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How to use Find My iPhone

We all should know how to use Find My iPhone as this handy Apple feature can help you to track down missing or stolen iOS devices.

How to use Find My iPhone - the Find My app icon in front of a pink and orange background

How do I use Find My iPhone? Everybody loses their phone at some point; it’s a fact of life, but knowing how Find My iPhone works can be a lifesaver (well, phone saver) for iOS users. Not only can it track your cell phone, but it can also help you keep tabs on other Apple products, such as iPads, so let’s take a look at how to use Find My iPhone. We can even tell you what to do if you don’t have a second Apple device on hand.

No need to stop there either. We’re ready to offer all sorts of assistance when coming to grips with your iOS devices. If you’re a gamer, we’ve got guides to the best iPhone games and the best Apple Arcade games to check out. Or, if your cell phone isn’t up to the task, you can see our guide to the best gaming phones to find something new.

How do I use Find My iPhone?

When you inevitably lose your phone, you obviously want to track it down, and if you’re an Apple user, the Find My app can help you out. However, while it can tell you where your device is, it’s not so advanced that it can tell you it’s behind the couch. Here’s how Find My works:

  • Use a different Apple device (an iPad if it’s your iPhone that’s missing, for instance)
  • Go to the Find My app
  • Select devices
  • Choose your lost device
  • You can then select directions if you need to travel for it
  • Or select play sound to hear it if it’s nearby, as the device will vibrate and emit a noise

Even if your device is offline, you can still track them down with Find My on an iOS device.

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How do I use Find My iPhone without a second Apple device?

Head to iCloud.com if you don’t have a second Apple device to use Find My on. The site allows you to follow the steps from the last section and track down your device. The caveat is that if your phone is turned off, the site can’t locate it.

Should that option be a no-go, that’s okay, as long as you have a family member who’s willing to help you out with their device. However, you do need to be part of the same family sharing group, and you need to share your device with them before you lose it. If you do and then it goes missing, your loved one can go onto the app and track down your device for you.

How do I delete devices on Find My?

You don’t need every device you’ve ever owned on Find My, and the service only lets you have a few per Apple ID anyway, so it’s best to delete your old device as soon as you upgrade. Here’s how to delete devices on Find My:

  • Go to Find My
  • Select devices
  • Choose the device you want to remove
  • Scroll down
  • Select erase

With that, you know how to use Find My iPhone. Now that you have your device back, perhaps you want to peruse our Netflix download, Disney Plus download, Paramount Plus download, and Hulu download guides to get some entertainment.