How to Turn On and Use Find My iPhone

Find My iPhone lets you locate a lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, or Mac from another device

Find My iPhone is a built-in Apple service that shows you where your device is on a map, lets you play a sound to find it nearby, or remotely erase it if it's gone for good. You access it through iCloud.com from any web browser, or through the Find My app on another Apple device. The service works only if you turned it on before your device went missing — you cannot turn it on remotely.

To use Find My iPhone, you need an Apple ID (the account you use to sign into your device), an internet connection, and access to another device or a computer. If your iPhone is off, in airplane mode, or has no battery, Find My iPhone cannot locate it, but it will show you the last place it was seen before it went offline.

Key Takeaways

Find My iPhone only works if you turned it on in Settings before your device was lost, so set it up now even if your phone is safe.
You can access Find My iPhone from iCloud.com using any computer, or from the Find My app on an iPad, Mac, or another iPhone.
A lost device must be powered on and connected to the internet for Find My iPhone to show its current location.
You can play a sound on your device, put it in Lost Mode to lock it remotely, or erase it completely if you believe it has been stolen.

Turn on Find My iPhone before you need it

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name at the top. Tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap Find My. Tap Find My iPhone and turn on the toggle switch next to it — it will turn green. You may be asked to confirm your Apple ID password.

This is the only step that matters. If Find My iPhone is off when your device goes missing, you cannot turn it on remotely, and you will not be able to locate it. If it is already on, you are ready to use the service whenever you need it.

If you have multiple Apple devices, repeat this step on each one. Find My iPhone works separately for each device, so turning it on for your iPhone does not automatically turn it on for your iPad or Mac.

Access Find My iPhone from a computer

Go to iCloud.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Find My iPhone (it may appear as Find My on newer versions). A map will open showing all your devices that have Find My turned on.

Click the device you are looking for in the list on the left side of the screen. A pin will appear on the map showing its location. The accuracy depends on whether the device has GPS, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and how recently it connected to the internet — a device in a building may show a general area rather than an exact room.

If your device is offline, the map will show the last location where it was seen before it went offline. This location may be hours or days old depending on when the device last had power and internet.

Access Find My iPhone from another Apple device

Open the Find My app on an iPad, Mac, or another iPhone. Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted. Tap or click the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all your devices that have Find My turned on.

Tap or click the device you are looking for. A map will open showing its location. The interface is the same as iCloud.com — you will see the device's current location if it is online, or its last known location if it is offline.

The Find My app is faster than using iCloud.com if you already have another Apple device nearby, and it does not require you to remember your Apple ID password.

Play a sound to find your device nearby

If your iPhone is in your home or office and you just need to locate it, play a sound on it. From iCloud.com or the Find My app, select your device and click or tap Play Sound. Your iPhone will play a loud alert for two minutes, even if it is on silent mode.

This works only if your device is powered on and has an internet connection. If your iPhone is dead or in airplane mode, no sound will play.

Playing a sound does not lock your device or erase any data. It is the safest first step if you think your phone is nearby but you cannot find it.

Lock your device remotely with Lost Mode

If you believe your iPhone has been stolen or lost far from home, put it in Lost Mode. From iCloud.com or the Find My app, select your device and click or tap Lost Mode. You will be asked to enter a passcode (different from your device passcode) and a phone number where someone can reach you.

Once Lost Mode is on, your device will lock immediately. The passcode you entered is now required to unlock it — the thief or finder cannot access your photos, messages, or payment information without this new passcode. Your custom message and phone number will appear on the lock screen so someone who finds it can contact you.

Lost Mode also stops Apple Pay from working on the device, preventing someone from using your stored payment methods. You can turn off Lost Mode later if you find your device, or leave it on permanently if you decide to erase the device instead.

Erase your device if it cannot be recovered

If you are certain your iPhone is gone and you do not want anyone to access your data, erase it remotely. From iCloud.com or the Find My app, select your device and click or tap Erase This Device. You will be asked to confirm — this action cannot be undone.

Erasing removes all your photos, messages, contacts, and other data from the device. The device will no longer appear in Find My, and it cannot be located. If the device is offline when you erase it, the erase command will go through the next time it connects to the internet.

After erasing, the device will show the Apple setup screen, as if it just came from the factory. A new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID, but they will not be able to access your old data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Find My iPhone is already on but I cannot see my device on the map?

Your device is likely offline — powered off, in airplane mode, or without internet access. Check the last known location shown on the map. If your device has been offline for more than 24 hours, the location may be very old. If you believe it is stolen, put it in Lost Mode anyway so it locks if someone powers it on.

Can I use Find My iPhone if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You will need to reset your Apple ID password before you can sign into iCloud.com. Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to reset it. If you have another Apple device, you may already be signed in and can use the Find My app without entering your password again.

Does Find My iPhone work if my device is in another country?

Yes, Find My iPhone works worldwide as long as your device has an internet connection. The map will show its location no matter where in the world it is. However, if your device is offline or has no power, you will only see the last location where it was connected.

What happens to Find My iPhone if I sell my old iPhone?

Before you sell or give away your iPhone, turn off Find My iPhone in Settings. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, tap Find My, and turn off Find My iPhone. You should also sign out of iCloud completely so the new owner can set up the device with their own Apple ID.

Can someone else use Find My iPhone to track my device without my permission?

Only someone with your Apple ID and password can access Find My iPhone. If you are concerned someone has your password, change it immediately at appleid.apple.com. You can also see which devices are signed into your Apple ID and remove any you do not recognize.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.