Keeping track of your devices
Apple, Google and Microsoft all provide functionality in their modern operating systems to remotely manage devices if you know the account associated with their device. Their remote management allows you to locate a device, make it ring or wipe all data off it.
To use it, you need to have one of the vendor’s accounts set up on the device, be running a compatible operating system and not have deactivated it. For each vendor:
| Vendor | Account | Minimum Operating System | Management Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Apple ID | iOS 5 or MacOS X 10.7.5 | http://www.icloud.com |
| Google Account | Android 2.2 | https://www.google.com.au/android/devicemanager | |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Account | Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 | https://account.microsoft.com/devices |
When you get a new device running one of the above, make sure you set up (or use an existing) account with the operating system vendor and then login to the management link for your device above and ensure it is reporting its location. If not, do a search for how to enable device management/lost phone tracking on your device.
When a device is lost, you can login to make it ring, see its location or wipe all its data. Apple and Microsoft also allows you to lock their mobile devices so they can’t be used by anyone else without you unlocking it.