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If you have lost your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (or had it stolen), there’s good news. You can use Find My iPhone to locate your missing Apple products. This how-to article covers setting up the service, as well as locating a missing iPhone.
How to Setup Find My iPhone
Follow these steps to set up Find My iPhone. These instructions also work with the iPad or iPod Touch.
Upgrade to iOS 7
iOS 7 introduces new features, making it harder for thieves to steal your iPhone. If your iPhone is stolen, it can be locked or wiped remotely. If a thief tries to reset the device, it cannot be activated without your Apple ID.
This is one of the best reasons to upgrade to iOS 7. Some people are worried that iOS 7 is not stable. I have been using the new OS since it was released. It has some minor issues, but overall it’s quite stable and usable. I actually like it! Apple has released a few patches that fix most of the high priority bugs. It’s worth upgrading your iPhone, just for the anti-theft features alone. Follow these instructions to upgrade your iPhone. This upgrade process will prevent loss of personal data.
Setup iCloud
Once you upgrade to iOS 7, you will be instructed to turn on iCloud. If you skipped this step, it can be completed now. Go to Settings > iCloud. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. If you don’t have one, tap Get a Free Apple ID and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you have activated iCloud, go to Settings > iCloud and turn on Find My iPhone.
Turn on Location Services
Location Services are on by default. If you have disabled Location Services out of privacy concerns, this may make it more difficult to find your iPhone. It is possible to use Find My iPhone to turn on location services remotely, using Lost Mode. If your device is lost and runs out of power or is turned off, you’re out of luck. Find My iPhone won’t even be able to provide your iPhone’s last location.
You can turn on Location Services and turn off individual items, leaving only Find My iPhone enabled. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Service to enable Find My iPhone. Enabling this setting will provide your iPhone’s last location, even if it has been turned off.
That’s it! You will now be able to locate your iPhone anywhere in the world. It’s also handy if you misplace it in your home. Now let’s take a look at how to find your lost iPhone. (continue…)