Find a Lost iPhone

This article teaches you how to search for a lost iPhone, as well as some steps you can take to make finding a lost iPhone easier.

Steps

Using Find My iPhone

  1. Open Find My iPhone on another device. Do so by launching the app on a mobile device or going to iCloud in a web browser.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID. Use the Apple ID and password that you used into your own iPhone.
    • If the app is on a device that belongs to another person, you may need to tap Sign Out in the upper-right corner of the app screen in order to sign in with your own Apple ID.
  3. Tap your iPhone. It should appear in a list of devices below the map. The location of your phone will be displayed on the map.
    • If the phone has been powered off or the battery has died, it will show you the last known location of your phone.
  4. Tap Actions. It's at the bottom-center of the screen.
  5. Tap Play Sound. It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen. If your iPhone is nearby, it will play a sound to help you locate it.
  6. Tap Lost Mode. It's at the bottom-center of the screen. Use this option if your iPhone is lost in a place where it could be found by someone else or if you think it's been stolen.
    • Enter an unlock code for your phone. Use a random number set that's not tied to you: no SSN, no birthdate, driver's license number, or anything that is personal.
    • Send a message and contact phone number that will be displayed on your screen.
    • If your iPhone is online, it will immediately lock and cannot be reset without the lock code. You'll be able to see your phone's current location, as well as any changes in location.
    • If your phone is offline, it will lock immediately on power-up. You'll receive an email notification and will be able to track your phone's position.
    • Back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes on a regular basis, in case you ever need to restore erased data.

Trying Other Methods

  1. Call your phone. Use a landline or your friend's phone to try calling your missing iPhone. If it's nearby, you may hear it ring.
    • Move from room to room as you call your phone.
    • If you don't have access to another phone, but have access to a computer, try ICantFindMyPhone.com. Enter your phone number on this website and it will call your phone for you.
    • Check hard-to-reach places.
  2. Use social media. Let people know on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and any other platforms you're on that your iPhone is missing.
  3. Check with local law enforcement. Police stations and lost property stations in the vicinity of where you lost your iPhone might yield positive results.
    • You can also file a report if you believe your phone was stolen.
    • If you have the Find-the-IMEI-or-MEID-Number-on-a-Mobile-Phone, give it to the law enforcement official when you file your lost or stolen report. This will help track your phone in case it gets sold to someone else.
  4. Try the Missing Phones online directory. The Missing Phones directory is a website that allows you to enter the IMEI number of your device. Check the database at MissingPhones.org.
  5. Contact your carrier if your phone is gone for good. If you're sure that your phone has been stolen, or you don't think you'll ever find it again, contact your carrier as soon as possible. [1]
    • Some carriers allow you to block service for a period of time in case you think you will recover your phone again in the near future.
    • Dispute any charges incurred if you think your iPhone was stolen.

Turning On Find My iPhone

  1. Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically found on your home screen.
  2. Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image if you've added one.
    • If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (Your Device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not have an Apple ID section in Settings.
  3. Tap iCloud. It's in the second section of the menu.
  4. Scroll down and tap Find My iPhone. It's near the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section of the menu.
  5. Slide "Find My iPhone" to the "On" position. It will turn green. This feature enables you to find your iPhone's location using another device.
  6. Slide "Send Last Location" to the "On" position. Now your iPhone will send its location to Apple when the battery is critically low, just before it powers off.



Tips

  • If your iPhone is in airplane mode, "Find My iPhone" won't be able to locate your iPhone.

Warnings

  • If you believe your phone was stolen and are currently tracking it. Do not attempt to get it back yourself. Instead, report it to the police. Attempting to retrieve your phone yourself could put you in harm's way.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?cv=820&sid=KB63935#fbid=xAhfv2Mhvlg
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