Find My is an Apple security feature that helps protect your iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. It allows you to locate your phone, secure personal photos and data, and even remotely erase your iPhone if you cannot recover it. However, there are times when you may need to turn off the “Find My iPhone” feature.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to disable Find My directly on your device, from a computer, via iCloud, or using another Apple device. We’ll also explain why you might not be able to switch it off and why it is usually best to keep it enabled.
Why might you want to turn off “Find My iPhone”?
Apple designed Find My to help protect your iOS devices, so disabling it should only be done in specific situations:
- Selling or trading in your device. If you plan to sell or give away your iPhone, you must turn off Find My. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate it due to Activation Lock, as your Apple ID will still be linked to the device.
- Sending your phone for repair. Some Apple Support centres or third-party repair shops may ask you to disable Find My before handing over your device. This helps confirm ownership and allows technicians to run diagnostics if needed.
- Switching Apple accounts. If you are moving to a new Apple ID, you will need to disable the feature. Otherwise, your previous account will remain linked to the device.
- Upgrading to a new iPhone. If your old iPhone is no longer in use, you may want to remove it from Find My to keep your device list organised.
- Troubleshooting issues. Temporarily disabling Find My can help if the feature is not working properly or your device is not appearing.
Important: Find My is a key part of iPhone security and should generally remain enabled. If your device is lost or stolen while it is turned off, you will not be able to track or lock it remotely.
If you are concerned about privacy, disabling it will not prevent others from tracking your phone. It only removes your ability to protect your own device. No one can access your location through Find My without your account details.
How to turn off Find My on an iPhone
If you have your iPhone with you, the quickest way to disable Find My is through Settings:
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Toggle Find My iPhone off.
- Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
Once completed, the device will be removed from your account and the Activation Lock will be lifted. If you are preparing to sell your phone, you should also erase all content to remove personal data.
How to turn off Find My from another device
If you do not have access to your iPhone, you can disable Find My remotely.
Using another Apple device
If you have another Apple device signed in with the same Apple ID:
- Open the Find My app.
- Select the Devices tab.
- Choose your iPhone from the list.
- Scroll down and tap Remove.
You can also select Erase iPhone if you need to wipe the device before selling or giving it away.
If you use Family Sharing, a family member can also help manage your device through their Find My app.
Using a computer (iCloud)
If you only have access to a computer:
- Go to icloud.com and sign in.
- Open Find My and verify your identity.
- Select All Devices and choose your iPhone.
- Click Remove.
Why can’t I turn off Find My on my iPhone?
You may be unable to disable Find My for several reasons:
- Incorrect or forgotten password. You must enter your Apple ID password to turn off the feature.
- Security delay. In some cases, Apple may require a waiting period before allowing changes.
- Device is offline. If your iPhone is switched off or not connected, it may show a “No location found” message and prevent removal.
- Stolen Device Protection. If enabled, this must be turned off first, otherwise the option may be greyed out.
- No internet connection. A working Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is required.
If you are still unable to resolve the issue, contact Apple Support. They can help verify ownership and guide you through removing the device from your account.
