Apple iCloud Remove Device From Find Devices User Guide
- September 25, 2024
- Apple
Table of Contents
Apple iCloud Remove Device From Find Devices User Guide
Introduction
iCloud is the service from Apple that securely stores your photos, files, notes, passwords, and other data in the cloud and keeps it up to date across all your devices, automatically. iCloud also makes it easy to share photos, files, notes, and more with friends and family. You can also back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iCloud. iCloud includes a free email account and 5 GB of free storage for your data. For more storage and additional features, you can subscribe to iCloud+.
Use Find Devices on iCloud.com
With Find Devices on iCloud.com, you can keep track of your Apple devices and
find them when they’re lost.
Learn how to do any of the following on iCloud.com on a computer:
- Sign in to Find Devices
- Locate a device
- Play a sound on a device
- Use Lost Mode
- Erase a device
- Remove a device
To use Find My on other devices, see Use Find My to locate people, devices, and items.
Note
If you don’t see Find Devices on iCloud.com, your account is limited to iCloud
web-only features.
Remove a device from Find Devices on iCloud.com
You can use Find Devices on iCloud.com to remove a
device from the Devices list and remove the Activation Lock. When you remove
Activation Lock, someone else can activate the device and connect it to their
Apple ID. To sign in to Find Devices, go to
icloud.com/find.
Tip: If you set up two-factor authentication but you don’t have your
trusted device, you can still use Find Devices. Just click the Find Devices
button after you enter your Apple ID (or another email address or phone number
on file).
Remove a device from the Devices list
If you don’t want a device to appear in Find My, or if you need to set up a
service, you can remove it from your Devices list.
Note: You may need to turn off the device, or put AirPods in their case.
- In Find Devices on iCloud.com, select the device in the All Devices list on the left. If you’ve already selected a device, you can click All Devices to return to the list and select a new device.
- Click Remove This Device.
Activation Lock is removed immediately, and the device is removed from Find My
after 30 days.
Note: If your device comes online after 30 days have passed, it reappears
in your Devices list and Activation Lock is reenabled if you’re still signed
in to your iCloud account on the device (for an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac,
or Apple Watch) or if it’s paired with your iPhone or iPad (for AirPods or a
Beats product).
Note: You can also remove your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac by signing out of iCloud on that device.
Remove Activation Lock on a device
If you forgot to turn off Find My before you sold or gave away your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch, you can remove the Activation Lock using Find Devices on iCloud.com. If you still have the device, see the Apple Support article Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad, Activation Lock for Mac, or About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch.
- In Find Devices on iCloud.com, select the device in the All Devices list on the left. If you’ve already selected a device, you can click All Devices to return to the list and select a new device.
- Erase the device. Because the device isn’t lost, don’t enter a phone number or message. If the device is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it’s online. You receive an email when the device is erased.
- When the device is erased, click Remove This Device. Activation Lock is removed immediately, and your device is also immediately removed from Find My. All your content is erased, and someone else can now activate the device.
You can also use Find My on any device that’s signed in with the same Apple ID. See Use Find My to locate people, devices, and items.
FAQs
What happens when I remove a device from Find My Device?
Removing a device from Find My disables the ability to track it and stops remote features like locking and erasing the device.
Can I remove a device from Find My without having access to it?
Yes, you can remove a device from Find My using iCloud.com or another Apple device linked to the same iCloud account.
Is it safe to remove my device from Find My if I’m selling it?
Yes, it’s important to remove your device before selling or giving it away to prevent others from accessing your data or location.
Will removing a device from Find My affect iCloud backups?
No, removing the device from Find My does not impact iCloud backups, but it will no longer appear in Find My.
How do I remove a device from Find My using iCloud.com?
Can I re-add a device to Find My after removing it?
Yes, you can re-enable Find My by signing back into iCloud on the device and turning on Find My in the settings.
What if the device is offline—can I still remove it?
Yes, even if the device is offline, you can remove it from your Find My account, though it will not be erased remotely.
Will removing a device from Find My affect Activation Lock?
Yes, removing a device from Find My also disables Activation Lock, which protects the device from unauthorized access.
Can I remove a device from Find My if it’s lost or stolen?
It is not recommended to remove a lost or stolen device as it would prevent you from tracking or remotely locking it.
Do I need my Apple ID password to remove a device from Find My?
Yes, you will need your Apple ID and password to confirm the removal of the device from your account.