To add a device to Find My, sign in to that device with the same Apple Account you use on your iPhone and turn on Find My. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad) and turn it on. On a Mac, go to System Settings > [your name] > iCloud and turn on Find My Mac. Paired AirPods and Apple Watch are added automatically. AirTags and supported third-party items are added from the Find My app under Items.
Below are the steps for every type of device, plus how to see a family member’s devices and what to check if a device doesn’t show up.
How to add your iPhone or iPad to Find My
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad) and turn it on.
- Turn on Find My network so you can find the device even when it’s offline or turned off.
- Turn on Send Last Location so its location is sent to Apple when the battery is almost empty.
Also turn on Location Services in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Find My can’t show a device’s location on the map without it.
How to add a Mac
- Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click your name at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud.
- Click See All or Show More Apps, find Find My Mac, and turn it on.
- Click Options and make sure Find My network is on.
If macOS asks you to allow Find My to use your location, click Allow. On older versions of macOS, use System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud.
How to add AirPods, Apple Watch, and Beats
You don’t need to add these separately. Once they’re paired with an iPhone that has Find My turned on, they appear in the Find My app automatically.
- AirPods and Beats: Pair them with your iPhone. To check, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the More Info button next to your AirPods, and make sure Find My network is on (on supported models).
- Apple Watch: Pair it with your iPhone. It’s added to Find My automatically with the same Apple Account.
How to add an AirTag
- Pull the tab out of the AirTag so it chimes.
- Unlock your iPhone and hold the AirTag close to it.
- Tap Connect when the setup card appears.
- Choose a name, like Keys or Backpack, or tap Custom Name. Tap Continue.
- Tap Continue again to register it to your Apple Account, then tap Done.
If the card doesn’t appear, open the Find My app, tap Items, tap +, and choose Add AirTag. You need Bluetooth, Location Services, and two-factor authentication turned on.
How to add a third-party item
Some bike locks, luggage, wallets, and trackers from other brands work with the Find My network. Look for “Works with Apple Find My” on the box.
- Follow the maker’s instructions to put the item in pairing mode.
- Open Find My, tap Items, then tap +.
- Tap Other Supported Item (or Add Other Item) and follow the prompts.
How to see a family member’s devices
You can’t add another person’s device to your own Find My list directly. Instead, use Family Sharing:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Family and invite them.
- After they join, have them go to Settings > [their name] > Find My and turn on Share My Location.
- Their devices then appear in your Devices list in Find My, below your own.
To share locations with friends who aren’t in your family group, use the People tab in Find My and tap Share My Location.
Device not showing up in Find My?
- Check the Apple Account. The device must be signed in with the same Apple Account as your iPhone. Tap Settings > [your name] on each device to compare.
- Make sure Find My is on for that device, and Location Services is enabled.
- Update the software. Older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS may not show some features, like Find My network.
- Wait a few minutes. A newly added device can take a short time to appear. Pull down to refresh the Devices list.
- Sign out and back in to iCloud on the missing device if it still doesn’t appear.
- Check the region. Find My isn’t available in every country or region.
If an item shows No location found, see what to do when an AirTag is not reachable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add an Android phone to Find My iPhone?
No. Find My only works with Apple devices and approved accessories. Android phones use Google’s Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) instead.
How many devices can I add to Find My?
There’s no practical limit for your own Apple devices. AirTags and other items have a per-account limit that Apple has raised over time. If you hit it, Find My tells you when you try to add a new item.
Can I use Find My without an iPhone?
Yes. Sign in to icloud.com/find from any web browser to see your devices on a map, play a sound, or mark one as lost.
Does adding a device to Find My turn on Activation Lock?
Yes. When Find My is on, Activation Lock is on too. Nobody can erase and set up the device again without your Apple Account password, which helps protect it if it’s stolen.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.