But, did you know you can change your lock screen so that people know how to contact you if you’ve misplaced it? Android and iOS devices work differently, but both devices have a way to display information on the lock screen, such as your name and email address. In this tip, we’ll walk you through the steps and explain why it’s important. Click here for step-by-step instructions for your Android » Click here for step-by-step instructions for your iPhone »
For Android An Android device has a built-in feature that will allow you to add a lock screen message to your phone. In this message, you can write your contact info and a good number to call to notify you when found. It is important to note that some of these steps are newer features of Android Oreo.
To add a lock screen message go to your devices Settings App, then tap Security & Location. Next to “Screen Lock” tap Settings, and finally tap Lock screen message. From there you can add your personal contact information so that if found, that device will reach you much quicker. Try not to put too much information on the lock screen, because anyone can view that information without putting in your device’s passcode. “If found reach me at…” should be followed by an email address or a number of someone close to you.
For iOS The number one way to put information on a lost iOS device is using “Find My iPhone”; a feature in iCloud. With Find My iPhone turned on, you can add a personal note to the lock screen of the iPhone. You can also track it and find exactly where it is. You can even take a step further and permanently lock or erase the device remotely if needed.
All of this can be done by first enabling “Find my iPhone” by going into Settings, choosing Your Name> iCloud> and turning on Find My iPhone. Then, if you ever lose your device just simply sign into iCloud.com or open the Find My iPhone app on another iOS device. You can then put the phone into lost mode and display your message on the screen of that iOS device. But there is another way to put a message on your lock screen, and that is by using the Health App. If iCloud is not your thing, or if you’d like your information on the lock screen before taking the steps previously mentioned, then try this. The Health app may be mainly designed for use with emergency services, but it can also double as a “lost” mode for your iPhone. Here’s how. When you set up the Health app you create a “Medical ID”. In that you put your name, DOB, and also an emergency contact. The Medical ID can be viewed on the lock screen, thus providing your phone with good contact information, if someone else ever were to find your lost phone.
The catch is, to find that information, someone needs to get to your lock screen, then choose emergency, followed by selecting Medical ID. That may not be widely known to most people. If you ever find an iPhone on the street and want to be a Good Samaritan, checking for a Medical ID just might help you get that phone to the right person, and gain you some good Karma as well. It is absolutely important to have a passcode on all of your devices. If you lose a device, these are the best and quickest ways to ensure that you will get that device back.
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