If you ever misplace a laptop or phone, Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all have a free, built-in way to find it: Find My Device on Windows, Find My on Mac and iPhone, and Find My Device on Android. Each one can show you the device’s last known location on a map, lock it remotely, or erase it as a last resort. The catch is that every one of these only works if it’s already turned on before the device goes missing; none of them can reach back in time and start reporting a location after the fact. So this guide walks through turning each one on today, on every device you own, before you ever actually need it.
How to find a lost laptop or phone, step by step
!Lost your laptop or phone?
Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all have a free, built-in way to find it.
1Windows 11: turn on Find my device
Settings → Privacy & security → Find my device. Turn on the toggle.
2Mac: turn on Find My Mac
Click your name, then iCloud, then turn on Find My Mac.
Phones too
- iPhone: Settings, your name, Find My — Enable Find My iPhone, plus the Find My network for offline finding
- Android: Settings, Security, Find My Device — Some phones list it under Security, then Location instead
- Erasing stops tracking — Once a device is erased remotely, you can’t locate it anymore; try locating or locking first
Recap: find a lost laptop or phone
- Windows 11: Settings, Privacy & security, Find my device
- Mac: System Settings, your name, iCloud, Find My Mac
- iPhone: Settings, your name, Find My
- Android: Settings, Security, Find My Device
Printable quick guide
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on Find My Device on Windows 11?
Open Settings, then Privacy & security, then Find my device, and turn on the toggle. You’ll need a Microsoft account signed in and Location turned on; find the device later at account.microsoft.com/devices.
How do I turn on Find My Mac?
Open System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, then iCloud, then turn on Find My Mac. This also lets you lock or erase the Mac, and enables the Find My network for offline finding.
How do I turn on Find My on my iPhone?
Open Settings, tap your name, then Find My, then turn on Find My iPhone (and the Find My network, for offline finding).
How do I turn on Find My Device on Android?
Open Settings, then Security (on some phones, Security & location), then Find My Device, and turn it on. You can also check it at android.com/find.
What happens if I erase a lost device?
Once a device is erased remotely, it can no longer be located, since the feature that reports its location is erased along with everything else. Try to locate it on a map, or lock it, first; only choose erase as a last resort, once you’ve accepted the device itself is probably gone for good.
Related guides
- Safely Wipe and Recycle an Old Computer or Phone
- Set Up Windows Hello and Touch ID Sign-In
- Update an iPhone or Android Phone
Source: Find or lock a lost Windows device (Microsoft Support)