Losing your iPhone is a nightmare, but Apple’s Find My iPhone feature can help you locate, lock, or even erase your device remotely. All it takes is a quick setup and you’re ready in case the worst happens. Here’s how to turn it on and use it — whether your iPhone is nearby or halfway across the world.
Turn On Find My iPhone (iOS 15 and newer)
Make sure Find My is enabled before you lose your iPhone. Here’s how to check:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap your Apple ID at the top (your name).
- Tap Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone and turn it on.
- Make sure Find My Network and Send Last Location are also turned on.
This lets your iPhone send its last known location before it dies or goes offline.
Turn On Find My iPhone (Older iOS versions)
If you’re on an older iPhone:
- Go to Settings > iCloud.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Toggle it on.
How to Track a Lost iPhone on iCloud.com
If your iPhone is missing, you can locate it from any web browser:
- Go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.
- Click Find iPhone.
- Select All Devices at the top and choose your missing iPhone.
You’ll see one of the following:
- 🟢 Green dot = Device is online. It shows the current location.
- ⚪️ Gray dot = Device is offline. You’ll see the last known location.
Options You Can Use in Find My iPhone
Once you’ve selected the device, you’ll have three key options:
- Play Sound – Makes your iPhone ring, even if it’s on silent. Great for finding it nearby.
- Lost Mode – Locks your iPhone, displays a contact number, and tracks its location.
- Erase iPhone – Wipes your device remotely. Only use this if you’re sure it’s stolen or gone for good.
Use the Find My App on Another iPhone or iPad
If you have another Apple device handy:
- Open the Find My app.
- Tap Devices at the bottom.
- Select your missing iPhone from the list.
- Tap Play Sound, Mark As Lost, or Erase This Device depending on the situation.
Can’t Find Your iPhone? Try These Extras
- Family Sharing: If someone in your family has location sharing enabled with you, they can also see your device location using their Find My app.
- Notify When Found: If your device is offline, you can choose to be alerted when it comes back online.
- Send Last Location: This setting (enabled earlier) sends your iPhone’s last known spot before it powers down.