iCloud: Lock and track your device

Lock and track your device

You can prevent someone from using your lost iOS device or Mac by remotely locking the device with a passcode—a number that must be entered before the device can be used. If your lost iOS device has iOS 6 installed, you can also track its location as it moves using Lost Mode.

To lock and track your device using Lost Mode, or to lock an iOS 5 device or a Mac with OS X v10.7.5 or later installed, you need to have set up Find My iPhone on the device before it was lost.

Important:   If you lock your Mac, you may no longer be able to use Find My iPhone to locate it, and you won’t be able to erase it remotely. Also, if you forget your passcode, or if you set an EFI firmware password on your Mac before it was lost, then remotely lock it and later find it, you may need to take it to an authorized repair center to unlock it.

Use Lost Mode (iOS 6 devices) or lock your iOS 5 device or Mac

  1. Sign in to icloud.com/find using your Apple ID (the one you use with iCloud).

    If you’re already signed in to a different application on icloud.com, click the iCloud button iCloud button to switch applications.

  2. Click Devices, then select the device you want to lock or track.

    Image of Find My iPhone Devices list

  3. Click Lost Mode (iOS 6 devices, shown below), or Lock (iOS 5 or OS X v10.7.5 or later devices).

    Image of the Lock button in the device window

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions, keeping the following in mind:

    • If you’re asked to enter a passcode, type the digits that will be required to unlock and use your device if it’s found. For greater security, use random numbers that aren’t associated with personal information (for example, don’t use the year you were born or your street address).

      Note:   If your iOS device already has a passcode, you’re not asked to enter a passcode; the device locks using the existing passcode.

    • If you’re asked to enter a phone number, you can enter a number where you can be reached. The number will appear along with your message (if you add one) on the device’s locked screen.

    • If you’re asked to enter a message, you may want to indicate the device is lost or how to contact you, such as: “This iPhone is lost. If found, please call me.” The message will appear on the device’s locked screen.

If your device is online, it locks and tracking begins (if applicable) immediately, and a confirmation email is sent to your Apple ID email address (the one you use with iCloud). If the device is a Mac, it restarts before it’s locked. If the device is offline, the lock and tracking (if applicable) take effect the next time it’s online.

If you used Lost Mode, you see the device’s current location, as well as any changes in its location on the map.

Image of the Lock button in the device window

To change the message or phone number shown on the lost device, or to turn off Lost Mode, click Lost Mode, then make your changes.