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.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

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

I need to find my iPhone

I have another Apple ID but my phone is lost and my account is in recovery


iPhone 12

Posted on Apr 15, 2022 3:01 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 15, 2022 8:17 PM

Did you enable Find My?


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 nor you can use the IMEI number for tracking the device.


The best action would be to Change your Apple ID password and change the passwords for other internet accounts on your device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, 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.




Find IMEI & Serial No. of the Lost Device


  1. If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple ...
  2. Find the serial number or IMEI on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod ...

You may use a web browser to get the Serial Number and the IMEI Number. You cannot track using the IMEI number. but you may need it so keep it handy

Log in to https://appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID credentials. All your devices will be listed there. Click on any to get the details.





Do's





Beware of Phishing!


Be careful and be smart to --> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phoney support calls ...

Note: Apple will never send you any info on Lost/Found iPhones. It (Phishing) may appear as the image given below.





Switched Off? Still traceable


Even if the iPhone is switched off it is findable, see the pic below.






Device Offline?


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.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 15, 2022 8:17 PM in response to Loriway21

Did you enable Find My?


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 nor you can use the IMEI number for tracking the device.


The best action would be to Change your Apple ID password and change the passwords for other internet accounts on your device. This can include email accounts, Facebook, 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.




Find IMEI & Serial No. of the Lost Device


  1. If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple ...
  2. Find the serial number or IMEI on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod ...

You may use a web browser to get the Serial Number and the IMEI Number. You cannot track using the IMEI number. but you may need it so keep it handy

Log in to https://appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID credentials. All your devices will be listed there. Click on any to get the details.





Do's





Beware of Phishing!


Be careful and be smart to --> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phoney support calls ...

Note: Apple will never send you any info on Lost/Found iPhones. It (Phishing) may appear as the image given below.





Switched Off? Still traceable


Even if the iPhone is switched off it is findable, see the pic below.






Device Offline?


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.


I need to find my iPhone

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