yinyang
Retired
Well now that you've got your shiny new iPod, everyone's worst nightmare is either losing it or having it stolen.
From the number of posts here at iLounge, there are decent people out there that will gladly try and re-unite a lost iPod with it's original owner, if only they could track them down.
So the first thing we strongly urge you to do is sync your device with iTunes at least once. Then at least your iPod's serial number is located somewhere you can find it again.
You may also want to keep a copy of the serial number for yourself. It can be found:
a) on the back of the iPod near the bottom (under the XXGb logo)
b) within the iPod GUI, if you navigate to settings on the main page, you will see "About" and the serial number is displayed below the Version number
c) on the original packaging (if you still have it) there is a barcode with a Part number and the Serial Number is displayed above that.
Pictorial from Apple
d) on an Apple Mac computer (of any kind) if you search in your home directory for "com.apple.iPod.plist" this file will have the iPod's serial number as well
or you can refer to these two articles from Apple - How to find an iPod serial number or How to find a shuffle serial number
We usually suggest that anyone finding an iPod should check the "Contacts" within the iPod to see if any details are stored there, so if you create a contact titled "Me" or "The Owner" then it may make the recovery process slightly easier, as well as maybe gnaw on the conscience of the finder to try and contact you (some instructions from Apple for getting contacts onto your iPod). You can also create a .txt file with some personal details (name, phone number and email address) and copy that to the Notes section of your iPod as yet another option (Contacts and Notes are not applicable to iPod shuffles).
These steps will at least help in getting a lost iPod back to it's rightful owner via a "good Samaritan".
If you have lost your iPod and would like to use these forums to help locate it, or if you have found one and are willing to try and return it to it's rightful owner then we suggest that you add a new post to this thread providing as much information possible about when and where the iPod in question was lost or found.
If you have found an iPod, then please add a post titled Found iPod - Date & General location to this thread, eg.
Found iPod - 5th Feb 2005, Sydney Opera House
If you have lost an iPod then please title the post Lost iPod - Date & General location and follow the same procedure as above. Obviously certain details may be a bit more vague for people that lose their iPods (like exactly when it fell out of your bag..! )
In order to keep this thread as clean as possible, we would ask that only postings about Lost or Found iPods be added to this thread. Any responses or discussions concerning lost or found iPods should be conducted via the private messaging system.
It would also be advisable that any personal details be kept out of the public forums (ie phone numbers, addresses, serial numbers), and if these details need to be shared, then it should be done either via the PM system or via email. It will be entirely at your discretion as to how the iPod is returned, but please make sure that you take all the precautions necessary if meeting someone in person.
You can always contact Apple and provide them some details of where you found the iPod and Apple may be able to contact the owner on your behalf.
Hopefully most of us will never have to make use of this forum/thread, but at least there is something available to help those poor iPeople that have lost their iPods.
From the number of posts here at iLounge, there are decent people out there that will gladly try and re-unite a lost iPod with it's original owner, if only they could track them down.
So the first thing we strongly urge you to do is sync your device with iTunes at least once. Then at least your iPod's serial number is located somewhere you can find it again.
You may also want to keep a copy of the serial number for yourself. It can be found:
a) on the back of the iPod near the bottom (under the XXGb logo)
b) within the iPod GUI, if you navigate to settings on the main page, you will see "About" and the serial number is displayed below the Version number
c) on the original packaging (if you still have it) there is a barcode with a Part number and the Serial Number is displayed above that.
Pictorial from Apple
d) on an Apple Mac computer (of any kind) if you search in your home directory for "com.apple.iPod.plist" this file will have the iPod's serial number as well
or you can refer to these two articles from Apple - How to find an iPod serial number or How to find a shuffle serial number
We usually suggest that anyone finding an iPod should check the "Contacts" within the iPod to see if any details are stored there, so if you create a contact titled "Me" or "The Owner" then it may make the recovery process slightly easier, as well as maybe gnaw on the conscience of the finder to try and contact you (some instructions from Apple for getting contacts onto your iPod). You can also create a .txt file with some personal details (name, phone number and email address) and copy that to the Notes section of your iPod as yet another option (Contacts and Notes are not applicable to iPod shuffles).
These steps will at least help in getting a lost iPod back to it's rightful owner via a "good Samaritan".
If you have lost your iPod and would like to use these forums to help locate it, or if you have found one and are willing to try and return it to it's rightful owner then we suggest that you add a new post to this thread providing as much information possible about when and where the iPod in question was lost or found.
If you have found an iPod, then please add a post titled Found iPod - Date & General location to this thread, eg.
Found iPod - 5th Feb 2005, Sydney Opera House
If you have lost an iPod then please title the post Lost iPod - Date & General location and follow the same procedure as above. Obviously certain details may be a bit more vague for people that lose their iPods (like exactly when it fell out of your bag..! )
In order to keep this thread as clean as possible, we would ask that only postings about Lost or Found iPods be added to this thread. Any responses or discussions concerning lost or found iPods should be conducted via the private messaging system.
It would also be advisable that any personal details be kept out of the public forums (ie phone numbers, addresses, serial numbers), and if these details need to be shared, then it should be done either via the PM system or via email. It will be entirely at your discretion as to how the iPod is returned, but please make sure that you take all the precautions necessary if meeting someone in person.
You can always contact Apple and provide them some details of where you found the iPod and Apple may be able to contact the owner on your behalf.
Hopefully most of us will never have to make use of this forum/thread, but at least there is something available to help those poor iPeople that have lost their iPods.
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