# Apple MDM Lost Mode

## What

Apple Managed Lost Mode is an MDM command for supervised iPhone and iPad devices. When FileWave places a supported device in the **Missing** Client State, FileWave sends Apple’s Lost Mode MDM command. The device is locked from use until Lost Mode is disabled by MDM.

<p class="callout warning">Managed Lost Mode applies to supervised iOS and iPadOS devices. Apple does not provide the same Managed Lost Mode workflow for macOS.</p>

## Why

Use Lost Mode when a supervised iPhone or iPad is misplaced, lost, or suspected stolen. It helps protect the device by locking the current user out while still allowing an administrator to display a recovery message, request location, and play a sound after the device receives the command.

## Information

Lost Mode is enabled by setting a supported device into the **Missing** Client State from the right-click contextual menu:

[![image.png](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2024-10/scaled-1680-/6lwnzE3UJcqhoQm6-image.png)](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2024-10/6lwnzE3UJcqhoQm6-image.png)

To disable Lost Mode, select another Client State, such as **Tracked** or **Untracked**. A Model Update is required after changing the Client State before the MDM command is sent to the device.

<p class="callout info">Devices require a network connection to receive the command to enable or disable Lost Mode.</p>

<p class="callout success">If a device is locked and cannot connect because nearby Wi-Fi networks are not configured, consider connecting the device to Ethernet. An adapter may be required.</p>

### Locating Devices

While a supported device is in Lost Mode, FileWave can help locate it in addition to keeping the device locked.

#### Location

After a supported device is set as **Missing**, location data is sent back to the FileWave Server when the device has a network connection. Location may be viewed on a map from the Client Info view, and related location data is available from Inventory Queries.

Apple’s Managed Lost Mode can request location from a supervised iPhone or iPad even if Location Services are off, and it does not require Find My to be enabled on the device.

#### Sound

Location is useful, but sometimes the device is in a bag, cupboard, or similar place. To further assist retrieval, when a supported device is in the Lost Mode **Missing** state, an additional right-click menu option is available: **Play Lost Mode Sound**. The previous volume setting is not considered; the device plays an audible set of tones.

### macOS and other Apple devices

macOS does not support Apple MDM Managed Lost Mode. For Mac, Apple provides different MDM security commands instead:

- **Lock Device:** Locks a Mac with a six-digit PIN and message. After receiving the command, the Mac restarts and cannot boot back into macOS until the PIN is entered and validated. Locking a Mac with Apple silicon requires macOS 11.5 or later.
- **Erase Device:** Remotely erases a Mac when data protection is more important than recovery.
- **Activation Lock management:** Available for supported supervised Macs with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip.

These Mac commands are separate from Managed Lost Mode and do not provide the same iOS/iPadOS Lost Mode location and sound workflow.

Apple reference: [Lock and locate Apple devices](https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/lock-and-locate-devices-depb980a0be4/web).