has anyone had luck tracking an iphone when findmy is not activated?

Jammom23 wrote:

How to find phone when find my isn't activated.

If you didn't activate Find My before the phone was lost or stolen, the only thing you can do is look for it the old-fashioned way. Go to the last place you remember using it and retrace your steps. Ask in lost and founds. If it was stolen, file a police report.

But, realistically, it's gone, and you're not getting it back.

How to find phone when find my isn't activated.

Physically look for the phone.