Set up Find My iPhone
Once you turn on Find My [device] on a device that meets minimum system requirements (see the Apple Support article System requirements for iCloud), you can use Find My iPhone to locate and protect the device if it’s ever lost or stolen.
Activation Lock is also turned on automatically. Activation Lock makes it harder for anyone to use or sell your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch if it’s ever lost or stolen. See the Apple Support article Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.
Note: You should set up multiple methods of verifying your identity in case one of your devices is lost or stolen. See the Apple Support article Two-factor authentication for Apple ID.
Set up an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, do one of the following:
iOS 13 or iPadOS: Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My.
iOS 12 or earlier: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Find My iPhone.
If you’re asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, tap “Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?,” then follow the instructions.
If Find My [device] is turned off, turn it on.
Turn on any of the following:
Enable Offline Finding: For a device with iOS 13 or iPadOS, Offline Finding allows your device to be found if it’s not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular.
Note: Find My iPhone on iCloud.com doesn’t support Offline Finding. You must use the Find My app on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
Send Last Location: If your device is lost or stolen and its battery charge level becomes critically low, its location is sent to Apple automatically. When you use Find My iPhone to locate that device, you see where it was before its battery ran out of charge.
Tip: For added security, set up a passcode that needs to be entered before anyone can access the apps and information on your device.
Set up a Mac
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
> System Preferences, then do one of the following:macOS Catalina 10.15: Click Apple ID, then click iCloud.
macOS 10.14 or earlier: Click iCloud.
If you’re asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, click Create Apple ID, then follow the instructions.
If Find My Mac is turned off, select it to turn it on.
When you select Find My Mac on a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15, Offline Finding is turned on. Offline Finding allows your Mac to be located using Bluetooth when your Mac isn’t connected to Wi-Fi. To turn off this option, click Options, then click Turn Off next to Offline Finding.
Tip: For added security, make sure your user account requires a password and that automatic login is turned off in Users & Groups preferences.
Set up an Apple Watch or AirPods
Share your location with family members
If you’re part of a Family Sharing group, you can use Find My iPhone to help find and protect any family member’s devices. First, each family member must set up their devices to share their locations with other family members.
To manage Family Sharing on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
iOS 13 or iPadOS: Go to Settings > [your name] > Family Sharing > Location Sharing, then turn on Share My Location. Under Family, you can choose which of your family members can see the location of your devices.
iOS 12 or earlier: Go to Settings > [your name] > Share My Location, then turn on Share My Location. Under Family, you can choose which of your family members can see the location of your devices.
To manage Family Sharing on a Mac:
macOS Catalina 10.15: Choose Apple menu
> System Preferences, then click Family Sharing.macOS 10.14 or earlier: Choose Apple menu
> System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Manage Family.
See the Apple Support article Share your location with your family.
If you’re having trouble with Find My iPhone, see the Apple Support article Get help with Find My iPhone.