Find My iPhone is a feature that comes with Apple’s iCloud service. It allows users to locate and remotely manage their Apple devices in case they get lost or stolen. However, in order to use Find My iPhone, you need to first add your device to your iCloud account. This process is not very complicated, but it can be confusing for first-time users. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps of adding a device on Find My iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding a Device on Find My iPhone
The main challenge of adding a device on Find My iPhone is that the process can vary depending on the type of device and the version of iOS or iPadOS you are using. Additionally, some users may run into issues such as forgotten Apple ID passwords or activation lock. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the instructions and troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
Things You Need to Prepare
Before you start adding your device on Find My iPhone, make sure that you have the following things ready:
1. A device that you want to add on Find My iPhone
2. An active iCloud account with Find My iPhone enabled
3. The latest version of iOS or iPadOS installed on your device
4. Access to a trusted device or phone number associated with your Apple ID
Method 1: Adding a Device on Find My iPhone via iCloud.com
If you want to add a device on Find My iPhone via iCloud.com, follow the steps below:
1. Open a web browser and go to icloud.com/find
2. Sign in using your Apple ID and password
3. Click on the "Find iPhone" icon
4. Select the device you want to add from the list of devices
5. Click on the "i" icon next to the device name
6. In the device information screen, click on "Remove from Account"
7. Confirm that you want to remove the device from your account
8. Click on the "Add" button at the top of the screen
9. Select "Add Device"
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to add your device
11. Once your device is added, it will appear in the list of devices on iCloud.com
Method 2: Adding a Device on Find My iPhone via Settings
If you want to add a device on Find My iPhone via Settings, follow the steps below:
1. Open the "Settings" app on your device
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen
3. Tap on "Find My"
4. Tap on "Find My iPhone"
5. Toggle on the "Find My iPhone" switch
6. Toggle on the "Send Last Location" switch if you want your device to send its location to Apple when the battery is critically low
7. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted
8. Your device is now added on Find My iPhone
Method 3: Adding a Device on Find My iPhone via Family Sharing
If you are a part of a family sharing group, you can add a family member’s device on Find My iPhone by following these steps:
1. Open the "Settings" app on your device
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen
3. Tap on "Family Sharing"
4. Tap on the family member whose device you want to add on Find My iPhone
5. Tap on "Find My"
6. Toggle on the "Share My Location" switch
7. Your family member’s device is now added on Find My iPhone
Why Can’t I Add My Device on Find My iPhone?
There are several reasons why you might run into problems when trying to add your device on Find My iPhone. Here are some of the most common issues and their fixes:
1. "Activation Lock" is turned on: Activation Lock is a feature that prevents anyone from using your device if it is lost or stolen. If you have bought a used device or forgotten the Apple ID and password associated with the device, you won’t be able to add it on Find My iPhone. In this case, you need to contact the previous owner or Apple support to remove the Activation Lock.
2. Your device is not compatible: Find My iPhone is only available on devices running iOS 5 or later. If you are using an older device, you won’t be able to add it on Find My iPhone.
3. You are not signed in to iCloud: In order to use Find My iPhone, you need to sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID and password. If you are not signed in, you won’t be able to add your device on Find My iPhone. Make sure that you are signed in by going to "Settings" > "Your Name" > "iCloud".
4. You don’t have a trusted device or phone number: When you try to add a device on Find My iPhone, you may be asked to enter a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number associated with your Apple ID. If you don’t have access to any trusted device or phone number, you won’t be able to add your device on Find My iPhone. In this case, you need to contact Apple support for assistance.
FAQs
Q: How many devices can I add on Find My iPhone?
A: You can add an unlimited number of Apple devices on Find My iPhone as long as they are signed in to the same Apple ID.
Q: How do I remove a device from Find My iPhone?
A: To remove a device from Find My iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Your Name" > "iCloud" > "Find My" > "Find My iPhone" and toggle off the switch next to the device you want to remove.
Q: What should I do if I forgot my Apple ID password?
A: If you forgot your Apple ID password, go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
Q: What should I do if I lost my trusted device or phone number?
A: If you lost your trusted device or phone number, go to appleid.apple.com and sign in using your Apple ID and password. Click on "Edit" next to "Trusted Phone Numbers" and follow the on-screen instructions to update your trusted phone numbers.
Q: Can I still use Find My iPhone if my device is offline?
A: If your device is offline, you won’t be able to locate it or send a remote command to it. However, you can still enable "Lost Mode" to lock your device and display a custom message to anyone who finds it. Once your device is back online, the "Lost Mode" will take effect.
Conclusion
Adding a device on Find My iPhone is an important step in protecting your Apple devices from getting lost or stolen. Whether you choose to add your device via iCloud.com, Settings, or Family Sharing, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. By doing so, you can ensure that your devices are always safe and secure.