How to Turn Off Find My on Your Apple Devices (Without Getting Stuck)

Quick Answer: To turn off Find My on your Apple device, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My, then tap Find My [Device] and toggle it off. You’ll need to enter your Apple ID password to confirm. This disables Activation Lock, which is crucial if you’re planning to sell, trade in, or give away your device. Don’t forget—Find My must be turned off before erasing your device, or the next person won’t be able to set it up. If your phone is broken or you no longer have it, you can turn off Find My remotely using iCloud.com.

Let’s be real: Apple’s “Find My” feature is a lifesaver—until the day you actually want to turn it off.

Maybe you’re selling your iPhone. Maybe your iPad is going to your little cousin. Or maybe, like me last year, you were just trying to trade in your old MacBook at the Apple Store and ran into that dreaded message: “Find My must be turned off before this device can be erased.”

Sound familiar?

If so, don’t worry. You’re definitely not the only one who’s fumbled through menus, muttering “Where the heck is this setting now?”

This guide is your clear, no-fluff walkthrough to turn off Find My on any Apple device—iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, even AirPods (yep, that’s a thing). I’ll walk you through the steps, explain what actually happens when you switch it off, and sprinkle in a few helpful tips along the way.

Let’s get into it.

What is “Find My,” and why Would you Want to Turn it Off?

“Find My” is Apple’s built-in tracking system that helps you locate your devices (and even friends, if they’ve shared their location). It’s part of your iCloud account, and it runs pretty much invisibly in the background—until you lose your iPhone in a cab at 2 a.m. and it becomes your best friend.

But sometimes, you need it gone. Here’s why:

• You’re selling or giving away your device
• You’re trading in your iPhone or Mac
• You’re sending your device in for repair
• You’ve got a secondhand Apple product, and it’s Activation Locked

In these cases, Find My needs to be turned off because it’s tied to Activation Lock—a security feature that prevents anyone else from using your device. Great for privacy, but a huge roadblock if you’re not aware of it.

Before you Start: A quick Heads-Up

Turning off Find My will require your Apple ID password. No exceptions.

If you don’t remember it (it happens to the best of us), go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your password before you try disabling Find My.

Also, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Without an internet connection, Apple can’t verify your ID, and the process won’t complete.

Okay, ready? Let’s get into the how-to.

📱 How to Turn Off Find My on iPhone or iPad

This is the most common one. And good news—it’s quick.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID banner at the top (you’ll see your name).
3. Tap Find My.
4. Tap Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad).
5. Toggle it off.
6. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.
7. Tap Turn Off.

Boom. Done.

My personal experience with my aunt:

I once helped my aunt try to sell her old iPhone 11, and she couldn’t remember the password. The trade-in clerk wouldn’t accept the phone, and the poor thing had to go home with her. Lesson learned: double-check your credentials before the trip.

💻 How to Turn Off Find My on Mac or iMac

Macs are a little different, but still simple. The newer the macOS version, the more iCloud-locked it is.

Here’s how:

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner.

2. Go to System Settings (Ventura and later) or System Preferences (Monterey and earlier).

3. Click on your Apple ID [Your Name].

3. Select iCloud.
4. Click Find My Mac (Note: If can’t see Find My Mac click “See All” button).

3. Click Turn Off…

3. Enter your Apple ID password and confirm.

Pro Tip:

If you’re erasing your Mac to give it away, turn off Find My before you erase it. Otherwise, you’ll trigger Activation Lock and the next person won’t be able to use it—even if it’s your mom.

Also read: How to Locate a Lost or Stolen Android Phone Using Google Find My Device

⌚ How to Turn Off Find My on Apple Watch

Apple Watches love clinging to your wrist—and your iCloud.

Method 1: From iPhone (Recommended)

1. Open the Watch app.
2. Go to the My Watch tab.
3. Tap All Watches at the top.
4. Tap the info icon (i) next to your watch.
5. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

This will automatically turn off Find My as part of the unpairing process.

You’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password to remove Activation Lock. Once done, your watch is clean.

🎧 What About AirPods?

Yup, Find My works with AirPods too—but it’s a bit more passive.

To remove them from Find My:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Devices tab.
3. Select your AirPods.
4. Scroll down and tap Remove This Device.

Keep in mind: This only works when the AirPods are offline (not connected). Otherwise, the option to remove them won’t show.

👓 Turning Off Find My on Apple Vision Pro

Yep—Apple’s new Vision Pro headset also comes with Find My built in. If you’re planning to hand it off to someone else or send it in for repair, you’ll need to turn that off too.

Here’s how:

1. On your Vision Pro, go to Settings.
2. Tap Apple ID.
3. Tap Find My.
4. Toggle Find My Vision Pro off.
5. Enter your Apple ID password.

It’s basically the same process as iPhone and iPad. The only tricky part is remembering it’s tucked away under your iCloud settings—easy to miss in that massive interface.

How to Turn Off Find My AirTag

AirTags are great for tracking your keys, wallet, or even your pet’s collar—but if you’re giving one away, selling it, or simply retiring it, you’ll need to remove it from your Apple ID first.

Here’s how to turn off Find My for an AirTag:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Items tab at the bottom.
3. Select your AirTag from the list.
4. Swipe up and tap Remove Item.
5. Confirm, and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.

That’s it! This unlinks the AirTag from your account, so someone else can use it. If you skip this step, the new user will see the dreaded “This AirTag is linked to another Apple ID” message—and won’t be able to set it up.

How to Turn Off Find My Apple Pencil Pro

With the Apple Pencil Pro, Apple introduced Find My integration—finally letting users track it down when it goes missing behind couch cushions. But if you’re trading it in or passing it along, you’ll need to disconnect it.

To turn off Find My on Apple Pencil Pro:

1. Go to your Find My app.
2. Tap the Devices tab.
3. Look for Apple Pencil Pro in the list.
4. Tap it, then scroll down and choose Remove This Device.

⚠️ Note: You can only remove it when the Pencil is offline (disconnected). If it’s actively paired and in use, the remove option won’t show.

Once removed, the next person can pair it to their iPad without any lock or location tracking attached to your account.

Turning Off Find My from iCloud.com (Remote Method)

Let’s say you already gave the device away—or it’s not turning on. You can still remove it from your iCloud account.

Here’s how:

1. Go to iCloud.com and log in.
2. Click Find iPhone.
3. Select All Devices at the top.
4. Click the device you want to remove.
5. If it’s online, select Erase [Device] first.
6. Then click Remove from Account.

That’s the nuclear option. But it works like a charm when your device is gone for good.

How to Turn Off Find My iPhone When the Phone is Broken

Let’s say your iPhone won’t even turn on. You’re probably thinking, “Great. Now what?”

Here’s how to remotely turn off Find My on a dead or broken iPhone:

1. On any device, go to iCloud.com.
2. Log in with the same Apple ID.
3. Click Find iPhone.
4. Choose All Devices, then select your broken phone.
5. If it’s offline, you’ll see the option to Remove from Account.
6. Click it. Done.

That’ll disable Activation Lock too—just make sure it’s truly your device before you remove it, or someone else might end up with a ghost iPhone.

Also read: How to Track An iPhone By Number Online Free

Can you Turn Off Find My iPhone Without the Apple ID?

Let’s be honest: you’ve probably Googled this before. And the answer is…

Nope.

Not legally, anyway.

Apple designed Find My to be foolproof. Without the Apple ID password, the feature is locked. There’s no bypass, no magic code, no “hack” that won’t get flagged as suspicious or sketchy.

If you bought a secondhand phone and it’s locked, ask the seller to remove the device from their iCloud via iCloud.com. If they can’t—or won’t—you might be out of luck.

How to Turn Off Find My Location Without Them Knowing

This one’s tricky. Maybe you share location with a partner, parent, or friend… and sometimes you just want a little privacy.

You have two options:

Option 1: Stop Sharing Your Location (They Might Notice)

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
• Tap Share My Location.
• Toggle it off.

⚠️ Heads-up: This will alert the person you’re sharing with that location sharing has stopped.

Option 2: Use Another Apple Device (Sneakier)

If you own multiple devices, you can change the “location source”:

• Go to the other Apple device (like an iPad).
• Open Find My.
• Tap Me.
• Tap Use This [Device] as My Location.

Now your location will show as wherever that other device is. Could be home, could be your bag—it just won’t be you. Sneaky? Maybe. But Apple gave you the option.

📲 How to Turn Off Find My iPhone From Another Device

This one’s super useful if your phone’s out of reach or already sold.

1. Open the Find My app on another Apple device (like your iPad or Mac).
2. Go to the Devices tab.
3. Tap your iPhone.
4. Scroll down and tap Remove This Device.
5. If needed, Erase This Device first, then remove it from your account.

Just remember: your Apple ID password will still be required.

How to Temporarily Turn Off “Find My Friends”

Don’t want someone seeing your location for a bit?

Here’s how to pause it:

1. Open the Find My app.
2. Tap the People tab.
3. Tap the person you want to hide from.
4. Tap Stop Sharing My Location.

Or…

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
• Toggle Share My Location off.

💡 Want something even more subtle? Use Airplane Mode or Location Services > Off. Your device won’t update its location, but this might not work for long-term cover.

How to Turn Off Find My iPhone Without Notifying Anyone

Bad news: If you turn off Find My or stop sharing your location, the other person usually gets notified. There’s no official way around this.

BUT—if you’re just looking to stop your phone from being tracked and don’t want anyone knowing, you could:

• Turn off Share My Location (Settings > Find My)
• Or, as mentioned earlier, use another device as your location

Again, not totally stealthy—but less obvious than a blunt “stopped sharing location” notification.

🛡️ Find My and Stolen Device Protection: How to Turn it Off

Apple recently introduced Stolen Device Protection—and it adds even more security layers, like biometric verification before making certain changes.

To turn this off:

1. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
2. Enter your passcode.
3. Scroll to Stolen Device Protection.
4. Tap Turn Off Protection.

⚠️ Important: You might need Face ID verification again, even if you’re just turning it off. This protects you in case a thief tries to mess with your settings.

How to Turn Off Find My on an Old iPhone (Even if you don’t use it)

Still have that iPhone 8 in a drawer somewhere? If you’re planning to sell, donate, or recycle it, make sure to turn off Find My first—even if you haven’t touched it in a year.

1. Power it on (charge it first if needed).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
4. Toggle Find My iPhone off.
5. Enter your Apple ID password.

Don’t have the device anymore? Use iCloud.com to remove it remotely.

Does “Find My” Turn Off if I Erase the Device?

Short answer: Nope.

A lot of people assume that doing a factory reset removes everything—including “Find My.” But Apple’s smarter than that.

When you erase an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without turning off Find My first, Activation Lock stays on. That means even after the device is wiped, it still asks for the original Apple ID and password before anyone can use it again.

So if you’re selling or giving your device away, always turn off Find My before erasing it.

Trust me, I’ve had friends buy secondhand iPhones only to find they were stuck at the Activation Lock screen. Total dealbreaker.

Does “Find My” Work if the Device is Turned Off?

Surprisingly, yes—sort of.

With the latest iPhones (starting around iOS 15 and up), Apple added something magical: Find My continues to work even when the phone is turned off—thanks to low-power Bluetooth and the Find My network.

What that means is:

• If your iPhone is powered off, battery dead, or even factory reset, it may still broadcast its location to nearby Apple devices.
• This info gets encrypted and sent back to you via iCloud’s Find My app.

However, older devices don’t support this, and you won’t get precise tracking if it’s been off for too long.

Don’t Forget: Always Check Activation Lock Before you Erase or Sell

Before you hit that Erase All Content and Settings button on your iPhone, Mac, or any other Apple gear you’re parting with—make sure Activation Lock is turned off.

That means:

• Go into Settings > [Your Name] > Find My
• Turn off Find My [Device]
• Enter your Apple ID password to confirm

Why? Because if you skip this step, the next person won’t be able to use the device. It’ll still be tied to your iCloud account, locked out by Apple’s security system.

💡 Pro Tip: You can also check if Activation Lock is still on by logging into iCloud.com, selecting the device under “Find iPhone,” and seeing if it’s still listed.

I’ve seen way too many people sell their phone thinking they wiped it clean—only to get a call back from the buyer saying, “Hey, it’s asking for your Apple ID…”

Save yourself (and the next person) the headache. Always double-check before you trade in, sell, donate, or recycle.

Why you Shouldn’t Forget to do this Before Selling

A quick story: I once bought a used MacBook off Craigslist (bold, I know). The seller said Find My was off—but when I turned it on, I got hit with an Activation Lock screen. Couldn’t use it. Couldn’t reset it. Couldn’t even contact the guy again. Money gone.

Don’t be that seller—or that buyer.

If you’re selling or buying any Apple device, check that Find My is turned off before money changes hands. It’ll save you a lot of frustration (and possibly a chargeback).

Is it Possible to Unlock iCloud Lock on a Lost or Stolen Device?

Let’s be blunt here—no, not legally or legitimately.

If a device is marked as lost or stolen and has iCloud Activation Lock enabled, there’s no official way to unlock it without the original owner’s Apple ID and password.

Apple’s security is tight for a reason. This lock exists to:

• Deter theft
• Protect user data
• Prevent unauthorized resale

You might see third-party services online claiming they can “bypass iCloud.” But be careful—most of them are scams, illegal, or simply don’t work. Even if they could unlock the device, using stolen property or bypassing Apple security is a huge risk—legally and financially.

If you’ve bought a locked device unknowingly, your best bet is to:

• Contact the seller and request they remove the device from their iCloud
• Or return it if that’s an option

If you’re the original owner and locked yourself out, contact Apple Support and be ready to show a receipt or proof of purchase.

Can I Erase a Lost or Stolen Device?

Yes, and in fact—you should.

If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device is lost or stolen, you can remotely erase it using iCloud.com or the Find My app on another Apple device.

Here’s how:

1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in.
2. Click Find iPhone.
3. Select your device from All Devices.
4. Choose Erase [Device].

This will delete your data remotely. Super helpful if you’re worried about personal information falling into the wrong hands.

Important to know:
Even after erasing, the device will still be locked by Activation Lock. So no one else can use it without your Apple ID—even if they try to reset it or jailbreak it.

Basically, it becomes a shiny brick until you reclaim it.

FAQs – Because Everyone Asks

Q: Can I turn off Find My without the Apple ID password?
A: Nope. Not unless you have a court order or a time machine.

Q: Will turning off Find My disable location tracking?
A: Yes. If Find My is off, your device won’t show up in the Find My network.

Q: Is Find My the same as Activation Lock?
A: Kind of. Turning off Find My disables Activation Lock too. They’re tightly linked.

Q: Can someone else turn off Find My on my device?
A: Not without your Apple ID password. That’s the beauty of it.

Q: Can I just reset my phone to remove Find My?
A: Nope. A reset won’t remove Activation Lock. You have to manually turn off Find My first.

Q: Will someone get a notification if I stop sharing my location?
A: Yes, if you stop sharing through the Find My app. If you use another device as your location or turn off location services, they might not get alerted.

Q: What happens if I lose my iPhone and Find My was off?
A: Unfortunately, you won’t be able to locate it via iCloud. That’s why it’s best to keep Find My on unless you’re getting rid of the phone.

Q: Can I turn off Find My for just one device if I have multiple?
A: Yes. Find My is device-specific. You can turn it off on your iPad while keeping it on for your iPhone and Mac.

Q: Is Find My available for all Apple devices?
A: Most of them, yes—including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Vision Pro, and even AirTags.

Q: Will the person I stop sharing location with still see my last known spot?
A: Yes, until you stop sharing. After that, they’ll only see your location history if you re-enable sharing again.

Q: Is it safe to leave Find My turned on?
A: Totally. In fact, it’s one of the best safety nets Apple has built. It protects your device from being reused if lost or stolen.

Q: Can Apple turn off Find My for me if I can prove ownership?
A: Only in very rare cases—and usually with a receipt or proof of purchase. You’ll need to contact Apple Support directly.

Q: If someone steals my iPhone and resets it, will I still be able to track it?
A: If Find My was turned on—and your phone supports offline tracking—then yes. You’ll still see it on the map (even after a reset, briefly).

Final Thoughts: you’re in Control

Find My is awesome when you need it—but it shouldn’t be a hurdle when you’re ready to move on from a device. Whether you’re upgrading to the latest iPhone or passing down a MacBook to your kid, knowing how to turn off Find My gives you control over your Apple gear.

So now that you know how to do it, you can skip the panic, skip the Genius Bar, and handle it like a pro.

Go ahead—give that old iPhone a proper send-off.