How to track down stolen or lost iPhone

Nowadays Apple can boast a large number of services, including Find my iPhone, useful for finding a lost or stolen phone.

In fact, if this function was active at the time of theft or loss, you can not only track your device directly from a computer or another iPhone, but you can also block it and prevent third parties from accessing it.

Unfortunately it is possible to trace the stolen or lost device only with Find my iPhone; in case this function has never been activated, it is recommended to perform some steps that could help you to protect your data.

Content index

• Track iPhone if Find My iPhone is on
• What to do if Find My iPhone is off
• Other useful articles

Track iPhone if Find My iPhone is on

1. First, log in to the Official site di iCloud if you are using a PC, or use theofficial app from iPhone or iPad.
2. Then log in with your details, and click on Find my iPhone.
3. Now click on All devices, and select the device to be tracked: if the device is online, then a green ball, while if the device is offline there will be a gray dot.
4. If your device is nearby, then click on Make sound and the device will play a sound.
5. Otherwise click on Lost mode: in this way you will not only lock the iPhone with a code, but you will prevent third parties from accessing your data. In fact, by activating this mode, you will be asked to enter a telephone contact and to set a message in which you will say that you have lost your phone (this message will in fact appear on the screen of your device, in case someone finds it).
6. If you use the function "in family" (where each member can locate not only their own device location, but the location of others as well), repeat the above steps from a member's phone, and on All devices you will find the devices associated with the family account, including yours.

In desperate cases, you can also use the function Initialize iPhone: in this way all the data on the phone will be deleted, but you will no longer be able to trace it through the function Find my iPhone.

What to do if Find My iPhone is off

If the function Find my iPhone is not active on your lost device, so it is recommended to perform the following steps:

• Change the Apple ID password: if you are using a PC, access the official page of the Apple ID, and click Change Password from the section Safety; if you are using an iPhone, follow our guide on how to change Apple ID password.
• Report the theft or loss to law enforcement, which may request the serial number of your device or the IMEI code: in this case then check the barcode of the original packaging, the invoice or the receipt of the product.
• Contact the telephone operator and ask to deactivate your number, in order to prevent calls, messages and use of mobile data.

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