Find My iPhone: How to Add or Remove a Device

Adding your devices to Find My iPhone lets you locate them on a map, play a sound, or lock them remotely if they’re lost or stolen. Removing a device stops it from appearing in your list and disables Activation Lock, which is essential before you sell, trade in, or give away your iPhone. You’ll need your Apple ID password and, for removal, the device itself or its passcode.

What You’ll Need

• Your Apple ID and password
• The iPhone or iPad you want to add (it must be signed in to iCloud)
• For removal: the device’s passcode, or access to the device itself
• An internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)

Step-by-Step

How to Add an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. On the device you want to add, open Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top to open Apple ID settings.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Scroll down and tap Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad/iPod).
5. Tap Find My iPhone to turn it on. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password.
6. Make sure Find My network is also enabled. This lets you locate the device even when it’s offline.
7. Tap Allow if asked to use your device’s location.
8. To verify it’s added, open the Find My app on another device, tap Devices, and confirm your device appears in the list.

How to Add a Mac

1. On your Mac, open System Settings (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (earlier versions).
2. Click your name at the top, then click iCloud.
3. Scroll down and click Find My Mac.
4. Click Turn On. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password.
5. Allow location access when asked.
6. Open the Find My app to confirm your Mac appears under Devices.

How to Add AirPods, an Apple Watch, or Other Accessories

1. Pair the accessory with your iPhone as you normally would (e.g., open the AirPods case near your iPhone).
2. Once paired, Find My is enabled automatically. No extra steps are needed.
3. To check, open the Find My app and tap Devices. Your accessory should appear there.

How to Remove a Device from Find My iPhone

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the device you want to remove from the list.
4. Swipe up on the info card or scroll down to the bottom.
5. Tap Remove This Device.
6. Tap Remove again to confirm.
7. If the device is offline, it may take a few minutes to disappear from your list. If it’s online, it will be removed immediately.

Removing a Device Before Selling or Trading It In

1. On the device itself, go to Settings > Your Name > Find My.
2. Turn off Find My iPhone. You’ll be asked for your Apple ID password.
3. Then go back to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Erase All Content and Settings.
4. This removes Activation Lock and your personal data, making the device ready for a new owner.

Common Mistakes

• Not turning off Find My before erasing: If you erase a device while Find My is still on, Activation Lock stays active and the next owner can’t set it up without your Apple ID.
• Removing the device instead of turning off Find My: Removing it from the Find My app does not disable Activation Lock on the device itself. You must turn off Find My on the device or erase it while signed in.
• Forgetting to enable Find My network: Without this, you can’t locate the device when it’s offline or powered off.
• Using the wrong Apple ID: If you have multiple Apple IDs, make sure the device is signed in to the same one you’re checking in Find My.

Tips

• Turn on Send Last Location in Find My settings. This automatically sends the device’s location to Apple when the battery is critically low.
• Use Family Sharing to see family members’ devices in one place. Each person still controls their own device.
• If you’re traveling, keep Find My on and enable Offline Finding so you can locate your device even without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
• Before selling, check that the device no longer appears under Devices in Find My after you’ve erased it. If it still shows, you may need to remove it manually.

Troubleshooting

• Device won’t appear in Find My: Make sure the device is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID you’re using in Find My. Check that Find My is actually toggled on in Settings. If it still doesn’t show, restart the device and try again.
• Can’t remove a device because it’s offline: Open Find My, select the device, and tap Remove This Device. If it’s offline, removal may take a few minutes. If it never disappears, sign in to iCloud.com/find and remove it from there.
• Activation Lock is still on after erasing: You must turn off Find My before erasing. If you already erased it, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID and password on the device during setup, or use iCloud.com/find to remove the device from your account.
• Forgot your Apple ID password: Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it. You’ll need access to the email or phone number associated with your account.
• Device shows “No location found”: This usually means the device is offline, powered off, or has no network connection. Wait and try again later, or use Play Sound if the device is nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a device from Find My turn off Activation Lock?

No. Removing it from the Find My app only removes it from your device list. Activation Lock stays on until you turn off Find My on the device itself or erase it while signed in to iCloud.

Can I add a device to Find My remotely?

No. You must have physical access to the device to sign in to iCloud and enable Find My in Settings.

What happens if I remove a device that’s currently lost?

Removing it disables Find My for that device, so you’ll no longer be able to track it, play a sound, or put it in Lost Mode. Only do this if you’re sure you don’t need those features anymore.

Can someone else use my device after I remove it from Find My?

Only if you also turn off Find My on the device itself (or erase it while signed in). Otherwise, Activation Lock will block them from setting it up as new.

Why does my device show in Find My but I can’t remove it?

This can happen if the device is offline or if you’re not signed in to the same Apple ID. Try signing in to iCloud.com/find and removing it from there.

Does Find My work on Android or Windows?

Find My is an Apple service. You can view your devices by signing in to iCloud.com/find in any web browser, but there’s no official Android or Windows app for tracking Apple devices.

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