Use Find My iPhone Activation Lock

Find My iPhone on iOS 7 or later devices include the Activation Lock feature. It makes it harder for anyone to use or sell a lost or stolen iPhone or iPad.

DEVICE SUPPORT

Using Find My iPhone

View Security tutorials to learn to use Find My iPhone on your Apple device.Learn more

DETAILED STEPS

Learn how to use Find My iPhone Activation Lock

Before you begin

About Find My iPhone Activation Lock
Turning on Find My iPhone also enables Activation Lock on your iOS 7 or later device. Enabling Find My iPhone Activation Lock:

Allows you to locate, lock, or erase your device remotely.
Prevents your device from being erased or reactivated without your Apple ID and password.

Visit Device Support
View Security tutorials for detailed instructions about Find My iPhone on your iOS 7 or later Apple device.

Main steps

Turn Find My iPhone on and off
To turn Find My iPhone on and off:

From your Home screen, tap Settings > iCloud.
If you’re asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Find My iPhone.
Slide to turn Find My iPhone and Send Last Location on or off. Sign in with your Apple ID, if necessary.

Turn off Activation Lock
You must turn off Activation Lock before returning, exchanging, trading in, selling, or giving away your device:

The best way to do this is to erase all content and settings from your device before handing it over.
This will completely erase your device, turn off Find My iPhone, and remove the device from your Apple ID account.
On your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Learn how to remove your personal information to sell or give away your device, even if you don't have it anymore.

Additional steps

Locate missing iPhone or iPad
To locate a missing iOS device:

With Family Sharing and Find My iPhone, any family member can help locate another member’s missing device.
Learn how to use Find my iPhone if your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen.
If you’re unable to recover your missing iOS device, visit suspending service for lost or stolen device.

Visit Apple Support
To learn more, visit the following Apple Support articles:

Visit Find My iPhone Activation Lock to learn how Find My iPhone and Activation Lock protects your iPhone or iPad.
Learn how to set up Find My iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Learn how to turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock and remove your device from a previous owner's Apple ID so that you can set up and use it.
Learn about Activation Lock on Apple Watch.
Get help using Find My iPhone.

Last updated: March 03, 2021