Find My iPhone is a powerful app that allows you to track your iOS device in case it goes missing. It’s a lifesaver if you ever misplace your phone or have it stolen. But what if your family member loses their phone and you need to find it ASAP? This is where adding family member phone to Find My iPhone comes in handy. By doing so, you’ll be able to locate their phone as well as yours from a single account. This feature is useful for many reasons, such as finding your children’s or elderly parent’s phone in case of an emergency. You can add up to 10 iOS devices to a single account, so feel free to add as many family members as you want!
In this post, we’ll be showing you how to add family member phone to Find My iPhone. We’ll also be discussing what you need and what requires your focus to make this process as smooth as possible. We’ll also look into different methods to add a family member phone to Find My iPhone, common issues and changes you may face, the implications and recommendations of using this feature, and answer some frequently asked questions. So let’s get started!
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To add a family member phone to Find My iPhone, you’ll need:
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.1 or later
- A Family Sharing group set up
- An iCloud account for each family member
If you don’t have these in place, you should do so before proceeding further.
What Requires Your Focus?
Before you start adding family member phone to Find My iPhone, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The family member whose phone you want to add must have Find My iPhone turned on on their device
- Make sure that the family member has accepted the Family Sharing invitation
- The family member whose phone you want to track must have their location services turned on
- Both you and the family member need to sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID
- The family member must have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.1 or later
Make sure you have everything in place before you proceed.
Different Methods to Add Family Member Phone to Find My iPhone
Method 1: Via iCloud.com on Your Mac or PC
You can easily add a family member phone to Find My iPhone via your computer by following these steps:
- Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com
- Sign in to your iCloud account
- Click on Find iPhone
- Enter your Apple ID and password, if prompted
- Select All Devices at the top of the screen
- Select the device you want to add
- Click on the Info icon next to the device
- Click on the Add button next to the family member’s name
- Click on Send Invitation
- Tap Done
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Can do this from your computer, no need to use the phone
- No additional apps needed to download
Cons:
- Need access to a computer
- Family member must accept the invitation to share their location
- You must remember your Apple ID and password
Method 2: Via the Find My App on Your iPhone or iPad
If you prefer to use your iOS device to add a family member phone to Find My iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Find My app on your device
- Tap on the Me tab at the bottom of the screen
- Tap on Share My Location
- Toggle on the Share My Location switch
- Tap on Add Person
- Enter the family member’s name and phone number or Apple ID
- Tap on Send
Pros:
- Easy to use on your iOS device
- You don’t need access to a computer
Cons:
- You need to download the Find My app if you don’t already have it
- Family member must accept the invitation to share their location
Method 3: Via the Family Sharing Feature on iPhone or iPad
With this method you can add a family member to your Family Sharing Group and, in the process, their phone will be added to Find My iPhone. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your name at the top of the screen
- Select Family Sharing
- Tap Add Family Member
- Choose how you want to add them
- Follow the prompts from there
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Automatically adds the phone to Find My iPhone
Cons:
- You need to set up Family Sharing if you haven’t already
- Family member must accept the invitation to share their location
Why Can’t I Add Family Member Phone to Find My iPhone and Fixes
There could be several reasons why you’re having trouble adding family member phone to Find My iPhone. Here are some possible issues and their respective fixes:
- The family member hasn’t accepted your invitation to share their location
- Fix: Ask the family member to accept your invitation
- The family member’s phone isn’t running iOS 13.1 or later
- Fix: The family member needs to upgrade their phone to the latest iOS version
- Your iCloud account doesn’t have Family Sharing set up
- Fix: Set up Family Sharing first before trying to add a family member phone to Find My iPhone
- The family member has turned off their location services
- Fix: Ask the family member to turn on their location services
Implications and Recommendations
Although adding family member phone to Find My iPhone is helpful, it can also be intrusive. The feature could be abused if you use it to snoop on your family members. It’s important to ask for their permission before adding them to the app and communicate the reasons behind it. It’s also important to ensure that their privacy is respected and their location is only used for genuine reasons, like finding a lost or stolen phone.
We recommend that you communicate with your family members before adding them to Find My iPhone. Use this feature responsibly and ensure that their privacy is not compromised.
5 FAQs about Adding Family Member Phone to Find My iPhone
Q: How do I know if I’ve successfully added a family member phone to Find My iPhone?
A: You can check if a phone has been added to Find My iPhone by opening the app and looking for the device. A blue dot next to the device icon indicates that the device is online and can be located.
Q: How many family members can I add to Find My iPhone?
A: You can add up to 10 iOS devices to Find My iPhone.
Q: What happens if my family member doesn’t want to be added to Find My iPhone?
A: You can’t add someone to Find My iPhone without their consent. Respect their decision and don’t try to force them to use the app.
Q: Can I use Find My iPhone to track someone without their knowledge?
A: No, it is illegal to track someone without their consent unless a legal authority requires it. Don’t use the app to spy on someone, always get their consent before adding them.
Q: Can I delete a family member from Find My iPhone?
A: Yes, you can remove a family member from Find My iPhone by going to the Me tab and selecting their name. Tap on Stop Sharing My Location to remove them.
In Conclusion
Adding family member phone to Find My iPhone is a useful feature that can save you time and stress when locating a lost device. By following the steps above, you’ll be able to add your family members and track their phones in no time. Remember to use the app responsibly and respect your family member’s privacy. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask.