Changes Apple Should Make To Find My iPhone App

Find My iPhone

 There was a time when iPhone thefts were so prevelant and the unfortunate owners would cry foul all over the world. This has prompted iPhone users, enthusiats and sympathizers to urge Apple to find a solution to the problem and thus Find My iPhone app was introduced in 2010.

The thefts started to go down but the numbers increased once the perpetrators got wind of how to handle a device with the app. The main issue here is the fact that feature only works if the phone is on and at the same time Data or WiFi is enabled.

The potential issue here is that if the app can only work when it is connected connected to the internet, anyone can steal the Apple device and wipe it clean. Once the device is wiped clean and a fresh new operating system is installed, all hope is gone and the victim can never find their beloved device. The fact that an iPhone can be switched off when it is in a locked state by anyone is the main vulnerability that is being exploited by the thiefs.
The activation lock that is supposed to prevent the thief from deactivating the tracking feature is rendered useless if one can simply just switch off the iPhone and do a clean swipe.

Here are a few suggestions that I would like Apple to integrate into their Find My iPhone app

The passcode
Apple should make it impossible to switch off an iPhone or iPad when it is in the lock mode without entering the passcode first. That should be an easy fix.

Compulsory iCloud account
Apple should also make it a must for every iPhone or iPad user to have an iCloud account or else the device will not work. This can prove to be a controversial fix but it is in the best interest of every Apple iPhone or iPad owner especially those that are law abiding.

iCloud info stored
With every phone associated with an iCloud account, the device details such as the model, serial number and IMEI should all be entered automatically and stored in the iCloud account under its respective device.

iCloud traps
Each device on any iCloud device can only be registered to one iCloud device. John Apleseed's iPhone can not be registered under his own iCloud account and that of Tim Cook's at the same time. If John Appleseed sold his iPhone or permanently gifted it to Tim Cook, then John should indicate in his iCloud account that he had forfeited ownership of the device. Tim Cook will then enter his iCloud details on the iPhone and wait for final conformation that John has approved the transfer and Tim is now the official owner.

I believe a two step process should be used when transferring ownerhip of the device to another iCloud account. The current owner who is John should first tick a box that says forfeit the deivice in order to allow another user say Tim to add it to their iCloud account but Tim cannot use it yet. Once the device is registered to Tim's iCloud account, the forfeit button on John's iCloud acccount would be disabled and a new approve transfer to "Tim" would appear sort of the same thing you do when accepting a new friend request on Facebook. Once John accepts the transfer, the device would be erased from John's iCloud account and only appear on Tim's iCloud account thus making him the new legitimate owner.

If the above mentioned changes are adopted, then there is no way someone can attempt to register the device because it will be listed as lost and would be forever locked unless returned to the current owner. The idea behind this change is to prevent people from exporting the Apple device to other states or countries. The fact that the serial number and IMEI is part of the information stored under the iCloud account, a stolen iPhone or iPad would forever be rendered un-useable regardless of whether a clean swipe has been performed.

Do you think these changes are good enough to bring iPhone, iPad and Mac thefts to an end? If so, sign this article with a comment and lets lobby Apple engineers to seriously consider these three simple fixes.