Lost/Stolen MacBook ...Find My iPhone?? What does it mean

[karvey77]

I cant find my 2017 MacBook and “find my iPhone” shows “May 31, 2020 4:04am” as last know location at my house address....But I was not on my MacBook at that time?! Is it possible for the MacBook to show the location even though it was closed and at my house..?

It is possible that it may have been left in my car Sunday night and even though I went out and locked my car that night about 1am when I realized I forgot to lock it.... I had cash in center console and other items that I figured would have been stolen if someone went thru car... So I assumed nobody went thru the car, but now I can’t find my laptop and I’m worried it could have been stolen before 1am and so I’m trying to figure out if the “last location” only works when the laptop is opened... which would mean someone could have taken it?! And opened it in my driveway long enough for it to ping the location.

Anyone care to comment?

 

[chabig]

Is it possible for the MacBook to show the location even though it was closed and at my house..?

Yes, it's possible. Your Mac doesn't have to be open for it to report position. There are processes that continue to run while it's asleep, even when closed. So at 4:04 AM Sunday morning it was in your car. If it was stolen, you'll probably have to wait for it to update its location. In the meantime, check out Apple's support document:

Use Find My to locate your lost Apple device or AirTag - Apple Support

If you lose your Apple device, personal item connected to an AirTag, or other Find My network accessory, use Find My to find it or mark it as lost to protect your device and personal information.

support.apple.com

You have the option to mark you MacBook as lost, which will lock it. Or you can immediately erase it, but then it can no longer be tracked. In any event, your data is safe as it's encrypted by the T2 chip.

 

[LinkRS]

Howdy karvey77,

First off, if you suspect it has been stolen, use another device, login into iCloud and activate the lost mode. That way, the next time whoever has it connects to the internet, the system will be locked out. Then contact the police and file a report. You may be able to make a claim on your home/rental or auto insurance to help offset the cost of replacement. Unlike an iPhone or an iPad with a 4G connection, Find My iPhone won't get updated unless the person who has it connects it to the Internet. That sucks :-(.
The last time you used your Mac, was it shut off, or just in sleep mode? If it was off, there is very little chance that it spontaneously turned itself on, connected and updated its location. If it was just asleep, I have seen cases where systems that were in sleep mode or hibernated, just turning themselves on. If it did that, and was able to access your WiFi, it could update its location.

Good luck!

Rich S.

 

[chabig]

Unlike an iPhone or an iPad with a 4G connection, Find My iPhone won't get updated unless the person who has it connects it to the Internet. That sucks :-(.

As of Catalina, Macs no longer have to connect to the internet to be located.

How ‘Find My’ Mac works in macOS Catalina and iOS 13

Apple has created cutting-edge system that can safely, securely and privately help users find lost or stolen things.

www.computerworld.com

 

[LinkRS]

As of Catalina, Macs no longer have to connect to the internet to be located.

How ‘Find My’ Mac works in macOS Catalina and iOS 13

Apple has created cutting-edge system that can safely, securely and privately help users find lost or stolen things.

www.computerworld.com

That is awesome! Thanks I was not aware of that

Rich S.

 

[aliexp]

As of Catalina, Macs no longer have to connect to the internet to be located.

How ‘Find My’ Mac works in macOS Catalina and iOS 13

Apple has created cutting-edge system that can safely, securely and privately help users find lost or stolen things.

www.computerworld.com

I can confirm this feature do not work even on Big Sur