How to locate a lost iPhone without Find My?

Swonderg18 wrote:

with finder turned off

If “finder” really means “Find My”, then the only ways to recover the iPhone would be to either spot it using your eyes, or hear it ringing when telephoning it.

If your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen - Apple Support

You didn't complete the statement. Was Find My turned on or off? If on, use this link for information --> Find your lost Apple device or AirTag with Find My - Apple Support

If Find My was NOT turned on, the only way to find the lost phone is to use your eyes, trace your steps, etc.

Click here for information; in addition, post notices around where it got lost, and if applicable, contact the Lost & Found department of the facility involved.

(254944)

Find My on the phone must have been enabled before the phone was lost.

Please follow the instructions in this Apple Support document:

If your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen - Apple Support

If it had Find My turned on, he can use Find My on another Apple device signed in to the same Apple ID, or log into the Web site https://www.icloud.com/find . (He can also mark it as Lost there – which I would encourage him to do as soon as possible.)

If your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen - Apple Support

Do's and Don'ts for lost iPhones - Switched Off - Offline - Beware of Phishing – Apple Community