Knowing how to use Find My to locate Apple Devices can be a vital tool in locating lost or stolen devices.
There are two main ways to access Find My; on another Apple device or on iCloud.com.
Initial Setup
The initial setup of the app is key as it does not initially have permission to work.
The device owner needs to open the app and allow it to track their location.
Newer OS users will also be prompted when powering down their device asking them to allow the device to be tracked even when powered off.
How It Works
Find My uses the device’s GPS tracking capabilities to ping the device and display it on a map.
It will display every device that is logged into the user’s Apple ID.
At times the map may only display a general area and not the exact location. This is especially true if the device is moving or off.
Here is a list of Apple devices and what Find My can and can’t do.
For Find My to work best, keeping the device updated is a must.
The most useful features of Find My are viewing location, playing a sound, marking as lost and remote erase.
- View Location: Allows tracking on a Map.
- Play a Sound: Causes the device to make a sound if misplaced, even if it is in silent mode.
- Mark as Lost: Allows a user to put contact information on the devices screen and keep anyone else from accessing the device.
- Remote Erase: Deletes all data on device. This does not allow another user to access the device.
Check out the Find My support page for more information on the different options.
In addition, Apple AirTags can be used to tracking other items, such as luggage. Find My can also locate supported Beats products.
If you have any questions about how to use Find My to locate Apple devices or our terminology wasn’t clear, please use our contact form to send us a message. Thanks!