Find My iPhone locates your phone through iCloud, even if it's off or out of reach
Find My is Apple's built-in location service that shows your iPhone's position on a map from any other device. You access it through the Find My app on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or through iCloud.com in a web browser. The service works by connecting to Apple's network of devices and cell towers, so your phone doesn't need to be powered on or connected to Wi-Fi — though it will locate faster if it is.
To use Find My, your iPhone must have been set up with Find My enabled before it went missing. This is the default setting on newer iPhones, but older devices or those with Find My turned off cannot be located this way. If your phone is already lost, you cannot turn Find My on remotely.
Key Takeaways
- Find My works through the Find My app on another Apple device or through iCloud.com, and shows your iPhone's location on a map in real time.
- Your iPhone must have Find My enabled before it goes missing — you cannot turn it on remotely if it is already lost.
- Find My can play a sound on your phone, lock it remotely, or erase it if you believe it has been stolen.
- If your iPhone is offline, Find My will show its last known location and notify you when it comes back online.
Locating your iPhone through the Find My app
Open the Find My app on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all Apple devices linked to your iCloud account. Select your missing iPhone from the list.
The app will display your iPhone's location on a map. A blue dot marks the exact spot. If your phone is offline, the map will show its last known location before it went offline, and the app will say "Offline" beneath the device name. Find My will send you a notification the moment your phone comes back online.
The accuracy of the location depends on whether your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular service. A phone on Wi-Fi or with cellular signal will show within a few meters. An offline phone's last known location may be less precise, especially if several hours have passed since it last connected.
Using Find My through iCloud.com
If you do not have another Apple device nearby, go to iCloud.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID. Click the Find My iPhone icon (it looks like a radar or target). You will see a map with your devices listed on the left side.
Select your iPhone from the list. The map will center on your phone's location. The web version works the same way as the app — it shows real-time location if your phone is online, and the last known location if it is offline. You can also use the web version to play a sound, lock your phone, or erase it, just as you can from the app.
Playing a sound to locate your phone nearby
If your iPhone is in your home, car, or office but you cannot find it, use Find My to play a sound. In the Find My app, select your iPhone and tap Play Sound. On iCloud.com, click your device and select Play Sound. Your phone will play a loud alert for two minutes, even if it is on silent mode.
This feature only works if your phone is powered on and has an internet connection. The sound will continue for the full two minutes or until you stop it from the Find My app. If your phone is offline or out of battery, no sound will play.
Locking your iPhone remotely
If you think your phone has been stolen or you are concerned about privacy, you can lock it remotely through Find My. In the app, select your iPhone and tap Mark as Lost. On iCloud.com, click your device and select Mark as Lost. Your phone will lock immediately with a passcode, even if someone else is using it.
When you mark your phone as lost, you can also display a custom message and phone number on the lock screen so someone who finds it can contact you. The phone will no longer respond to voice commands or notifications, and Apple Pay will be disabled. If your phone is offline, these changes will take effect the moment it comes back online.
Erasing your iPhone remotely
If you believe your phone has been stolen and you want to prevent anyone from accessing your data, you can erase it remotely. In the Find My app, select your iPhone and tap Erase This Device. On iCloud.com, click your device and select Erase This Device. All data on your phone will be permanently deleted.
Erasing is permanent and cannot be undone. Once erased, you will not be able to locate your phone again through Find My. Only erase your phone if you are certain you cannot recover it and you are willing to lose all data on it. If your phone is offline, the erase command will be sent the moment it comes back online.
What to do if Find My shows your phone offline
An offline status means your iPhone is not currently connected to the internet or has run out of battery. Find My will display the last location where your phone was online. Depending on how long ago that was, the location may be accurate or several hours out of date.
Enable notifications for your device so you receive an alert the moment it comes back online. You can do this in the Find My app by selecting your device and turning on Notify When Found. Once your phone reconnects, you can immediately see its new location, play a sound, or take other actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my iPhone if Find My was not turned on before it went missing?
No. Find My must be enabled on your iPhone before it is lost. If you never turned it on, or if someone disabled it, you cannot locate your phone through this service. You can contact your carrier or local police, but there is no way to turn Find My on remotely.
Does my iPhone need to be charged for Find My to work?
Your phone must have some battery to connect to the internet and send its location. Once the battery dies, Find My will show only the last location where your phone was online. If your phone comes back online later — for example, if someone charges it — you will see its new location.
Can someone else see my location through Find My?
Only people you have explicitly shared your location with can see where you are. You control this through the Find My app by tapping People and choosing who can view your location. Your family members or friends will not see your location unless you add them to your sharing list.
What is the difference between marking a phone as lost and erasing it?
Marking as lost locks your phone and lets you display a message on the lock screen, but your data remains on the device. Erasing permanently deletes all data and cannot be reversed. Mark as lost first if you think you might recover your phone; erase only if you are certain it is gone for good.
Will Find My work if my phone is in airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections, so your phone cannot send its location to Find My. If your phone is in airplane mode, Find My will show only its last known location from before airplane mode was turned on.