Setting up remote wipe on your mobile device
Remote wipe is a feature that allows you to remove all data from your mobile device should it ever get lost or stolen. The documentation below outlines the process for Android, iOS devices, and Windows 8 phones. If you are Faculty, Staff, or Student and have NMU data (email, etc..) on your device you should follow the steps below. Please note, if your device has been lost or stolen it is a good idea to let your carrier know.
- Setting up Find my iPhone (or Find My iPad or Find My iPod)
- Setting up Android Device Manager
- Setting up Find my Phone (Windows 8 phones)
You should also consider setting a passcode if you have not already done so.
iOS
Before you can locate and wipe your devices, you need to set up iCloud and turn on Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad or Find My iPod) on each of your iOS devices. Find My iPhone requires iOS 5 or later.
- On your device’s Home screen, tap Settings, then tap iCloud.
If you’re asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID or, if you don’t have one, tap Get a Free Apple ID, then follow the instructions.
- If Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad or Find My iPod) is turned off, tap to turn it on.
Once Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad or Find My iPod) is turned on, you can access the lost or erase functions through iCloud.com. You can select your device from the list in the center of the screen, once the device is found (you will see a green dot) you can activate lost mode or, in the case of a stolen device, you can issue an erase command. The erase command is permanent and will restore your device back to factory settings with all data securely removed.
Android
Android devices make use of a Google service called Android Device Manager. Before you can use Android Device Manager, you have to enable it on your device and associate your device with your Google account. If more than one person uses the device, only the device owner can turn on Android Device Manager. To turn on Android Device Manager on your device, follow the steps below.
- Open Google Settings from your device’s apps menu.
- Tap Android Device Manager.
- You have the option of turning on the following Android Device Manager options:
- Remotely locate this device. You can use Android Device manager to show your device’s location. Check the box next to “Remotely locate this device” to allow Android Device Manager to show your device’s location on Android Device Manager.
- For devices running 4.1 and higher: Location access must also be turned on. To turn it on, go to Google Settings > Location and turn the switch next to “Location” to On. When the dialog box appears, read the text and touch Agree to turn on location access.
- Allow remote lock and factory reset. You can use Android Device Manager to remotely lock your device, erase everything on it, or change the lock screen passcode. Touch the box next to “Allow remote lock and factory reset.” When the “Activate device administrator” screen appears, read the text and touch Activate to turn on the device administrator.
- Remotely locate this device. You can use Android Device manager to show your device’s location. Check the box next to “Remotely locate this device” to allow Android Device Manager to show your device’s location on Android Device Manager.
Once the Android Device Manager is active you can access the lost or erase functions through the Android Device Manager website. You can select your device and issue a lock or erase command. The erase command will restore your device back to factory settings with personal data removed.
Windows 8 Phone
Windows 8 phones make use of a Microsoft service called Find my Phone to locate and remotely wipe the device. Before you can use the Find my Phone service you will need to make sure you can log into the site windowsphone.com (you will need to sign in using your Microsoft account). Once you have verified that you can log into the site you will need to enable to service on your phone.
- In the App list, tap Settings, and then tap Find my phone.
- Select either or both of the following check boxes:
- Always use push notifications (not SMS) to send commands and apps to my phone. The Find My Phone service and the Windows Phone Store on the web use text messaging to send commands and apps to your phone. Check this option to use push notifications instead. Why? Push notifications can be faster than text messages, and if your mobile operator charges you for each incoming text message, push notifications might also be cheaper. Also, Find My Phone can only send 15 text messages to your phone in a three-day period. With push notifications, there's no limit.
- Save my phone's location periodically and before the battery runs out to make it easier to find. Microsoft can save your phone's location details every few hours so that if your phone is out of range or the battery dies, we can still show your phone's last known location on a map.
Once you have enabled these settings you can access the lost or erase functions through the windowsphone.com website. You can select your device and use the tools on the site to locate, lock, or erase the device if it has been lost or stolen.