Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Using Find My iPhone
• Method 2 of 2: Using the Find Friends app

This article will show you how to use the built-in GPS and preinstalled apps on iPhone to find your device.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using Find My iPhone

1. 1 On iPhone, open the Settings app. The icon for this app is a gray gear (⚙️) and is usually found on the home screen.
2. 2 Click on "Apple ID". This section is at the top of the Settings menu and includes your name and picture (if any).
   • If you're not already signed in, click Sign In>, enter your Apple ID and password, and then click Sign In.
   • If you are using an older version of iOS, skip this step.
3. 3 Click iCloud. This option is located in the second section of the menu.
4. 4 Scroll down the screen and tap Find iPhone. It's near the bottom of the Apps Using iCloud section.
5. 5 Move the "Find iPhone" slider to the "On" position. It will turn green. This feature will allow you to find your iPhone using your device.
6. 6 Move the "Last Location" slider to the "On" position. The iPhone will now report its location to Apple when the battery is close to low, that is, before turning off the smartphone.
7. 7 Open Find My iPhone on another device. Launch this app on a mobile device or via iCloud in a web browser.
8. 8 Sign in with your Apple ID. Enter the Apple ID and password you used on your iPhone.
   • If the app is installed on a device that belongs to someone else, click Sign Out (in the upper right corner of the screen) and then enter your Apple ID.
9. 9 Click on your iPhone. It will appear in the list of devices under the map. The location of your phone is displayed on a map, which zooms in when you click on your iPhone.
   • If the phone is turned off or its battery is low, the app will display the last known location of your phone.
10. 10 Click Actions. This button is in the center of the bottom of the screen.
11. 11 Click Play Alarm. This button is in the lower-left corner of the screen. If your iPhone is nearby, it will play an alarm so you can find it.
12. 12 Click Lost Mode. This button is in the center of the bottom of the screen. Use this option if your iPhone has been lost where someone can find it, or if it has been stolen.
    • Enter your phone unlock code. Use a random set of numbers that is not associated with personal information (date of birth, driver's license number, etc.).
    • Send a message and a contact phone number that will be displayed on the screen of your phone.
    • If iPhone is connected to a network, it will be locked immediately and cannot be reset without a lock code. You will see the current location of your phone, as well as its movement.
    • If your phone is offline, it will be locked immediately when you exit offline. You will receive an email notification and can track the location of the device.
13. 13 Click Erase iPhone. This button is in the lower right corner of the screen. Use this feature if you think you won't be able to find your iPhone or that your personal information will fall into the wrong hands.
    • Doing so will erase all user data from your device and will no longer be able to use Find My iPhone.
    • Back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes regularly so that your lost data can be restored.

Method 2 of 2: Using the Find Friends app

1. 1 On iPhone, open the Settings app. The icon for this app is a gray gear (⚙️) and is usually found on the home screen.
2. 2 Click on "Apple ID". This section is at the top of the Settings menu and includes your name and picture (if any).
   • If you're not already signed in, click Sign In>, enter your Apple ID and password, and then click Sign In.
   • If you are using an older version of iOS, skip this step.
3. 3 Click iCloud. This option is located in the second section of the menu.
4. 4 Scroll down the screen and tap Share location. It's in the last section of the menu.
5. 5 Move the Share Location slider to the On position. The slider turns green.
6. 6 Click From device>. This button is at the top of the page.
7. 7 Click on "iPhone". Your iPhone share your location with the Find Friends app.
   • The described options must be activated on any device that you want to find using the Find Friends application.
8. 8 Open the Find Friends app on your iPhone. The icon of this application looks like two people on an orange background.
   • Find My Friends is preinstalled on devices running iOS 9 and newer systems.
9. 9 Click Add. This button is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
10. 10 Enter your friend or family member's Apple ID. Do this on the "To" line (at the top of the screen).
    • Or click "⊕" (on the right side of the screen) to add an Apple ID from your contacts.
11. 11 Click Submit. You will find this button in the upper right corner of the screen.
12. 12 Choose a time frame. Specify the period of time during which your friends / family will be able to receive the location data of your iPhone. Choose one of the following options:
    • "Share for one hour"
    • "Share before the end of the day"
    • "Share for an unlimited time"
13. 13 Ask a friend to accept your request for their iPhone. Your friend should click “Accept” (as a response to the request) and then click “Share” if they want to share their phone location with you.
14. 14 Track the location of your iPhone. A friend's iPhone can track the location of their iPhone (only if the device is turned on and connected to a network). If a friend has shared their location with you, you can follow their iPhone in the Find Friends app.