Your iPhone is lost and you don't know how to find it. Fortunately, there's a native Apple feature that can help you locate your missing device. In this article, I'll explain what Find My iPhone is and show you how to use it!
What Is Find My iPhone?
Find My iPhone is location tracking application for iOS devices, Apple Watches, AirPods, and Macs. If Find My iPhone is turned on, you can log into your iCloud account and find your missing device on an interactive map.
When you log into your iCloud account, you have a few options. You can play an alert on your Apple device, which will help you quickly locate it if it's nearby. You can also activate Lost Mode or delete all the data on your device.
We only recommend deleting everything on your device if you're certain it was stolen. Deleting all the data will prevent the thief from stealing your personal information too!
How To Turn On Find My iPhone
To turn on Find My iPhone, you must first log into your iCloud account at iCloud.com. Next, click Find iPhone.
You'll have to reenter your iCloud password before you can access the map of all your devices. Once you reach the map, you can see the locations of your devices, which are represented by green circles.
If you click on one of the circles, you can see which specific device it is. Next, click on the information button (i inside a circle). This is where you can play a sound, enter Lost Mode, or erase your iPhone.
What Happens If I Click Play Sound?
A tone will play on your iPhone when you click Play Sound. This is a very useful feature, especially if you lost your iPhone nearby, like in between your couch cushions.
However, it's also useful if you left your device behind somewhere. The alert (it's very loud) will get the attention of people nearby and your device will display a message indicating that a Find My iPhone Alert has been manually initiated.
My Device Ran Out Of Battery Life. Will Find My iPhone Still Work?
Find My iPhone only works if your device has battery life remaining. You won't be able to play a sound, enter Lost Mode, or device your device if it has no battery life.
If You Don't Own Any Other iCloud Devices
When you log into iCloud, you're required to verify your identity baby entering a six-digit code. However, you may have just lost your only verification device! Fortunately, you can always log into iCloud using someone else's device.
Lost Mode and Erase iPhone
If your device has fallen into the wrong hands, you can use Lost Mode or Erase iPhone to make sure your information doesn’t get leaked.
Lost Mode completely locks down your device so no one can access the information on it. The information on your device won't be deleted.
If you decide you want to delete all the data on your iPhone, you can use Erase iPhone to do so. We typically don't recommend using Erase iPhone unless you're beyond the point of no return.
Can I Turn Off Find My iPhone On My iPhone?
Yes, Find My iPhone can be turned off, with one important caveat. In order to turn off Find My iPhone, you'll have to enter your Apple ID and password. This is an important security measure because it prevents a thief from turning it off on their own, which would prevent you from tracking down your iPhone.
To turn off Find My iPhone, open Settings and tap on your name at the very top of the menu. Continue by tapping iCloud -> Find My iPhone. Tap the switch next to Find My iPhone to turn it off.
You'll be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password before Find My iPhone can be turned off. Confirm your decision by tapping Turn Off when the pop-up appears.
Now Find Your iPhone!
By enabling Find My iPhone, you will now be able to trace any of your Apple devices if it gets stole or misplaced. Leave any related Find My iPhone questions in the comments section below, and good luck finding your iPhone!
