Make it easy for a lost iPad/iPhone to be returned by putting contact details on the lock screen!

In my last article (The saga of the iPad 'lost at' school), I suggested that it is a good idea to create a Lock Screen wallpaper for your iPad and iPhone - one that has your contact details on it.

If your device is locked by a passcode lock (which it should be!), this offers an easy way for a person who has found your locked device to work out how to make contact with you.  (This, of course, assumes that they want to return it to you!)

Having your contact details on the lock screen means that you may not then need to rely on sending your contact details using Lost Mode in Find My iPhone - a feature which which won't work if the device has no internet connection.

An example of a Lock Screen Wallpaper with contact details 

Here is my most recently created Lock Screen wallpaper, featuring my wonderful family at my daughter's recent 21st.   (Click on it to see a larger version).

I tend to change mine regularly to feature different photos.  My 21yo's 'then' and 'now' photo will have 'pride of place' for a little while.

But how is it possible to create such a custom wallpaper?

Well, here are some options to consider ...

Download an App that is specifically designed to help you create a wallpaper with contact details on it.  

A couple of examples of such apps are

• If Found Lock Screen
• Homescreen
• Simplique
• ICE

Download an App that allows you to add text on any photo

There are quite few apps out there that allow you to put text - some with a variety of fonts, colours and effects - onto your photos.  Here are just some of them.

• Quick
• aNote
• Leonardo
• Phonto
• Over
• CameraPlus
• Check out this article for more options:  9 Outstanding Apps for Adding Text to Your Photos                                                                

Create the image using a tool like Powerpoint on your Mac (this was my method)

I used this method, because it allowed me a lot of flexibility in how I created my collage of images with the text.  

Powerpoint is great for creating any sort of image that you need.  I use it all the time for the images in my blog articles and on my website!  

• Insert one or more photos into your Powerpoint slide
• Resize them, and, if necessary put a background behind them.  Make sure to use the dimensions of the screen you are creating for (ie iPhone or iPad)
• Add a text box with your contact details.  
• Select all the objects, right-click and choose Save As Picture to create the image.  
• Airdrop the photo to your iPhone or iPad (or perhaps just send it to yourself if you don't have Airdrop)

Once you have created your Wallpaper image ...

Having created the Wallpaper and saved it in your Photos app, you can then add it to your Lock Screen.

• Choose the 'Share' symbol (square with upwards arrow)
• Choose the 'Use as Wallpaper' option.  Simple!

A tip just in case it hasn't occurred to you - make sure you don't include your mobile number on the lock screen of your iPhone, as that won't do you much good if the good samaritan tries to call you using that number! 

Have you heard about the Medical ID feature on your iPhone?

Did you know that there is another place that you can record 'contact' details for anyone that finds your locked iPhone, and needs to find out something about you?  

Perhaps you have had a health issue or an accident, and the person needs to quickly find out 'next of kin' contact information from your iPhone.  

This is called the 'Medical ID', an iOS 8 feature which is accessible from the Lock Screen (ie the device does not need to be unlocked to access this information).    This Medical ID area also allows you to include information about blood type, whether you are an organ donor, height, weight, etc.  This could come in very useful in an emergency.

Find out more about this feature in an upcoming Handy Hint article!