Put your contact details on your MacBook's lock screen

Why it happens

A locked Mac says nothing about its owner, so someone who finds it has no idea who to call. A short message on the lock screen gives them a way to reach you without getting into the Mac. Find My Mac adds a map and lets you lock the Mac remotely if it goes missing.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click Lock Screen in the sidebar.

2. Turn on Show message when locked and click Set…. Type something short, like "If found, please call" followed by a number or email, then click Done.

   Lock Screen›Show message when locked

3. Press Control-Command-Q to lock your screen and check how the message looks. Log back in as usual.

4. Now click your Apple Account name at the top of the sidebar, then iCloud, then See All. Make sure Find My Mac is on. If it's off, click Turn On, then Allow.

   Apple Account›iCloud›See All›Find My Mac

5. If Find My shows a warning, turn on Location Services in Privacy & Security.

   Privacy & Security›Location Services

Still not fixed?

1. Pick contact details that still work if your phone goes missing with the Mac, such as an email address or a second number.

2. Already lost it? On your iPhone, iPad or another Mac, open Find My, choose the Mac under Devices and use Mark As Lost. It locks the Mac and shows your message and number on its screen.

   Find My›Devices

3. If the message doesn't show on the lock screen, turn Show message when locked off and on again, then lock the screen to check.

4. If your Mac was stolen, report it to the police. Contact Apple Support if you need help with your Apple Account or Activation Lock on that Mac.