How to find a lost iPhone
- On a computer or any phone, go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple ID. You can do this without your iPhone.
- Or open the Find My app on another Apple device signed in to your account (or a friend's iPhone using "Help a Friend").
- Select your iPhone to see its location on the map. If it's offline you'll see its last known location.
- Choose Play Sound, Mark As Lost (locks it and shows your number) or Erase This Device.
Can you find an iPhone that is turned off?
Yes, often. iPhone 11 and newer can still be located through the Find My network for a period after they switch off or the battery runs low, as long as Find My was turned on. Older models show only the last location.
If your iPhone is stolen in South Africa
- Mark it as lost in Find My; don't try to recover it yourself.
- Open a case at SAPS and get a case number for insurance.
- Ask your network to blacklist the IMEI and suspend the SIM.
- Change your Apple ID, banking and email passwords.
How to turn off Find My iPhone (before selling or repairs)
- Settings › tap your name › Find My › Find My iPhone.
- Switch it off and enter your Apple ID password.
- Then erase the phone: Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings. See how to factory reset.
Sharing your location
In Find My, choose Me › Share My Location, or in Messages tap a contact › Share My Location. You can share for an hour, until the end of the day or indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my iPhone from another phone?
Go to icloud.com/find in any browser and sign in with your Apple ID, or use "Help a Friend" in a friend's Find My app.
How do I turn off Find My iPhone?
Settings › your name › Find My › Find My iPhone, switch it off and enter your Apple ID password.
Can police track a stolen iPhone?
Report it to SAPS with your case number and Find My location, but don't confront anyone yourself.