How to make your iPod more secure.

This Instructable was born of a student's panic when he lost his iPod Touch full of personal data, and was afraid he'd never get it back.

The Instructable is quick and easy to do, requires no extra apps, and could save you a lot of money and heartache.

Step 1: A quick note

There are two steps to this instructable - displaying a contact method on your iPod's screen, and stopping anybody from going beyond that point.

First, use your iPod's Notes function to type in your contact details.

It is not a good idea to use your real name and address, so instead use a simple email address or a phone number you don't mind being shared amongst strangers.  Type it a few lines down the screen, so that it ends up clearly visible on the "Lock" screen.

If my sons take their iPods on school trips, they use the school's contact details.

Take a screen-shot of the note by holding in the power button and pressing the home button.

Comments

[smiley G.I JOE]

that's smart

[camping crazy]

This is a great idea I wrote up a note on the lock screen as soon as I read it mines always locked. Thanks for the great ideas !!!!

[Kiteman]

You're welcome!

[FrozenIce]

yeah as a matter of fact i do know a few people like that... anyway good able, couldnt have put it better my self. now, only to wait till im done with my exams so that i can get my ipod back from my PARENTS!!!

[Michael_Bell]

If you have a good memory... http://lifehacker.com/5914602/this-is-how-you-should-secure-your-iphone

[PotatoCoffee]

On the passcode setting there is also an advanced passcode option, in which you can have as many digits as you want.

[HMice]

Yeah, and you can use words instead of just numbers. :)

[PotatoCoffee]

Correct!

[Lithium Rain]

O_o is the Christian capture of Antioch really so important to Brits that 1098 is a widespread PIN...?

[Kiteman]

Haha, isn't google fun?

[Lithium Rain]

More like Western Civ/history in general on the brain, although I confess I had muddled up the dates and my _very_ first thought was of the Battle of Hastings...

But I can't come up with another meaning - what's up with 1098? :D

[Kiteman]

Instead of 1-2-3-4, it's the opposite; 10-9-8... (apparently it's a common 4-digit passcode).

[Lithium Rain]

OH, I see, haha. Herp a derp.

[dangerD]

apple has an app called find my iPhone it lets you locate it on a map, play a sound and post a message remotely from your laptop or other ios device. you can also erase your data. And best of all it is free.

[Kiteman]

That is true, and I have it installed on all four family iPods (wonderful for finding put-down iPods around the house).

However, for iPods, they only work if they are connected to a wifi hotspot. As soon as your iPod is out of the house (and maybe school or office), then it's out of the reach of the app.

[black hole]

You, sir, are brilliant. I never would have thought to do this.

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[coolo52]

you're also my favorite person on instructables. :)

[Kiteman]

So many blushes...

[thomasthetankengine]

Wow, very practical...I had never thought of that before, great ideas! I will definitely do that on my iPod and soon to be iPad 3...:) thanks Kiteman!


...youre my favorite person on Instructables...

[Kiteman]

>blush<

Too kind.

[thomasthetankengine]

...but its true...;)

[jcksparr0w]

go smart people! seriously good instructable but whoever is gonna need it probably wont care for it. good idea though

[Kiteman]

Thanks - that's why I suggested emailing a link to the folk that need it.

[iceng]

Excellent points...

I leave my iPhone on the passenger seat 50% of the time when
coming home :-o

What would help a lot, is an app that would ding sweetly when the
engine stopped :)

A