Since the introduction of the unified "Find My" app, Apple has worked to significantly improve the "Find My" experience - with success. But iOS 15 will also bring new features. The new features include live locations and the ability to locate an iPhone even if it has been erased or turned off.
When users track a friend or family member using the Find My app, they will now see continuous streaming updates of their current location. Currently, this only works by having the app update their location every few minutes. Apple says this feature is designed to give users an immediate sense of speed, direction and progress when tracking someone's location.
Locate lost devices – even when they are turned off
Devices that have been turned off can still be located in iOS 15 using the "Find My" network function. In concrete terms, this means that if a device has a low battery or has been turned off by a thief, it can still be found as long as it is near another Apple device. The "Find My" network is a function that Apple introduced with iOS 13, which allows Apple devices to be located even without a WiFi or cellular connection by using other iPhones, iPads, and Macs nearby. But in iOS 15, Apple has expanded the functionality of the "Find My" network so that the app also works with devices that are turned off. However, this has been limited to iPhones that have the U1 chip, i.e. iPhone 11 or newer.
Find lost devices that have been deleted
But that's not all. If someone steals your iPhone and then deletes it, it will still appear in the Find My iPhone app in iOS 15 and will still be discoverable thanks to the new feature. The feature is linked to Activation Lock, which prevents anyone from using your iPhone without your Apple ID and password.
separation warnings
With Separation Alerts, the Find My app can let you know when an iPhone or iPad has been left behind by alerting you on one of the other devices you have with you. Separation Alerts also work with AirTags and third-party accessories that are integrated with the Find My network. So if you leave a wallet or house keys at a bar after leaving the premises with your iPhone, your iPhone will let you know. Separation Alerts can be turned on in the Find My app and must be enabled for each individual item you own. You can also set exceptions so you don't get an alert if you intentionally leave something at home.
AirPods are also taken into account
The Find My network lets AirPods Pro and AirPods Max communicate with other users' Apple devices, so you can locate them even when they're out of range of your own devices. You can use this method to get an approximate location. Apple says it's designed to help you get within Bluetooth range so you can enable the Play a Sound feature to track them down.
Find My Widget
There is now a Find My widget that users can add to the home screen or Today view to see items at a glance without having to open the Find My app. Widgets come in two sizes, small and medium, and can be used to track people or items. The People widget tracks your friends and family members who have location sharing enabled, while the Items widget tracks your AirTag items and third-party accessories that use the Find My network. Tapping on any of the Find My widgets opens the full Find My app. (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
