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Guide: Find my iPhone | iOS 9

When you set up your device to use iCloud the Find My iPhone option needs to be turned on first. To check that it’s enabled, open Settings, then iCloud, and check the Find My iPhone section to see if it’s enabled.

Then go to www.icloud.com on a computer, log in, and select Find My iPhone to reveal its location. You’ll be given several options to help find your phone – these are explained below:

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Play a sound

Once the device is located, select it to see the available options. Choose Play Sound and the iPhone will emit an audible alert.

If the device is nearby it’ll be easy to hear and its location can be determined – once found the on-screen alert can be dismissed.

Lost mode

If it isn’t found nearby, enable Lost Mode via www.icloud.com. This allows you to lock the phone and show a phone number on screen to encourage whoever finds the device to call that number.

The website will also show how much battery charge is remaining. The online map also shows any route it may be taking if it was stolen, so it can be tracked down – with the help of the police of course!

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Remotely wipe your data

If the phone contains sensitive data, it can be wiped completely and reset to factory settings.

Select Erase iPhone from the possible options.

You’ll still be able to display a custom message and number to call but will no longer be able to track its location.

If reunited with the phone, you can use a computer or iCloud to restore the data from the last secure backup you made.

Find my iPhone app

The Find My iPhone app on the iPhone can also locate other devices, including iPads, the iPod touch, a Mac, or other iPhones.

To use it on a device, first make sure the Find My… option is enabled within the iCloud configuration under Settings. You’ll also need to be signed in with the same Apple account. On a Mac, turn on the Find My… option under System Preferences, iCloud and sign into the same Apple account.

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