Find My Friends: Frequently asked questions

Summary

Find My Friends is a free app for iOS 5 that allows you to easily locate your friends and family from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. See the frequently asked questions below to learn more about this free service.

Products Affected

iCloud

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What do I need in order to use Find My Friends?

  • An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5
  • The Find My Friends app
  • The Apple ID you use for iCloud

How do I set up Find My Friends?

Install the free Find My Friends app on your iOS 5 device and sign in with the Apple ID you use with iCloud. If you don't already have an Apple ID, you can create one right in Find My Friends. Just tap the Get a free account link on the sign in screen.

How do I add a friend?

Adding a friend is easy, just send a request to their email address to see their location. They need an iOS 5 device and Find My Friends installed. Once your friend agrees to share their location with you using the Find My Friends app, you will be able to see that friend’s location on a list or on a map.

For detailed instructions, see the Help section of the Find My Friends app. Go to the Me tab, then tap Account and Find My Friends Help.

How often is my device transmitting my location with Find My Friends?

Your location is sent from your device when someone requests to see your location. It is not transmitted on a regular interval. For more information, see iCloud Security & Privacy Overview.

Can I use Find My Friends on more than one device at a time?

Yes. You can sign in to and use Find My Friends from any iOS device you own. However, only one device can transmit your location to your followers. You can decide which one by going to the Me tab, tapping Account and choosing your active device. This choice only appears when you are currently signed in Find My Friends on multiple devices.  

I have accepted a location request from someone, why can't I see their location?

If you have accepted a request from someone to follow your location, that person will be able to see your location.  In order to see their location, you must invite them and they must accept it.

Is there a way to hide from followers?

Yes. The Hide from Followers feature will hide your location from all of friends who are following you. You will still be able to view the location of your friends and you will appear as "Location Not Available" when your followers try to locate you.

Is there a limit to the number of friends, followers, or temporary events?

  • You can follow up to 50 friends
  • You can have up to 50 friends follow you
  • You can participate in up to 10 temporary events
  • Each temporary event can contain up to 50 friends
  • Temporary friends don't count against your permanent friends limits
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