Ever since the iPad was released, it has been a hot commodity. Thieves love to snatch up these devices and resell them on the black market, and they are particularly attracted to iPads because they are so popular and valuable.
We have all heard of it happening. A friend of a friend lost their iPad or iPhone to theft while they were at the mall or some other public place. It drives me crazy when I hear about these stories because it’s so preventable. This article is going to show you how to secure your iPad from theft and keep your iPad safe from opportunistic thieves.
A stolen iPad can be a pretty devastating experience. It’s not only the monetary value that is lost — but it is also the fact that your personal data (which can include a number of contacts, photos, documents, and much more) may be copied by thieves without your knowledge.
If you’re an iPad owner, you know that it’s one of the most coveted gadgets on the market. Whether it’s your own personal device or one that belongs to a business, you need to take steps to protect your device from theft.
Here are some easy ways to keep your iPad safe and sound:
How to Secure iPad From Theft
Use A Tile Tracker
To secure your iPad from theft you need to add a Tile Tracker under the cover of your iPad. Through this, you will have a GPS tracker on your iPad.
The Tile Tracker is a small device about the size of a matchbox that can be placed under the cover of an iPad. It has a 100-meter range and requires an access point to work. Once you get your iPad and set up your Tile tracker, it will work on its own and require no power from other devices.
If you are looking for an easy way to get started with tracking your devices and have peace of mind, this would be really helpful.
(Kimberly Silva | FindPeopleFirst)
Purchase A Security Lock
Putting the security settings that Apple has built into the laptop aside, the best way to secure your iPad from theft is to purchase a security lock.
A security lock uses Bluetooth to connect your iPad to a cable that attaches to something heavy, like an anchor or a table leg. The lock will keep your iPad tethered to this anchor until you’re able to get back to it and enter the appropriate code.
So if someone tries to take your iPad while you’re out in public, they’ll have no way of getting past this security system without being dragged along behind them.
If you have been to an Apple Store, you will have noticed that all of their products are tethered to the table, using these secure cable locks. Apple knows their stuff when it comes to taking care of their products!
You can use these cables by attaching them to heavy items (such as your desk), or you can attach your tablet to the inside of your bag, keeping your tablet safe at home and on the go!
(Michael Miller | VPN Online, Matthew | Legionary)
Use the iPad Lock by MacLocks
iPad Lock by MacLocks is one hell of a terrific product! I love to refer to it as the bike lock for your tablet. The MacLocks ironclad casing slips around your device and comes complete with a little “lock made of flexible steel filament and key” plug-in.
Since I got this item, thieves have not been able to steal my iPad without damaging the case which is time-consuming. They stand the chance of being seen as they struggle to destroy it, this could also lead to them damaging the iPad making it almost impossible for the thief to resell it.
Apart from the assurance that comes with this item (better than trying to track your iPad), it is stylish, lightweight, sleek, and extremely convenient.
Another method I find very convenient is using an iPad Rotation Lock. My favorite type of rotation lock is the one that allows you to attach a cable from your tablet to a stable foundation, such as a heavy table, your car desk, or dashboard.
If you have your car parked and your windows let open, or you are working in a library or surfing the internet at an open park, this lock will make it impossible for a thief to snatch your iPad.
(Mike Toney, CarDonationCenters.org)
Connect Your Travel Bag and iPad with A Short Chain
I travel a lot, which means my tablet is always with me in my backpack.
As an extra measure of security, I simply bought a cover that had space for me to create a loophole, and attach a short chain. So now whenever I am walking around with my backpack I simply attach the short chain to an insert in the bag and onto the tablet, meaning they are connected.
If anybody were to try and take the tablet, it is going to take an extra bit of work, and I’m going to feel a pull on my back, allowing me to quickly turn around and hopefully stop any theft.
I advise using a shorter chain though, this makes it more difficult to get at, and will also prevent the chain from damaging the screen if it is bouncing about in the bag.
It is a pretty DIY solution, but great for those on a budget, and I haven’t had my tablet stolen yet, so that is definitely a good sign.
(Jeremy Scott Foster | TravelFreak)
Use the PacSafe Travel Bag for iPad
The Pacsafe Travel Bag for iPad is designed to protect your tablet from theft and damage. The bag features anti-theft technology that uses lightweight steel mesh that can’t be cut, plus lockable zippers for extra security.
With a built-in RFID blocking pocket, this bag will keep your credit card/IDs protected while you’re on the go.
(Alex Smith | Luckybobbleheads)
Keep It In A Safe Place When You’re Not Using It
One of the best ways to secure your iPad from theft is to keep it in a safe place when you’re not using it. If you’re carrying it with you, make sure to keep it in a secure bag or case. When you’re at home, keep it in a drawer or cabinet where it can’t be easily seen or reached.
Additionally, there are a number of software options you can use to further secure your iPad from theft.
- Find My iPhone is a great option that allows you to track your iPad if it’s lost or stolen.
- You can also use a passcode lock to prevent anyone from accessing your device if it’s lost or stolen.
- Lastly, try to use a case or cover for your iPad that will make it more difficult to snatch away. There are a number of cases available that include built-in security features, such as locks or alarms, that can help deter thieves.
(Justin Gasparovic | The Enemy of Average)
Use an iPad Case that Looks Like Something Else
The composition notebook cover is just one example, but it makes an iPad look like a simple notebook that would be useless to others. No one will get any value from stealing your notes from the class you are taking.
I am careful where I leave my iPad, but this helps me be more confident when setting it down in a coffee shop or other public location. It won’t stop everyone, especially someone who is watching you and your devices carefully, but it will stop an opportunistic thief who is just walking past your table.
The composition notebook cover is great because the notebook is something we have seen so many times and stop paying attention to.
It also gets laughs from people who see it for what it is and is a great conversation starter. People instantly see it as a great idea and way to hide their tablet. I have referred a number of people to Fintie and Etsy for their own composition notebook iPad covers.
(James Wilson | My Data Removal)
Hide Your iPad in Plain Sight
There are some things you can do to protect your iPad from being accessed by people you do not know or trust once it has already been stolen. However, you want to try and avoid it being taken altogether which is why you should always try to hide or disguise your iPad in public.
Out of sight, out of mind is what you should be thinking when you want to keep your iPad safe and secure. If people do not know you have one on you, they are less likely to try and take it.
Placing your iPad in a secure opaque case, or in something that disguises it, can be helpful. There are many different ways in which you can hide it, including using a large book cover (to make it look like a book) or wrapping it up in a sweater or piece of clothing when carrying it in public.
Disguising your iPad will help to keep it safe, and discourage people from trying to take it.
Add Your iPad to The Find My App
There are ways in which you can secure your iPad that will dramatically increase your chances of recuperating it in case of theft. I personally recovered my own iPad following these steps when I lost it at a coffee shop.
The first thing you want to do is to secure your iPad with a pin of length 4 or higher. Secondly, add your iPad to the Find My app on your phone or mac computer. This is the most important app and the only one you will need to help you recover your iPad in case of theft.
Enable the Notify When Left Behind option which will alert you when the iPad is left behind or taken away from you. This feature gives you the option to add your home, office location, or any other location where it is safe to leave the iPad around without the risk of getting it stolen.
If lost or stolen, you can activate Mark As Lost. This option will immediately block the iPad and prevent the holder from using it. This activation process will enable you to enter a phone number that the person in possession of the iPad can use to call you back on.
You also have the option to type a detailed message that will display on the locked screen of the iPad. This will help you to alert the person that you are the owner of the iPad and get instructions on how to return it back to you. You can choose the app to notify you when found as well as receive email messages about it.
You can also choose to play a loud sound to alert those in possession of the iPad. This app also gives you the approximate location where the iPad was last pinged. This may serve as a way for you to alert the authorities of the whereabouts of the unit where an officer can go in and attempt to retrieve it for you.
Lastly, if you suspect that the iPad will not return, you have the option to select Erase This Device which will remote wipe the iPad preventing third parties from accessing or retrieving your information.
(Mauricio Sanchez | Vitals.Agency)
Protect your iPad with the OutdoorMaster Sling Bag
If you are carrying your iPad out and about with you, you want to intentionally choose a good bag that will keep it safe from pick-pocketers. The bag that I would recommend is the OutdoorMaster Sling Bag.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | QutdoorMaster Sling Bag, Hiking Daypack, Crossbody Shoulder Chest Urban Outdoor Travel Backpack for... | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2023-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s large enough to fit iPads of any size, and it has a hidden, anti-theft storage pocket. Not only is this kind of bag harder to pickpocket because of its design and zipper openings, but it has a specific, anti-theft pocket dedicated to hiding your valuables.
(Christen Costa | Gadget Review)
Use An Anti-theft Cable Lock
Because I work from home more often than not, I occasionally head out to my local coffee shop for a change of scenery while working. In the interest of packing light, I often take my tablet instead of my laptop. Of course, this makes it an easier target for thieves, as tablets are easy to grab and run.
I chose to sit outside on a particularly nice spring day, with my tablet, and my coffee. A would-be thief tried to grab my tablet, quite literally from my hands, and run with it.
He didn’t get very far, as I had gotten a tablet lock. It’s like a bicycle lock for your tablet. I always attach the cable to my chair. I figure if they’re going to grab my tablet, they’re going to have to drag me along with it.
The thief made it a few steps away, but he dropped the tablet as soon as he hit the end of the cable. He clearly wasn’t expecting to hit any resistance. My tablet survived the ruckus and was completely saved by my $20 tablet lock.
Travel Safely with An Anti-Theft Bag
Your electronics are at a greater risk for theft when traveling, so having an anti-theft travel briefcase can be an excellent way to keep your iPad, laptop, and other electronics safe.
I would personally recommend the Vaultz Locking Briefcase, which has a combination lock.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vaultz Locking Briefcase - 18 x 14.25 x 5 Inch Combination Lock Hard Laptop Case w/Strap -... | $68.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2023-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When you’re traveling through an airport, or when you’re leaving your iPad behind in your hotel room while you go out for the day, this item prevents your electronics from being accessed or stolen.
(Kristen Bolig | Security Nerd)
Turn Off Siri Access When Your iPad Is Locked
The truth is, once someone has physically stolen your iPad, there’s little anyone can do to completely protect their data. But that doesn’t mean we should make it easy for them.
One quick tip I recommend for security on all Apple devices is to limit Siri’s capabilities. You might not think about it, but Siri can actually access info on your device before you enter in your passcode or any biometrics.
If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend that you turn off Siri under the Allow Access When Locked in Settings > Siri & Search. Siri will now only respond once the passcode has been entered, which can be a slight inconvenience for truly hands-free use but is a quick and simple step to securing your iPad or iPhone.
More intensive steps are device encryption and setting up a data wipe after 10 incorrect passcode attempts, but this isn’t always feasible for every user.
Conclusion
We hope this has been a helpful guide for you! We know that securing their iPad is a top priority for many of our readers, and we’re glad to have been able to help.
As always, if you have any questions about this guide or any other security-related questions, feel free to reach out and ask! We’re here for you.
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