Key Takeaways:

Use Find My Mac to locate, lock, or erase your lost device. Mark the device as lost in Find My to secure it and display a message. Report the loss to the authorities, especially if it was stolen. Remotely erase the device if necessary, but be aware of limitations. Change passwords for essential accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

If your Mac goes missing, act fast! Use Find My Mac to find, lock, and erase data. Report to the authorities, change passwords, and keep the device on the Find My for-recovery options.

Losing your Mac or any device can be upsetting. However, quick action and specific steps are essential to protect your data and increase the chances of getting your device back.

Here are 5 things to do if your Mac goes missing:

Use Find My Mac

If you turned on the “Find My Mac” feature before, use it to find your Mac’s location.

New vs. Old: What Point Does Tax Amount Stay Same in Both Systems?

Get into it through another Apple device or log into your iCloud account on a web browser. “Find My Mac” lets you lock or erase data remotely. Just sign into iCloud to locate your device. Or, use the Find My app on another Apple device you own. Find My wasn’t enabled if your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn’t listed.

Mark the Device as Lost

In Find My, Apple has a feature that lets you mark a device as “lost.” Doing this lets you remotely lock it with a passcode, keeping your information secure. It also turns off Apple Pay on the lost device. You can also display a custom message with your contact details on the lost device.

Report to the Authorities

If your Mac was stolen or you think someone took it, it’s essential to report the incident to the local police. Give them all the details, including a description of your Mac, to help their investigation.

Remotely Erase Your Device

There’s no need to worry about remotely erasing a device if you have macOS Catalina or newer, as you can still use Find My to locate the device or play a sound on it. But without this, you won’t be able to track the device or play a sound after erasing it. If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage, don’t remove the device from Find My or your Apple ID.

Change Your Passwords

To protect sensitive data, change the passwords for all critical online accounts, including email, social media, and banking. This prevents unauthorized access to your accounts through your lost Mac.