How to Fix Find My Not Working on iPhone

ByJim Miller

Find My is a valuable tool for tracking your Apple devices on the go, including AirTag items and your Apple family members. However, it can be frustrating when Find My fails to show your devices. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix Find My not working on your iPhone or iPad. Let's explore some of the best solutions below.

Why Isn't Find My Working?

There could be several reasons why Find My isn't working on your iPhone:

  • Find My feature is not active on your iPhone.
  • The iPhone has been turned off (before iOS 15.2).
  • You are using a different Apple ID.
  • Location sharing is turned off on your family member's device.
  • Incorrect time and date settings.
  • Outdated iOS or iPadOS software.
  • Poor network connectivity on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Dead AirTag battery or isolated location for your item.

Most of these fixes will only work if your device is accessible. Let's dive in and get started.

1. Enable Find My

To track your Apple device using Find My, you need to enable it first:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to your Apple ID.
  2. Scroll to Find My.
  3. Tap Find My iPhone and enable the Find My iPhone, Find My network, and Send Last Location toggles from the menu.

2. Charge Your Device

Find My should still be able to locate your device even if it's turned off or low on power. However, it's a good idea to keep your device fully charged to avoid any issues.

3. Check Apple ID

Make sure you're using the same Apple ID on iCloud web as your main device to locate your lost iPhone via the Find My network. Using a different Apple ID will prevent Find My from working as expected.

4. Check Location Services

To enable precise tracking with Find My, make sure location services are enabled on your iPhone:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Privacy & Security.
  2. Select Location Services and enable the toggle.

5. Check Network Connection

Your iPhone relies on the internet or Bluetooth to send its location to the Find My network. If you're experiencing network issues, troubleshoot the network connection on your iPhone or iPad. You can try enabling and disabling Airplane mode or resetting network settings.

6. Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your iPhone can cause issues with Find My. Make sure to check and fix your device's date and time settings in the General settings.

7. AirTag Battery

If you're using AirTag to track your items, keep in mind that it uses a standard CR2032 battery. If the AirTag battery is dead, you won't be able to track your devices. Additionally, if your device is lost in a remote area, it may not be able to update its location on the Find My network.

8. Enable Location Sharing on Your Family Member's Device

If you're using Find My to track your family members, you'll need to add them to Apple Family and enable location sharing on their devices. Follow these steps:

  1. Launch Settings on your iPhone and select Family.
  2. Tap on your family member and check the location sharing status on their phone.
  3. Pick up their iPhone, go to Settings, select Family, and tap on their profile.
  4. Tap Location Sharing and share their location with you.

9. Update iOS

Make sure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest iOS version. Outdated software can cause issues with the Find My function. To update your device:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to General.
  2. Select Software Update and install the latest iOS build.

Find Your Lost Devices in No Time

By following these fixes, you can ensure that Find My works as expected on your iPhone or iPad. If you still can't locate your iPhone, contact your carrier and report the theft to the authorities. Keep in mind that if your AirTag device is lost in a remote area, it may be challenging to find it via the Find My network.