds it won’t be able to access your data.
Final Thoughts
Adding your Mac to Find My iPhone can be very useful to enhance its security and locate it if it’s lost or stolen. We hope this article has helped you understand why and how to do it, as well as some bonus tips and FAQs to help you get the most out of Find My. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
