Why can't apple track stolen ipods

Why can't apple block stolen ipods from being used again?  There should be a reporting line so they can't be traded in or resold.

How would you certify that you were the original owner?  How would you stop a spiteful X-girl/boy friend from using personal knowledge to report your device stolen and get it disabled?  There are lots of ways a service like this could be abused.
You can setup your iPod Touch via iCloud so that you can disable your iPod Touch remotely, if it goes on-line without being wiped first.  That means you are in control, and Apple does not need to certify it is really you.  If you use an insecure password, or allow your X (or other) to have access to your password, it is your responsibility.
Apple most likely would not like to be in the law enforcement business.  Less liability.

Similar Messages

  • Stolen - Why can't apple track?

    My one-month old ipod nano was stolen out of my house yesterday. While I am extremely bummed that it is gone, I was somewhat comforted knowing that whoever swiped it couldn't use it since I registered it. But now I discover that the whole registration thing is a crock! It doesn't protect me from theft (not sure it ever claimed it did but I thought it was some sort of safety mechanism).
    At the very least why can't Apple just set up a system where if someone reports a stolen ipod, they flag the serial number, and if it is used they will give the information to the police?
    I'm pretty upset right now but that does not at all seem unreasonable to me and actually, I was telling a co-worker about it this morning and she also has an ipod and she thought the whole registration thing would prevent someone else from using it as well.

    Your refrigerator can fit in a thief's pocket, eh?
    I had my car broken into 3 days ago and lost a 60GB Vid iPod. Well hidden away, but connected to a Harman/Kardon Drive + Play.
    In Australia, I have notified Apple (ph: 133 MAC) and they have flagged the iPod as stolen. They also took the Police Report case no. If this iPod goes in for a service, battery replacement, etc... it will sound alarms (figuratively) and the cops & I will be notified.
    The bad news is I have to wait for this event to happen (if ever).
    Although US constitutional laws prevent covert tracking of these devices (something about protecting the 'civil liberties' of thieves), these laws do not apply in Australia, so why can't a flagged serial number and IP address be forwarded to local authorites? We have the technology, gentlemen, and email is free.
    This would have to be an excellent iPod theft deterrent (win for me) and would free up some server space on this board that seems to be quickly filling up with threads titled "Stolen iPod" (win for you).

  • Why can't iTunes track your ipod's serial number when it is synced to iTunes?

    I was wondering Why, if your iPod is stolen, iTunes cannot track your ipod's serial number when it is synced to iTunes.. I've had my iPod touch almost a year now and it is registered in my name and everything. This past weekend someone somehow got into my car while at a concert and stole my purse, my ipod, my friend's ipod and wallet.  I didn't think to file a police report because I figuered there would be nothing they can do. Since, a lot of people buy and sell iPods all of the time from one another instead of from a store.  I thought to let it go, but it keeps haunting me, someone has access to a lot of my person information. This hit me when at work, I was using Pandora internet radio, and someone deleted all of my radio stations and added their own. They are still using it till this day and I have no clue what to do, I've changed my password to Pandora even.  I know it's being used via my iPod from my Pandora app, I regreat not downloading the new ios5 on my iPod... So, I really have no further idea of what to do. I contacted Pandora in hopes they could change my account password or delete it or something, I just hope they haven't used any thing else important. I really wish it were possible for iTunes to track an iPods Serial number when the iPod is either synced to iTunes / iTunes store.. If it were possible, I wish they could help me out and at least lock my prior iPod or hopefully delete everything from that.. I don't have much hope in this though :/

    Thanks for the suggestions... tried tehm but no luck so I've taken it back. I think I'll try a Samsung (only other ones I've found with a Sleep Function) and move to Audible instead of iTunes. A shame after years of iTunes use but I shouldn't have to spend days getting a product to work. Thanks again.

  • Since Apple's data base has been accessed by burglars, why can't Apple track serial numbers?

    If Apple's data base is accessed by people  like this, why can't the same data base be used to track ownership?  MOst Apple users sign on to itunes and share their system information.  Would it not make sense to share the serial numbers with a reporting system?
    If I call into the local Apple store, will I receive any support in locating my systems or will they want to sell me an app to track them?
    The data is available for Apple to promote an independent recovery sytem...why don't they?  Is there no money in it?
    <Edited By Host>

    why can't the local Apple store access the national data base and find out where it was being serviced.
    They can do that now, if the system is at an authorized service center. It's highly unlikely that a stolen system would just happen to have been checked into a service center at the time you happen to look, though. I also doubt that Apple would provide that information to you just on your request.
    As to the report you are referencing, is it coinicidence homes with multiple Apple systems were targeted?  In my neighborhood, only homes with more than two Imacs were hit...and only Apple systems were taken.
    Such information would not be available to any burglar, nor has there been even a rumor that Apple's internal customer databases have every been compromised. So yes, it was either coincidence or the burglars casing the premises, not at all hard to do. It's even often possible by doing a scan of someone's WiFi network; few people have theirs adequately secured.
    Apple is not law enforcement. It's not their job to try and track stolen property; that's the job for the police. There's nothing further to be said.

  • Why can't Apple just make iPod touches customizable like jailbroken ones (of course without free apps and stuff like that)

    I think that apple should make their ios devices customizable like a jailbroken one. For an example, users could be able to change themes, or change what kind of passcode they have.

    Yes, this is a very wide debate, but there are many reasons why apple doesn't do that aswell. Apple does its best to match the ios to its hardware and you can only have that many features on your device before it crashes down. Jail broken devices currently use cydia, and that a very open source that lets nearly anyone post a lot of things that could be bad for your device, if apple had some sort of built in software like that, they would have to fix every problem that comes up which would cost the way too much money. That's why jail breaking your device voids it's warranty.

  • Why can't Apple help track stolen iPods

    I had my iPod stolen sometime between curbside check-in and baggage pick-up during a recent trip on American Airlines from Dallas to St Louis. Someone found my 30GB iPod that I had hidden in the pocket of a pair of jeans in my checked baggage. I have the serial number and feel that Apple could help, through itunes, provide some way of tracking.
    Any thoughts?

    A computer need never be connected to the internet in order to use an iPod with iTunes, so Apple have no process in place to either report or track stolen iPods. All you can do is report the theft to the Police together with the serial number, and if your iPod was registered with Apple when you first got it, they will assist the Police in returning it to you should it ever be recovered.

  • Can apple track a ipod touch if lost

    can apple track an ipod touch if lost?

    No.
    What To Do If Your iDevice Is Lost Or Stolen
    If you activated Find My Phone before it was lost or stolen, you can track it only if Wi-Fi is enabled on the device. What you cannot do is track your device using a serial number or other identifying number. You cannot expect Apple or anyone else to find your device for you. You cannot recover your loss unless you insure your device for such loss. It is not covered by your warranty.
    If your iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, or iPad is lost or stolen what do you do? There are things you should have done in advance - before you lost it or it was stolen - and some things to do after the fact. Here are some suggestions:
    This link, Re: Help! I misplaced / lost my iPhone 5 today morning in delta Chelsea hotel downtown an I am not able to track it. Please help!, has some good advice regarding your options when your iDevice is lost or stolen.
      1. Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product
      2. Find my lost iPod Touch
      3. AT&T. Sprint, and Verizon can block stolen phones/tablets
      4. What-To-Do-When-Iphone-Is-Stolen
      5. What to do if your iOS device is lost or stolen
      6. 6 Ways to Track and Recover Your Lost/Stolen iPhone
      7. Find My iPhone
      8. Report Stolen iPad | Stolen Lost Found Online
    It pays to be proactive by following the advice on using Find My Phone before you lose your device:
      1. Find My iPhone
      2. Setup your iDevice on iCloud
      3. OS X Lion/Mountain Lion- About Find My Mac
      4. How To Set Up Free Find Your iPhone (Even on Unsupported Devices)

  • Why can't apple make there mins up and support ios6 siri to 4th generation ipod touch

    Really all the tilte says all. Is there any any chance apple will release a siri app for older ipod.

    To answer the question in your title;
    Why can't apple make there mins up and support ios6 siri to 4th generation ipod touch
    They have made up their minds. It isn't available for older iPod Touch models.

  • HT201472 Why can't Apple turn on the Find My iPhone feature if it's been stolen?

    A friend of mine's house was robbed this morning. They lost tens of thousands of dollars worth of belongings, including a new ipad 4. They have icloud on the device... and had the Find My iPhone app on other devices, but not the new ipad. In extreme cases, why can't Apple remotely turn on the Find My iPhone feature? If they could find the ipad it could lead them to the people who stole everything else from them.

    The suggestions has, more or less, been implemented in iOS 7: with iOS 7, you can make stolen devices unusable, and still display a text that might allow them to be recovered. See, for instance, http://www.imore.com/ios-7-preview-activation-lock-aims-keep-out-crooks

  • TS4006 how can i locate a STOLEN ipod immediantly ?

    How can i LOCATE a STOLEN ipod ?

    It can only be located if you enabled Find My iPod on it before it was stolen.  It also would have to have be turned on with connection to the internet and still have your iCloud settings intact in order for it to be tracked.  (Unfortunately, criminals often restore them as new devices so they cannot be tracked.)
    If you enabled this before it was stolen, you can try going to icloud.com on your computer to track it as described here: http://help.apple.com/icloud/#mmfc0f2442.

  • Can the police track your ipod using the serial number?

    can the police track your ipod using the serial number?

    No. The SN will only help identify the iPod as yours if it is recovered.
    - If you previously turned on FIndMyiPod on the iPod in Settings>iCloud and wifi is on and connected go to iCloud: Find My iPhone, sign in and go to FIndMyiPhone. If the iPod has been restored it will never show up.
    - You can also wipe/erase the iPod and have the iPod play a sound via iCloud.
    - If not shown, then you will have to use the old fashioned way, like if you lost a wallet or purse.
    - Change the passwords for all accounts used on the iPod and report to police
    - There is no way to prevent someone from restoring the iPod (it erases it) using it.
    - Apple will do nothing without a court order                         
    Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product                              
    - iOS: How to find the serial number, IMEI, MEID, CDN, and ICCID number

  • Why can I upgrade my mc086bt (iPod 3g) to ios 5? it says I have the current version

    Why can I upgrade my mc086bt (iPod 3g) to ios 5? it says I have the current version

    You probably have a 2G iPod and those can only go to 4.2.1.  If 8 or 16 GB it is a 2G. A 32 GB can be either . To identify yours:
    Apple - Support - Check Your Service and Support Coverage
    or
    Identifying iPod models

  • Why Can't I Update My Ipod Classic to 2.0.5

    Dear Apple
    I have heard that there is a 2.0.5 version for the IPod Classic but when i go to itunes and click on check for updates
    it says 2.0.4 is the latest version why can't i update my ipod classic is there a problem please help me beacuse i dont
    understand it Thank You.

    I am posting here in case someone can enlighten me.
    My wife recently acquired an iPod classic 160 GB (MC297 – 2.0.4) and because of the volume cap imposed by EU, this it is not enough for me. I want to buy one too but with firmware 2.0.5 were I can chose to remove the EU volume cap.
    The problem is, not only Apple doesn’t let you upgrade 2.0.4 to 2.0.5 but they also do not print on the box what firmware comes with the iPod that’s inside.
    Also, most shops will not just unsealed the iPod for you to confirm what firmware are you “buying”.
    I have been into a shop with an iPod on firmware 2.0.5 on display and the serial was 8K….ZU which by doing a search on Apple’s website, it was made late 2009. My wife’s iPod serial number starts and finishes with the exact number/letters, thus also being “late 2009” but with 2.0.4 firmware.
    In other words, while I am aiming to get an iPod with the 2.0.5 firmware, it seems virtually impossible to be absolutely sure what are you getting inside the box.
    Does anyone know what serial numbers are comprised the iPods with 2.0.5 firmware.
    Also, the model of my wife’s iPod 2.0.4 is MC 297 QL/A. Does anyone knows what the “QL/A” stands for? I seems to remember that the iPod on firmware 2.0.5 being a QL/C but in can’t remember for sure.
    Any help would be appreciated.

  • Can i locate a stolen ipod on the internet?

    can i locate a stolen ipod via the internet?
    hello?

    Only if you had set up FindMyiPod prior to losing it.  If you did, you might be able to locate it via iCloud.  Browse out to https://www.icloud.com/ and log in with your Apple ID and choose Find My IPhone.
    Keep in mind that in order to locate it via Find My IPhone, the device needs to be connected to a nearby Wi-Fi network, and must not have been restored by anybody who might have found it.
    See this article for more information.
    Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product
    Report the stolen device to the local authorities and change any and all passwords to accounts you may have set up or used on the device.
    B-rock

  • Can we lock a stolen IPOD touch?

    can we lock a stolen IPOD touch from our other devices

    lost/stolen                                      
    No app on the iPod is required.                            
    - If you previously turned on FIndMyiPod on the iPod in Settings>iCloud and wifi is on and connected, on a computer browser go to iCloud: Find My iPhone, sign in and go to FIndMyiPhone. If the iPod has been restored it will never show up.
    - You can also wipe/erase the iPod and have the iPod play a sound via iCloud.
    - If not shown, then you will have to use the old fashioned way, like if you lost a wallet or purse.
    - Change the passwords for all accounts used on the iPod and report to police
    - There is no way to prevent someone from restoring the iPod (it erases it) using it unless you had iOS 7 on the device. With iOS 7, one has to enter the Apple ID and password to restore the device.
    - Apple will do nothing without a court order                                                        
    Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product                                               
    - iOS: How to find the serial number, IMEI, MEID, CDN, and ICCID number

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