We’ve all been there. You’re about to sell your old iPhone, hand it down to a family member, or send it off for repair, and you get that little mental ping: “Wait, I need to turn off Find My!” It’s a crucial step, but if you’ve never done it before, the menus can feel a bit like a maze.
Don’t worry, it’s actually very simple. This guide will walk you through the whole process, explaining the “why” and “what happens next”.
First, What is “Find My” and Why Do You Need to Turn It Off?
In a nutshell, Find My iPhone (now just part of the broader “Find My” app) is your phone’s built-in tracking and security system. It’s the feature that lets you see your device on a map, play a sound if it’s under the couch or—in a worst-case scenario—remotely lock and erase it.
How to Turn It Off (When You Have the iPhone in Your Hand)
This is the standard and easiest method. Just follow these steps:
— Open the Settings App > It’s the little grey gear icon on your home screen.
— Tap Your Name at the Top >This opens your Apple ID, iCloud, Media & Purchases settings.
— Select “Find My” > It should be about three options down in the list.
— Tap “Find My iPhone” > You’re getting close!
— Toggle Off “Find My iPhone” > You’ll see the switch at the top. Slide it to the off position (it will turn from green to grey).
— Enter Your Apple ID Password > This is the final security check. Apple needs to make sure it’s really you authorizing this change. Type in the password for the Apple ID account currently signed in on the device.
In Last:
And that’s it! Find My is now disabled. You’ll notice that the “Find My” network and “Send Last Location” features will also be automatically turned off.
FAQs
You can use any web browser on another smartphone, tablet, or computer. Simply go to icloud.com/find, log in with your Apple ID, select your iPhone from the “All Devices” list, and click “Remove from Account.” This will remotely disable Find My.
The process is the same as using another device. Visit icloud.com/find on your computer’s web browser, sign in to your Apple ID, choose your device, and select “Remove from Account.” You will need to enter your Apple ID password to confirm.
