You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I find my lost iPhone if I never turned on the Find My app and my location services are off

How do I find my lost iPhone if I never turned on the Find My app and my location services are off

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 13

Posted on May 26, 2020 6:33 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 26, 2020 6:36 AM

If you didn't turn on Find My [device] before your device was lost or stolen, it can't be used to locate your device. Change your Apple ID password. Change the passwords for other internet accounts on your device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, or Twitter etc...


Don'ts

If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to turn on and use your device.


I see my device in Find My, but it's offline


If you see "Offline," "No location available," or "Location Services Off," your device might be offline for one of these reasons:

  • It's powered off, the battery has run out, or more than 24 hours passed since the last location was sent to Apple (if Send Last Location is turned on). When your device is connected to the Internet, you can see the remaining battery in the upper-right corner of the information pane. 
  • Your Find My compatible device isn't connected to a known Wi-Fi or data network. Wait a few minutes and try again.
  • You're in a country or region where we don't offer this feature. This feature might not be available in your country or region due to technical limitations or local law.


You can still play a sound, send a message, issue a lock request, or start an erase of your iOS device with Find My [device]. Your device receives the command after you turn on your device and connect to the Internet.


If you contact your wireless service provider to report your device lost or stolen, they might deactivate your SIM card or account. This turns off service for your iPhone and you won't be able to find, play a sound, send a message, issue a lock request, or start an erase of your iOS device with Find My [device]. However, we'll help you learn how to protect your information.


Your device's last known location is available for one day. If your device is offline or can't connect to Find My [device] for more than 24 hours, you won't be able to see the last known location.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 26, 2020 6:36 AM in response to eathan256

If you didn't turn on Find My [device] before your device was lost or stolen, it can't be used to locate your device. Change your Apple ID password. Change the passwords for other internet accounts on your device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, or Twitter etc...


Don'ts

If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to turn on and use your device.


I see my device in Find My, but it's offline


If you see "Offline," "No location available," or "Location Services Off," your device might be offline for one of these reasons:

  • It's powered off, the battery has run out, or more than 24 hours passed since the last location was sent to Apple (if Send Last Location is turned on). When your device is connected to the Internet, you can see the remaining battery in the upper-right corner of the information pane. 
  • Your Find My compatible device isn't connected to a known Wi-Fi or data network. Wait a few minutes and try again.
  • You're in a country or region where we don't offer this feature. This feature might not be available in your country or region due to technical limitations or local law.


You can still play a sound, send a message, issue a lock request, or start an erase of your iOS device with Find My [device]. Your device receives the command after you turn on your device and connect to the Internet.


If you contact your wireless service provider to report your device lost or stolen, they might deactivate your SIM card or account. This turns off service for your iPhone and you won't be able to find, play a sound, send a message, issue a lock request, or start an erase of your iOS device with Find My [device]. However, we'll help you learn how to protect your information.


Your device's last known location is available for one day. If your device is offline or can't connect to Find My [device] for more than 24 hours, you won't be able to see the last known location.


How do I find my lost iPhone if I never turned on the Find My app and my location services are off

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.