Can I locate my lost iPad with serial number?

My son lost his ipad but I have the original box and I can see the serial number on it, Unfortunately I am unable to see his ipad in Find my devices. HOW SHOULD I BE ABLE TO TRACK THE IPAD??


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad (10th generation)

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 1:01 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 3:28 PM

Your iPad cannot be traced or remotely managed using the device Serial Number. For future reference, here is Apple’s advice for lost or stolen devices:

Locate a device in Find My on iPad - Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

Use the Find My app to locate a lost or stolen device – Apple Support


If the Find My iPad feature was enabled prior to it being “misplaced”, then if still active, you would stand a good chance of locating it.  However, if the feature was not activated prior to being misplaced, has since been deactivated, or has been inactive and without a network connection for more than 24 hours, the last known location will not be available - and the opportunity to use technical means to recover the iPad have been lost.


Assuming that you still have access to your AppleID account (now also known as your Apple Account), you would be best advised to change your account Password:

Change your Apple Account password - Apple Support


If your iPad was a WiFi+Cellular model, with an active Cellular plan, ensure that you inform your Cellular Service Provider so that your plan can be suspended/cancelled and your IMEI blocked.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 6, 2025 3:28 PM in response to eweq123

Your iPad cannot be traced or remotely managed using the device Serial Number. For future reference, here is Apple’s advice for lost or stolen devices:

Locate a device in Find My on iPad - Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen – Apple Support

Use the Find My app to locate a lost or stolen device – Apple Support


If the Find My iPad feature was enabled prior to it being “misplaced”, then if still active, you would stand a good chance of locating it.  However, if the feature was not activated prior to being misplaced, has since been deactivated, or has been inactive and without a network connection for more than 24 hours, the last known location will not be available - and the opportunity to use technical means to recover the iPad have been lost.


Assuming that you still have access to your AppleID account (now also known as your Apple Account), you would be best advised to change your account Password:

Change your Apple Account password - Apple Support


If your iPad was a WiFi+Cellular model, with an active Cellular plan, ensure that you inform your Cellular Service Provider so that your plan can be suspended/cancelled and your IMEI blocked.


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Can I locate my lost iPad with serial number?

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