Find my iPhone
Would it really help me find my iPhone?
iPhone XS, iOS 12
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Best reply
If the device is lost, certainly. It must be powered on and have an internet connection (WiFi or cellular data). Find my iPhone was never intended as a theft deterrent mechanism though so it may not help with a stolen device. It is simply a feature to help find a lost device.
Find my iPhone can also be used with lost mode where you can display a message on the lock screen, say with contact information. Or to remote erase the device if you wish to give up the remote tracking features and wipe your data from it. Enabling find my iPhone on a device also enables activation lock with that device.
https://support.apple.com/kb/ph2698?locale=en_US and Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support