Where to find an iphone. How to find an iPhone if it is turned off. Law enforcement assistance

You are taking care of Apple products and decided to learn about such a function as "Find an iPhone". Or, perhaps, you lost your smartphone, but now you do not know how to find it and what services or programs to use for this? Especially for you, we wrote an article in which we reveal all the secrets and tricks of this option, ways to find your gadgets, protection methods and other important recommendations.

From the article you will learn

Features of the function and how it works

Apple has always prioritized safety issues, making its products one of the safest to this day. There are still no serious viruses for the iOS operating system that could harm, for example, for Windows or Android, which hundreds of thousands of users face every day.

Developers from Cupertino have thought out the system in case of theft of devices. After all, Apple technology has been a tidbit for small and large thieves for some year now, but not many have enough knowledge to hide the location of the same iPhones or iPads.

The whole process is carried out thanks to a special function and a separate application called "Find iPhone". In English, they are referred to as.

If your phone or tablet is stolen, if the function is connected, it will be possible to track where the device is located, play a sound signal on it, erase data, send a notification.

The service was first announced back in 2011, when other large IT giants could not even think of such opportunities. Then the first version of the function and application appeared for iOS 5.

Activation

To use this functionality, you must first activate it. This is done in the iPhone settings. For the service to work, the device must have iOS 5 or higher.

How to use it on a PC?

  1. Let's say that your phone was stolen or it was simply lost somewhere. On the computer, go to the browser and enter the address there. This is the official site of the iCloud service, which provides access not only to the cloud service, but also allows you to control your phone from a distance.
  2. So, you have entered the site. Now you need to enter your Apple ID and password. Please note that the data is entered from the account that is used in your smartphone;
  3. Are you here? Now select "Find iPhone" from the menu. The system will display a list of devices connected to this account;
  4. Choose your smartphone and click on it. The system will automatically update the data and show on the map where the gadget is currently located.

Here you can also use other options to find your smartphone. Further more about them:

Play sound

Allows you to remotely play sound on your device by sending a command through the service. In this case, it is much easier to determine where the gadget is. Basically, this opportunity is used when you know exactly the approximate location, having determined it on the map, but with minor errors. After activating playback, your phone will automatically sound a signal after 10-30 seconds, but this is provided that it is connected to the network.

Lost Mode

If you cannot track the iPhone, for example, when it does not have access to the Internet, then you can activate this function. In this case, you can lock the iPhone so that the person who stole or found the device cannot do anything with it as soon as it logs on to the network.

Another option that can be activated here is an on-screen notification. Provides the opportunity to write a special message with a request to call back, leaving your number and an offer for a reward for returning the phone. Most likely, the person who found the phone will call you, because without unlocking it, he will not be able to use it.

And here there is an additional option that allows you to set a password for the entrance, if this has not been done before. Upon entering the network, the phone will automatically set this password, after which an attacker will not be able to use it.

Remote wipe data

If the phone has fallen into the wrong hands, and there is no way to return it, then activate this item. In this case, the iPhone, when connected to the network, will automatically delete all data, returning to the factory settings. But please note that after activating this item, all information about the phone will be deleted from your iCloud, respectively, you will not be able to manage it in any way and you will lose full control.

In addition to these points, the charge level of your device and its last location on the map are also displayed. Even if at the time of the check it was not possible to determine the position, you can see the last coordinates. The system displays data for the last 24 hours.

Even when you activate the Find iPhone function, an option such as Activation Lock is automatically turned on. This is a special service that prevents you from using another account on your iPhone. For example, an attacker stole a phone but does not return it. At the same time, he will not be able to use another account, because there is an activation lock, and it will be active until it is disabled. And this can be done only after entering the Apple ID password used on the iPhone. Even if a person tries to flash a phone or make a jailbrake, there will still be a link to your account, as a result of which the smartphone will simply turn into a “brick”.

How to use it on a phone or tablet?

To do this, there is a separate application in the iOS menu, which is called “Find an iPhone”. After downloading it, the user will be able to log in under the data of his account, which is used on the lost device and from here manage it.

Here, the possibilities are almost the same as in the browser version, but there is one addition. You can tap on the car icon to get directions to your lost iPhone. This is very convenient, because in one click, the full path will be built on the screen, and you will receive useful information, namely, what is the distance to this point, how long the trip will take.

Search and control can also be carried out through the browser version also from a tablet or mobile phone. For example, if you use Android or Windows Mobile, then just go to the iCloud website, log in there under an account and carry out all the same operations that we described above.

Deactivation

Have you decided to disable this service? We warn you right away that it is better to do this only if you are selling a smartphone. In other situations, the function will definitely come in handy someday, so turning it off will be pointless.

To disable, you can use one of the 4 suggested methods below:

  1. From your smartphone, go to Settings, go to iCloud and uncheck the slider from Find iPhone. To confirm the operation, you will need to re-enter your account password and Apple ID. In this case, a notification will be sent to your e-mail address, which will contain information about the disconnection.
  2. You can also disable this option through your account, simply by deleting it from your smartphone. To do this, go to "Settings" and select iCloud. Scroll down and click the tab "Delete your account"... A notification will appear prompting you to save your personal information or delete it. Here the decision is yours. Next, confirm the operation by entering the password from the ID, and the account is deleted.
  3. If you have the Find iPhone application installed, you can turn off the option here. To do this, go to the program, enter the data from the account. Wait for the system to display a complete list of devices connected to this account. As soon as information about the connected devices appears, select one, swipe to the left on it and click the "Delete" tab. Just keep in mind that you can delete devices that are not currently connected to the network!
  4. And the last way is to delete it via iCloud from your computer. Go to the official website of the icloud.com service and log in. After a successful login, select the tab here "All devices", wait until the list is updated, find your device and click on the "Erase" item. Confirm the operation by entering your account password. Now all data from your smartphone will be completely deleted, including this function.

How do I check if my iPhone is linked to iCloud and has an Activation Lock status?

This advice will be very useful for those users who sell or buy smartphones from their hands. You can check if there is a link to the iCloud service, and if the ability to activate another account is blocked. Previously, there was an open service from Apple that allows you to quickly check the status of any device, but hackers and pickpockets began to use this, who quickly checked the iPhone and blackmailed their victims.

At the moment, you can use another tricky scheme:

  1. Follow the link located at this point. This is because from Russia, oddly enough, it is impossible to check the binding;
  2. Indicate that you are in Europe, and then select Germany from the list;
  3. Select iPhone from the general list of devices and on the next page specify Repair and Physical Damage as the reason;
  4. The system will ask you to clarify the request. From the following list, select the item Buttons not working;
  5. Then select the section called Send in for Repair and indicate the Home button tab;
  6. It remains only to enter the IMEI of the phone and click on the arrow, after which the system will give you a notification.

If the option is active on the phone, a notification will appear stating that the support service cannot accept your request.

If the option is not active, you will be asked to log in under your account. As you can see, everything is very simple and fast!

It's important to know! Never buy iPhones that have the search option and activation lock activated. Otherwise, you will not be able to fully use all the capabilities of the device and connect your Apple ID account.

Find AirPods via Option

With version iOS 10.3, it became possible to search and AirPods, because they also connect to the device via wireless networks.

If you need to find headphones, then follow these steps:

  1. Go to the iCloud website or to the program installed on your smartphone and log in using the Apple ID, which is used on the smartphone with headphones;
  2. Open Find My iPhone and wait for the system to display a complete list of devices. Select the headphones there and see where they are on the map now.

The system can display 3 points of different colors:

  • Blue - displayed next to the device using your headphones;
  • Green - displayed next to devices that are currently online;
  • Gray - displayed next to devices that are disconnected or low. In the case of AirPods, you can also add the item "Are in the case", that is, are not active.

In the service, you can play a sound signal to find your headphones, and you can play both left and right, which is very convenient. To do this, you just need to click on the AirPods in the list, select the "Actions" tab and start playback. Once you find it, click on the "Stop" button.

Conclusion

The capabilities of this feature are impressive, so we recommend that our readers using Apple products be sure to activate this option. It will help not only in case of theft, but also in case of a simple loss of the phone somewhere in the house. And this, as a rule, happens to many users. And sometimes it's easier to go online and request a signal playback than to run around the house and stir everything around!

Starting with the seventh version, iOS has added anti-theft tools. A special service tracks the location of the device and allows you to remotely lock it if the iPhone is lost or stolen. We recommend that you always turn on Find my iPhone during everyday use of your phone. But sometimes it needs to be temporarily deactivated. In what cases it is necessary and how to disable the search - described below.

When to turn off Find my iPhone

If you took your phone for repair or decided to sell it and buy a new one - in either case, you need to disable the protective mechanisms of the device, which are part of the operating system. The manufacturing company has implemented a tracking function for the device so that a stolen or lost phone can inform the owner of its location, and having received a blocking command, reset the settings and minimize the available functions. In the locked state, only calls to 911 or to the number specified by the owner of the device during registration are possible from the phone.

The main protection tool is the Find iPhone service function. When a phone with a working search mode gets to the new owner, it will work normally until the first attempt to reset or update. The Find my iPhone service will require you to enter the owner's Apple ID, and if this code is not entered or turns out to be incorrect, it will block the device. Therefore, before selling the device or visiting repairmen who will manipulate the software, the Find iPhone service must be turned off.

The enabled Find my iPhone function will prevent the following actions with the device:

The problem can also arise when buying iPhones on the secondary market or at one of the foreign auctions. After receiving the parcel and turning on the device, you will find a requirement to enter the password from the iCloud record, which the seller for some reason did not disable. If the "Find iPhone" mode is active in iCloud, then when you try to flash or reset to factory settings, the phone will become inoperative.

This case is the most difficult, because without access to Apple ID, using a smartphone is impossible. Depending on the iOS version and phone settings, either only phone calls or all functions of the device will become unavailable. Therefore, when buying, be sure to make sure that iCloud is unlinked from your account and the "Find iPhone" mode is disabled.

It is not good to steal and even a criminal offense. And if someone else's gadget is found, the best idea is to find the owner and return the device to him. Find My iPhone will help you with this by providing you with the owner's contact number.

Ways to disable the Find iPhone service

There are several ways to disable the function, either from a computer or directly from an iPhone or iPad. For any of them, you will need an Internet connection, as well as a login and password from the Apple ID to which the device is linked.

Please note: access to the network must be available both for the device from which the disconnection is made and for the device that disconnects from the service. Location services must also be enabled on the iPhone to be disabled.

Disconnecting by means of the iPhone or iPad itself

This method assumes that the device is in good working order, it has access to the operating system interface and the Internet, and you also know the account authorization parameters.

Disconnect by deleting iCloud account

This method is best suited for a device that needs to be returned for repair or sold - at the end you will receive a clean device without user bindings and data. All you have to do is delete multimedia files (music, photos and videos) and call history from your phone.

Video: reset iPhone by deleting iCloud account

Cancellation of the service "Find iPhone" using the application of the same name

If the device is inoperable or there is no physical access to it, you can deactivate the search function from another Apple device. The Find iPhone widget is available starting with iOS 7.0.

  1. Launch Find My iPhone from the desktop of your device.
  2. Enter the Apple ID authorization parameters. Make no mistake: you need exactly the record to which the device to be disconnected is tied.
  3. Wait while the program updates the status of all devices linked to your account. This will take some time depending on the settings of the geolocation service and the speed of the communication channel.
  4. Select the device from the list on which you want to disable the Find iPhone function, move the line to the left and press the red Delete button.
  5. Deactivating the search function will be available only for those devices that are turned off or do not have access to the Internet. If the device is working and connected to the network, then the "Delete" button in the program will be inactive.
  6. Confirm the deletion. The phone will leave the list of paired devices, it will be possible to restore, flash and delete user data, having previously switched to DFU or Recovery mode. Be careful: with other recovery methods, activation lock may turn on!

In normal operating mode, in order to restore the device from a backup, as well as to erase content from its memory, you will need to disable "Find iPhone" on the iPhone itself, otherwise iTunes will not fulfill the request. And if the remote device is reconnected to the network before restoring or updating the firmware, it will reappear in the “All devices” menu and the activation lock will turn on. After removing the device from iCloud, do not connect it to the Internet.

Disconnect from the Internet browser of a laptop, tablet or stationary PC

You don't need to own an iPhone or iPad to access all the features of the iCloud service. The icloud.com website is accessible from any browser except the oldest. That is, almost any laptop, stationary PC, and even an old pocket computer can disable the protection mechanisms of the Find iPhone service. To do this, open the Cloud website or follow the direct link.


Once you've entered your Apple ID password and clicked the "done" button, you won't be able to roll back.

Video: iCloud Website - Control Center for Your iPhone

All the described methods will work only if you know your Apple ID login details. Otherwise, even a device erased through iTunes will not be activated.

Life hack # 1: disabling search without a password for an Apple ID account

In iOS 7.0, hackers found a security loophole that allows them to disable the search service without entering an Apple ID password. This vulnerability was quickly discovered and closed, so it can only be exploited on iOS version 7.0, no higher. It is impossible to roll back to version 7.0 from a locked device, so the method is suitable for a very small number of devices whose owners ignored the installation of the proposed updates.

You need to perform the following manipulations:

  1. Enter "Settings", from there go to iCloud.
  2. When prompted for a password, enter any text and click the "Finish" button.
  3. In response to the message that the password is incorrect, click Ok and then Cancel to return to the iCloud screen.
  4. Open your account settings again.
  5. Erase all data in the Description field and click Finish.

Life hack # 2: resetting iCloud settings using a letter to technical support

Unfortunately, you may end up with a phone for which there is no Apple ID data. For example, you bought it hand-held or at an online auction. If you are fluent in English and have minimal graphic editing skills, try contacting Apple technical support by providing the following materials:

  1. A letter of appeal describing the essence of the problem: you forgot or lost access to the mailbox to which the device was assigned, and you did not save your Apple ID password. Be sure to include the contact phone number in the text of the appeal. It is also advisable to confirm the accuracy of what you are reporting, otherwise there is a high probability of getting a refusal.
  2. A photograph of the device against the background of the original packaging (box).
  3. Checks and warranty card showing your ownership of the device. It is very important that the store that issued the warranty and issued the receipts is an Apple Authorized Point of Sale.
  4. If there are no such documents, it is easy to find scans on the Internet and use a graphic editor to give them a reliable look.

Send your documents to the Apple support email address, please be patient and wait for a response. It should be borne in mind that technical support is well aware of both scans of documents on the network and graphic editors. Therefore, the percentage of positive responses to such applications is low - more than half of the cases are rejected. But if there are no other options, you can use this method - do not throw away the phone, which, in principle, is in good working order.

What to do if the service does not turn off

Problems with deactivating the search service can be caused by the following reasons:

  1. The device does not have internet access. Make sure the device is switched on Wi-Fi or ЗG.
  2. The Apple ID password pair you enter and the account the iPhone is linked to do not match. Enter the correct username and password for the iCloud service.
  3. The iPhone is connected to iTunes and the Find My iPhone setting is automatically enabled.
  4. On the gadget that you are trying to untie, the geolocation service is forcibly disabled, which is why the system cannot determine its location, and, consequently, disable the Find iPhone service.
  5. The operating system was jailbroken on the iPhone - JailBreak.

All considered methods of deactivating the search service require knowledge of the Apple ID authorization parameters. Those few "holes" - vulnerabilities in the system, which made it possible to bypass the search function without unlocking iCloud, were closed by Apple already in version 7.1 of the iOS operating system.

When registering Apple ID, use a reliable mail service, set a complex password and be sure to save it in a place known only to you.

After deactivating the search service and having done everything that is planned with the phone (repair, firmware, restoration), be sure to re-enable the service, since disabling it greatly increases the vulnerability of your mobile device.

Find iPhone is a mega handy and useful app for an apple device that can return expensive property into the hands of its rightful owner. In case of loss or loss of a smartphone, you do not have to contact people in uniform, if, of course, you had this program installed.

So, this program is almost omnipotent, because it can indicate the location of the kidnapper on the map (on an approximate scale). And even erase from memory valuable personal information, contacts, photos, SMS and other data, without direct contact with him.

How to enable and how does the utility work?

  1. First you need to have a previously registered Apple ID account, it plays a key role here. Log in to your profile.
  2. Then you will have to go to "Settings", find the item "iCloud" in the menu, select "Search for iPhone" and turn it on.
  3. If you are the lucky owner of several smart devices from Apple, then it will not be superfluous to follow these steps on all devices.

The utility tracks the movements of your gadget on the map, therefore it works with its geolocation. Do not turn off this function, it will not "eat up" a lot of battery, but on the other hand, you can worry much less about the phone and your data.

What is the app capable of?

Now let's imagine that we are looking for a device through this irreplaceable application. The first step is to log into iCloud through a computer or tablet, the main thing is that you have access to the Internet using your Apple ID login and password. Next, select "Find iPhone". A map will appear on the screen, and on it - the exact location of your phone. If it's enabled and configured correctly, the app will show you where the gadget is.

By clicking on the green dot (which indicates the iPhone), you can find out how many percent of the battery charge it currently has. The application also has various precautions if your phone is in the wrong hands:

  • Play sound
  • Enabling Lost Mode
  • Clearing information from memory
  • Building the most convenient route to the point of location.

Even a child can use the utility after reading the instructions we recommend. A little attention and perseverance, and you will learn to look for your device, among the urban jungle.

Does it work now?

How to find out if the "Find an iPhone" function is turned on is extremely simple, there are plenty of ways, choose which one will be more convenient. Engineers have introduced the ability to search back in version 7 of iOs, not to mention the more modern versions 10 and 11.

Directly from the device itself.

We go into the already familiar "Settings" menu, click on "iCloud" and scroll down to the item "Search for iPhone". Further, it is quite simple: opposite will be marked On. or Off.

Using Activation Lock. This is an official service of Apple, any tablet or laptop can access it, the main thing is to know the login and password. To start the search, you just need to specify the serial number of your phone and press the button. The rest will be done by the system automatically.

The Internet is replete with other sites that will allow you to track whether this function is enabled. But they all work on a similar principle, in fact, they access the servers of the parent company, giving data to the user, so there is no point in mentioning them separately.

When is it better to turn it off?

"Find iPhone" is certainly a convenient thing, but sometimes there are situations when it is necessary to disable it. Here, of course, we can say about the sale of the device, but we will consider more "serious" cases when the function should be deactivated:

  • You must completely reset your user preferences, including content and personal data
  • It is required to "reanimate" the firmware or update the OS
  • Need data recovery using iTunes
  • You have found a failure in the system and are planning to contact the service center

In other cases, it is recommended that Find My iPhone is always on. Of course, for security reasons. But, unfortunately, even this will not provide a 100% security guarantee, because if attackers have data from iCloud, they can easily disable this useful function, but without a password, it will not be possible to do this.

You can turn off the utility of the same name in the same menu, just move the radio button to an inoperative position. Now the data on the location of the gadget is not transmitted to the company's servers, and it will be impossible to find out where you are by means of programs.

Disable the function

There are also several ways to choose from here, and you may not even have a phone in your hands at that moment. All that is required is to remove the iPhone from the tracked list.

The easiest way is to do it from your smartphone.

To do this, go to "Settings", "iCloud" and there we already deactivate the application. You will need to enter the correct Apple ID password in the appropriate fields and confirm the disabling of the function. Your email (aka iCloud account login) will immediately receive a letter from technical support that "Find iPhone" is deactivated.

But what if there is no direct access to the smart device for some reason, but you need to turn off the function? You can do this through the iCloud service, or you can do it through the same application, but on another smartphone or tablet.

Password or login lost

If you forgot the password for your ID, or do not remember your login, then you need to restore them before starting the procedures. After that, you need to check whether everything is working, whether the server accepts the recovered password. How to remember the code from Iclyde correctly was discussed in another article, so we will not stop here and move on to the point.

Via iCloud

  • First, turn off your smartphone.
  • Log in to the official website using your Apple ID and password of at least 8 characters.
  • Open "All Devices" and click on the iPhone or iPad to be removed.
  • Click on the "Remove from Find iPhone" button.
  • We confirm our choice.

If a small window appears in the upper right corner of the screen, which offers to designate the device as missing, then you will have to act differently.

Click on the small gray "cross", it is located next to the name of the device. We confirm removal from the list.

Through the application of the same name

  • To do this, you need to download "Find iPhone" to another "apple".
  • We go into the application by entering your iCloud data from the phone that you lost. V
  • In the list of linked devices, we find the device we need, swipe the line with the name and click on the "Delete" item.
  • We confirm the deletion.

To activate this function or not is up to you, of course. While this app may be a bit of a problem, it's foolish to deny its obvious benefits.

Conclusion

Not for nothing, Apple engineers recommend not to disable the iPhone tracing utility. It is worth listening to their opinion and spending a few percent of the battery per day to keep geolocation and some other useful things necessary to find a missing cell phone on.

Remember! For correct operation, you need a regular connection to the Internet to transfer coordinates to the company's server. If this condition is not met, it will not be realistic to find an iphone on your own. We will have to involve law enforcement agencies, but they are not willing to take on such small matters, the chances of finding the loss will tend to zero.

Video

If you still have questions on the topic of the article, watch the video tutorial.

For iPhone users, it is not just a gadget, but a significant part of life. The loss of a smartphone can, to put it mildly, into a stupor: a person loses not only a phone, but also a diary, photos, contacts, travel guides, and favorite music. Avoiding crash is easy! Apple developers have done a great job, and thanks to geolocation services, it is easy to find the loss. But how do you find your iPhone if it's turned off? We will tell you about the magic wands that allow you to track and come to the rescue in the search for the device in case of theft or loss.

Ways to find a turned off iPhone

If you have lost your phone, first call it from another number. If this has already been done and, probably, to no avail, the first thing to do is contact the law enforcement agencies - file a statement about the loss of the gadget. To contact the police, you will need the following documents:

  • general passport;
  • any documents for the iPhone (data of the international identifier of mobile equipment);
  • a cashier's receipt that confirms the purchase of the device.

If you're lucky, the investigator will be eager to find your unit and will immediately make a request to the cellular operators. If the thief or the finder of the phone knows nothing about the tracking programs for the iPhone (there are also such things), then you are doubly lucky. There is a chance to find out which SIM card was inserted into the phone after it was lost, or in which specific place the call was made with the help of your "apple friend". This information helps you find your device.

Don't you hope that the valiant police will immediately rush in search of your pet? Right. After going to law enforcement officers (or even better - in parallel), start looking for a smartphone yourself. We'll show you how to find your iPhone if it's turned off. While professional detectives get their hands on your application, perhaps you yourself will cope with the problem and find out where the expensive unit is.

Through the iCloud service

ICloud (icloud) will help to find the switched off phone. This option is the official cloud storage of Apple, which allows the user to access files online from any device, saves backup copies of the data of his "apple product" and helps the owner find the lost device. At the same time, remember that in order to see where the gadget is at this time, you need to specially connect the corresponding function.

Lost your phone near the computer with which you are looking for your gadget? Hear a loud sound. The "siren" is audible even when the iPhone is set to a silent function. Do you have any suspicions that the gadget did not disappear at home? It will be possible to protect all the information recorded on it even remotely: set a password - and no one will unlock your phone. Better to delete all data altogether. Once the device is found, it is easy to restore them from a backup.

Don't forget about the awesome Lost Mode feature, which is also activated in iCloud. When you turn it on, your message with the specified phone number is displayed on the screen of the locked gadget - the finder of the device will be able to call you back directly from it, despite the fact that it is locked. In addition, an iPhone that is in Lost Mode is allowed to make and receive calls.

By IMEI number

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique device number assigned to a device by the manufacturer. The information is intended to identify the unit on the network and is stored in its firmware. A code like a serial number is always indicated in several places:

  • on the smartphone itself (to find it, you need to dial * # 06 # on the keyboard - the data will appear on the screen);
  • under the battery;
  • on the back of the box in which the gadget was sold;
  • in the warranty card.

At the cellular company, at the request of the police or the owner of the smartphone, they can monitor the signal transmission even when the phone is turned off. It is believed that the code cannot be forged, and if the new owner of your iPhone activates it, it is possible to determine the phone number. However, as practice shows, criminals manage to bypass this method of protection.

Using the Find My iPhone app

Another application will help you find your iPhone - the program is called Find My iPhone. The service is included in the free iCloud subscription and, among other things, is able to locate the gadget, send messages to its screen, password protect the device or erase all of its contents. There is no need to specially download the application to the phone, since it is already part of the operating system of the device. For this feature to work, you need to enable it in the "Find iPhone" settings in advance. Geolocation determination is allowed only when the gadget is turned on (with an active GPS function).

How Find My iPhone works

It is impossible to use the application after losing your phone. The program must be installed with you in advance. Do not forget to do this, otherwise you will regret it someday! Please note that when configuring the function, the device will ask you to allow geolocation - one of the conditions for the operation of this application. It is likely that the battery will discharge somewhat faster after doing this.

How to enable the function via a computer

Apple can be proud of these statistics: with the launch of the Find iPhone service, the number of iPhone thefts has decreased significantly. No wonder: it is much easier to find a stolen device when this function is enabled. The smartphone, after being blocked by the owner in the hands of thieves, becomes just a set of spare parts or a meaningless toy. You can download Find iPhone, but you don't have to!

Steps to enable Find My iPhone from your computer:

  1. You will need access to the World Wide Web. Without this - nothing.
  2. It doesn't really matter what the operating system is in the phone, Windows or Mac. Go to iCloud.com.
  3. In the authorization window, enter your Apple ID information. Be careful not to agree with the "Stay logged in" item when working from someone else's computer. You can only check the box when you logged in from your personal PC.
  4. After launching the application, select your device in the menu item "My devices".
  5. The application will start scanning, after which an image of a map will appear on the screen, on which the location of your loss will be marked. Depending on where exactly your mobile phone is "resting" from you, take steps to return it.
  6. Lost your phone in your apartment or office? Use the beep to find your unit.
  7. It turned out that the phone was left in a beauty salon or auto center? Send a message to the screen of your gadget with a request to call back to another number. This text will immediately appear on the phone.
  8. The saddest outcome of the search situation. You realized that you lost your smartphone in a public place or, worse, it was deliberately stolen from you. Protect your personal data urgently! Set a four-digit password so that no one can download your photos or read your messages, erase them remotely.
  9. Once again, if the Find iPhone function is not configured in advance, then you will only have to rely on the police or the will of chance. Take care of your friend!

How to disable the function

Another situation is possible: you need to turn off the Find iPhone function, for example, when you sell your phone or take it in for repair. There are two main options for deactivation: directly through the device or remotely. Needless to say, in either case, this function can be disabled only after entering the password for the Apple ID account. Without this - nothing.

The first method is the simplest and most convenient, but it requires access to the device:

  1. Go to the "Settings" menu.
  2. Find iCloud.
  3. Scroll down the list to the "Find iPhone" position, switch the toggle switch to "off".
  4. Confirm your decision with your Apple ID password.
  5. After carrying out this simple operation, you will be sent a notification by e-mail about the disabling of the function.

Method two - if there is no mobile phone on hand, then the "Find iPhone" function can be turned off remotely:

  1. First you need to go to the appropriate application.
  2. Install the program in the App Store or on the website at https://icloud.com/find.
  3. Open the My Devices menu from the navigation bar.
  4. Select your mobile phone from the list that appears.
  5. It is allowed to remove a smartphone from the list only when it is offline.
  6. When working with the mobile application, click on the "Delete" button, in the web version - "cross".
  7. In conclusion, the application will ask you to confirm your actions and at the same time remind you that after that another person will be able to activate the iPad.

Not everything is completely clear? Use our video tutorial https://youtu.be/rLPHQ76HHvw, where the Find iPhone program is taken apart and a guide is given to those who lost their phone how to find its location - you don't know. Check out this tutorial, and you will learn how to find an iPhone by geolocation, by gps, you will easily find all your devices with the same Apple ID.

Video: how to find an iPhone if it was stolen

Finally, one more tip: be careful when looking for your phone! Often, the owners of a stolen smartphone become not only a victim of thieves, but also fraudsters. Those who come to various forums for advice are often emailed by “well-wishers”. Attackers offer to find the phone for a moderate fee, for example, using a satellite. Don't pay a dime to unknown people!

Watch a video tutorial on how to find your iPhone if it's turned off. What to do if you lost your iPhone? How to track an iPhone from another iPhone? I have stolen my phone, how can I find it? We hope that you will never ask yourself all these questions - there will be no reason. But if trouble happens, then you will quickly figure out the problem after a visual video tutorial on this topic. Happy search!

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All Apple tablets and phones have a Find IPhone function that allows you to locate a stolen or lost device at any time using satellite geolocation. If you sync your device with iCloud servers via Apple ID, you can access it. But in some cases, this feature should be disabled. This can be done in several ways, including through a home computer.

When to turn off Find My iPhone

Perhaps the feature was activated by accident, or you are not the only one who has access to your Apple ID account, and you do not want this person to be able to determine your location. Also, it is worth remembering that people who are in the "Family Sharing" group can view each other's location, if you do not prohibit this in the settings.

If you try to restore or update your device's firmware using iTunes while Find My iPhone is enabled, you will see an error that asks you to disable it.

If you try to erase your device's settings and content, you'll also receive a notification asking you to deactivate Find My iPhone.

How to deactivate the function

There are several ways to help you turn off Find My iPhone. Which one to choose depends on which device you are going to do it from.

IOS for iPhone or iPad

The following methods are suitable for those who will be doing all the steps from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Through iCloud settings

  1. Moving on to the iCloud section.
  2. Find and disable the desired function by overtaking the corresponding slider so that it takes on a gray tint.
  3. If asked, you will need to enter your Apple ID password.
  4. A notification will be sent to the mail that is linked to your account that the "Find iPhone" function has been successfully disabled.

By completely disabling iCloud

  1. Open the "Settings" application.
  2. Moving on to the iCloud section.
  3. You need to log out of your account. Click the "Remove Account" button. Fear not, it will not be completely deleted, only from the device's memory.
  4. Choose what to do with the synced data: keep or erase.
  5. Write down the password for your account, if it is not saved in the device's memory.
  6. Wait for the end of the process of logging out of the account. Done, all features, including Find My iPhone, are disconnected from your phone or tablet.

Through the app

  1. In the device menu, find the Find My iPhone app and open it.
  2. Log in to your account using your username and password.
  3. Wait until the end of the process of collecting information about devices associated with your account.
  4. The list will show all phones and tablets on which the "Find iPhone" function is activated through your account. Select the one you want and swipe it from right to left so that the "Delete" button appears, which you need to click.
  5. It is worth remembering that the device on which you are trying to deactivate the function must be disconnected from the Wi-Fi network and mobile Internet. Otherwise, the Delete button will not appear.
  6. Confirm the action by clicking the "Delete" button again.

The disadvantage of this method is that the device on which you disabled the function will reactivate it the first time you connect to the Internet. That is, in order to permanently deactivate the function, you need to do this through the iCloud settings.

Via a Windows computer, Mac OS or Android

There is one way to disable Find My iPhone for all of these platforms - through the official iCloud website. The only thing you need is an internet browser.

  1. Follow the link: https://www.icloud.com/#find and log in.
  2. Expand the All Devices menu.
  3. Select the phone or tablet on which you want to disable the feature.
  4. Detailed information about the device will open, click the "Erase iPhone, iPad" button.
  5. Confirm the action by clicking the "Erase" button.
  6. Write down the password for your Apple ID account.
  7. If you want, enter the number, it will be sent to the device on which the function was disabled.
  8. You can add a text message to the entered number.
  9. Done, confirmation has been sent to the device. Find My iPhone will be disabled as soon as your phone or tablet connects to the Internet.

Can I turn off Find My iPhone without my Apple ID password?

The answer is no, as this is a violation of simple security rules that Apple will not agree to. If it was possible to disable this feature without a password, then it simply would not make sense. Attackers would steal devices and disable this feature, making it completely impossible to find the device. One of the versions of the IOS firmware had a hole with which it was possible to disable the "Find iPhone" function without a password, but this was quickly fixed in the next update.

What if I can't turn off Find My iPhone?

The problem may arise if you disable the function not through the settings of the device itself, but from another phone or computer. The error occurs if the device is connected to the Internet or is simply turned on during the process of disabling the function. There is only one way out - to disconnect the device from the Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet, and, if the first did not help, completely disconnect the device so that it goes offline.

Remember that you should only turn off Find My iPhone as a last resort, since you can never predict whether you will have to search for a device or not. If you disabled it in order to perform an operation to restore, update or reset the device, then as soon as you finish the process, activate the function again.