Why You Must Turn Off Find My iPhone
Apple’s Find My iPhone feature protects your device with Activation Lock. This prevents anyone from using or resetting the phone without your Apple ID and password. If you're planning to sell or give away your iPhone, it’s crucial to disable this feature beforehand.
Steps to Turn Off Find My iPhone from the Device
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your name at the top to access Apple ID settings.
- Select Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Toggle off Find My iPhone.
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm.
Once disabled, Activation Lock will also be removed from the device.
How to Turn It Off Remotely via iCloud
If you no longer have the device with you, follow these steps:
- Go to iCloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click All Devices and choose the iPhone.
- Select Erase iPhone. Confirm the action.
- After it’s erased, click Remove from Account.
This will also disable Activation Lock, making the device safe to sell.
How to Confirm It’s Off
Before selling, reset your device and check that the new user isn’t prompted for your Apple ID. This ensures Find My iPhone was successfully turned off.
Common Questions
Can I sell an iPhone without turning off Find My?
No. The new owner will be locked out unless you remove your Apple ID and disable the feature. It may even be rejected by resale stores.
Is Find My iPhone the same as iCloud Lock?
Yes. Find My iPhone activates iCloud Lock. Disabling it removes the lock and links to your account.
Do I need to sign out of iCloud too?
Yes, always sign out of iCloud completely after turning off Find My iPhone. This removes the device from your account.
Next Steps
Now that Find My iPhone is off, you can safely reset your iPhone to factory settings and sell or give it away without any issues.