Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com
If your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com.
To sign in to Find Devices, go to icloud.com/find.
What happens when you erase a device in Find Devices?
A confirmation email is sent to your Apple ID email address.
Activation Lock remains on to protect the device. Your Apple ID and password are required to reactivate the device.
If you erase a device that has iOS 15, iPadOS 15 or later installed, you can use Find Devices to locate or play a sound on the device. Otherwise, you will not be able to locate or play a sound on it. You may still be able to locate your Mac or Apple Watch if it is near a previously used Wi-Fi network.
Remotely erase your device or a family member’s device
In Find Devices on iCloud.com, tap the device you want to erase in the Devices list.
Tap Erase This Device.
Do one of the following, depending on what you want to erase:
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch: enter your Apple ID password or your family member’s Apple ID password. If you are not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code that has been sent to a trusted device or phone number. If you are using your own device and want to skip the verification step in the future, tap Trust. If you are using a friend’s device, tap Do Not Trust.
Mac: enter your Apple ID password or your family member’s Apple ID password. If you are not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code that has been sent to a trusted device or phone number. If you are using your own device and want to skip the verification step in the future, tap Trust. If you are using a friend’s device, tap Do Not Trust. Enter a passcode to lock the Mac (you need to use the passcode to unlock it).
If the device is lost and you are asked to enter a phone number or message, you may want to indicate that the device is lost or how to contact you. The number and message appear on the device’s locked screen.
To return to the Devices list, tap
.
If your device is online, the remote erase begins after you follow the onscreen instructions. If your device is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it is online.
For more information about trusted devices and verification codes, see the Apple Support article Two-factor authentication for Apple ID.
Cancel an erase
If your device is offline, the remote erase happens the next time it is online. If you find the device before it is erased, you can cancel the request.
In Find Devices on iCloud.com, tap the device in the Devices list.
Tap Stop Erase Request, then enter your Apple ID password.
If Find My is not set up on your missing device, see the Apple Support article Find your lost iPhone or iPad with Find My.
Note: If you do not expect to find your iPhone, iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) or Apple Watch (Wi-Fi + Cellular models), contact your network provider to suspend service so you are not responsible for phone calls or other charges.