Find My lists someone else’s device

[PithyRiposte]

Recently I’ve noticed a MacBook Air I don’t own listed in the Find My app. When I first saw it, I freaked a little and changed my password. I also removed it from iCloud twice, and it eventually came back each time.

The location of the device is about 20 miles from me. It’s possible it’s an old MacBook Air I got rid of years ago. I definitely erased it at the time, so this other person isn’t signed in as me. The device doesn’t show up in the devices list on iCloud.com. It’s only in the Find My app.

For some reason, I now have no option to remove the device from Find My. I wouldn’t bother anyway, since I know it would just come back. I could report it as missing or lock it, but I just imagine some poor person suddenly having their Mac locked and how many problems that might cause them.

Is this a common occurrence? I read some accounts of it happening back in 2015, but nothing recent. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I could do?

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Haven't had it happen to me. If you still have contact to the person who bought it from you, try contacting them about this. Or you could try locking it with a message telling them about this mix up and how to contact you.

 

[PithyRiposte]

Thanks for the reply.

I gave away the Air (it was one of the really old ones) and I’m pretty sure the person would have sold it or given it away themselves. I’ve no contact with anyone involved.

I’d rather not give this person my info. I don’t know if it would do any good since they may not be doing anything to cause it.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Thanks for the reply.

I gave away the Air (it was one of the really old ones) and I’m pretty sure the person would have sold it or given it away themselves. I’ve no contact with anyone involved.

I’d rather not give this person my info. I don’t know if it would do any good since they may not be doing anything to cause it.

True, but it can't hurt to make a burner email address just for this. Even if they aren't causing it there still could be a way to fix it.

 

[PithyRiposte]

True.

Is there any way to send the device a message without locking it? If they’re not tech savvy, I can see them thinking I’m a hacker or up to something.