Q&A: How can I Find my iPhone using Find My on Apple’s iCloud?

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can utilize iCloud via a web browser to locate the missing device and safeguard your information by using Find my iPhone app. To access iCloud, create an Apple ID and an iCloud account, and enable the Find My app on your device.

Once set up, navigate to www.icloud.com/find, log in using your iCloud account, and select “All Devices” to locate your missing device. First, if the device is online, its location will display on a map.

You can also play a sound on the device to aid in locating it, activate Lost Mode to lock the device and display a custom message with your contact information, or remotely erase the device to protect your personal information.

However, if an iOS device is no longer in use, it can be removed from the Find My iPhone devices list.

Additionally, if you lost your iPhone or think it might be stolen, you can use iCloud via a web browser to help find the missing device and/or protect your information.

If you do not have access to iCloud via a web browser, refer to How do I find my iPhone using the Find My app?

Set up iCloud – Find My

1. To find your devices in iCloud, navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Log in using your iCloud account.

NOTE: To utilize the Find My app, it is necessary to set up an Apple ID and iCloud account. Additionally, the Find My app must be activated on the lost or stolen device. For all devices to be visible in iCloud, they must be linked to the same iCloud account during the setup process.

Locate Device

See locations of online iOS devices on a map.

1. Navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
3. Click All Devices (top of screen).
4. Select the device you would like to locate.

• If the device is online; The location of the device displays on the map.

If the device is not online: Under the device name, you’ll find the status. To receive a notification when the device is located, select the “Notify me when found” option.

See also:

• Find My iPhone App Helps to Locate Your Lost or Stolen iPhone
• Turn off Your iPhone Lock Screen Feature to Boost Security
• How to Disable Find My iPhone – Turn it off Completely
• DIY iPhone Battery Replacement Guide for Technicians

Play Sound

In case of a missing iOS device that is online and nearby, you have the option to play a sound on it to aid in locating it.

1. Navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
3. Click All Devices (top of the screen).
4. Click the missing device.
5. Click Play Sound.  A sound will play on the missing iOS device if it is online and connected to internet.

Lost Mode

You can lock an iOS device that is online in a secure manner and present a personalized message containing your contact information. The individual who locates the device will be able to view the message and contact you via the provided phone number.

1. Navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
3. Click All Devices (top of the screen).
4. Click the missing device.
5. Click Lost Mode.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions, keeping the following in mind:

Passcode:

If your iPhone currently lacks a passcode, you will be prompted to create one. This passcode is separate from your password and is solely employed when you designate your device as lost.

Contact Information:

When prompted to input a phone number, enter a number where you can be contacted. If prompted to provide a message, you may want to specify that the device is lost or how to reach you. The number and message will be displayed on the device’s lock screen.

Next Step

1. Tap Activate.
2. When you find your lost device, do either of the following to turn off Lost Mode:

• Enter your passcode
• In Find My iPhone, tap the device, tap Pending or Activated under Mark as Lost, tap Turn Off Mark as Lost, then tap Turn off.

Erase iPhone

In the event of an online iOS device being lost or stolen, it can be erased remotely, eliminating personal information (such as contacts, email, pictures, etc.) and settings to prevent any unauthorized access to the data.

1. Navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
3. Click All Devices (top of the screen).
4. Click the missing device.
5. Click Erase iPhone.
6. Review the warning, then click Erase iPhone.
7. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Erase.

Note:  Any personal information and settings on the missing iOS device are permanently erased and cannot be recovered.

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Remove iPhone

If an iOS device is no longer in use, it can be eliminated from the list of devices in Find My iPhone.

1. Navigate to www.icloud.com/find
2. Enter the Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
3. Click All Devices (top of the screen).
4. Click the device to be removed.
5. Erase the device.  (see above for details)
6. Click All Devices again.
7. Select the device to be removed
8. Click Remove from Account to confirm.

When all of your content is deleted (erased from your iPhone), the Activation Lock is disabled, allowing another individual to activate the device.