How Accurate Is Find My iPhone?
Let's get right to the point. Find My iPhone (FMI) is accurate within reason, but not as accurate as Apple claims it to be.
If your iPhone is powered on and FMI is enabled, you can locate your device in almost all cases. The only time you will have trouble finding your iPhone if FMI is on would be:
Your iPhone was Powered Off & it is NOT in its Last Known Location & NOT Connected To WiFi Source.
Your iPhone is in an Area with Very Poor Cell Reception, and it is difficult to get an Exact Location.
If your iPhone is powered off, it will show the last location where it was last seen. Apple has claimed that FMI can track the iPhone even when turned off IF it is near a familiar WiFi signal. We have extensively tested this claim and found it to be mostly true. However, this feature still needs to be fixed. It does not work 100% of the time.
3 Main Factors Of Find My iPhone:
Global Positions System: GPS is a satellite-based navigation system that plays a pivotal role in determining the location of an Apple device. Apple iPhones have GPS receivers communicating with satellites orbiting the Earth, allowing for precise location tracking. While GPS is renowned for its accuracy in open outdoor spaces, its effectiveness can diminish in urban environments with tall buildings or areas with poor satellite visibility.
WiFi Positioning: "Find My iPhone" utilizes WiFi positioning to enhance accuracy. This involves scanning for nearby WiFi networks and determining the device's location based on the known positions of these networks. This is particularly useful in urban areas where GPS signals may be obstructed. The combination of GPS and WiFi positioning ensures a more comprehensive and reliable tracking system.
Cellular Triangulation: Cellular triangulation comes into play in the absence of clear GPS signals or WiFi networks. This method calculates the device's location based on its proximity to nearby cell towers. The system can triangulate the device's position by measuring the time it takes for signals to travel between the device and multiple towers. While more accurate than GPS, cellular triangulation is a valuable backup, especially in densely populated areas.
Privacy Concerns With Find My iPhone
While "Find My iPhone" provides a valuable service, sharing your location has some privacy concerns. Apple states that it is committed to prioritizing user privacy and that location data is end-to-end encrypted. However, we all know that Big Tech Companies aggregate, share, and sell Data. Apple makes many claims that their data is secure, not sold… etc. Some basic research and critical thinking will show that Apple has been on the wrong end of many numerous data breaches, and lawsuits for mishandling User Data.
At the end of the day, we need our iPhones. They will track us regardless of what precautions we try to take. Unfortunately there isn’t really anyway around this, if you want to live in the modern world. It’s better to live “on grid” and figure out how to glitch through the Matrix rather than trying to live off the grid. The sad reality is that privacy, and specifically digital privacy died a long time ago. Enable Find My iPhone lol.
A Story About The Accuracy Of Find My iPhone:
A quick story of mine: my friend & I were on a sightseeing tour in Medellin, Colombia - Communa 13 for those who are familiar. He had too many drinks and left his phone in the bathroom of one of the bars. He realized his mistake about 15 minutes later and immediately used my phone to find his iPhone. It was not where he had left it. Find My iPhone had its location to be in one of the Barrios (a collection of houses) nearby off the main path. It had been turned off… but we had the last known position from FMI. We cautiously approached the house.
Looking back on this, this could have gone a whole lot worse. We knocked, and the guy who opened the door was pretty friendly. He said (in Spanish) the equivalent of "Yeah, I have your phone if you want it back 500,000"… which is about $100 USD. Considering how we wandered a few blocks from the main path and weren't looking for any trouble… My friend paid him, the guy laughed, and gave the phone back. FMI to the Rescue!
Communa 13 - Medellin, CO
FAQ About Find My iPhone
How To Turn On Find My iPhone?
Enabling "Find My iPhone" is a very straightforward process. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Navigate to your Apple ID at the top of the screen; if using an iPad or iPod touch, the option will be labeled "Sign in." Select iCloud:
Within the Apple ID menu, find and tap on "iCloud." This is where you'll manage various iCloud settings, including "Find My iPhone." Scroll down to locate "Find My iPhone" and toggle the switch to the ON position. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to confirm the activation.
For an added layer of security, consider turning on the "Send Last Location" feature. This ensures that your device's last known location is sent to Apple when the battery is critically low, aiding retrieval efforts.
How Do I Find My iPhone from Another iPhone?
Open the Find My App on the Second iPhone and Sign in with the same Apple ID associated with the lost or misplaced iPhone. In the "Find My" app, tap on the "Devices" tab at the bottom of the screen. A list of all your connected Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, will be displayed. Select the iPhone you're trying to find from the list. The app will then initiate the location tracking process and show the current location of your lost iPhone on a map. You can zoom in for more precise details, and the app also provides additional options, such as playing a sound on the device or activating Lost Mode.
Does Find My iPhone Work When The Phone is Dead?
While Find My iPhone typically requires an active internet connection on the lost device, the "Send Last Location" feature ensures that you still have valuable information to aid recovery efforts, even if the phone is dead. When your iPhone is dead and this feature is not on, it can be extremely difficult to locate. Send Last Location is a useful tool for users who want an extra layer of security for their devices. Before your iPhone's battery reaches a critical level, activate the "Send Last Location" feature. This can be done in the Settings app under the iCloud section. Toggle on the "Send Last Location" option.
How Do You Turn Off Find My iPhone?
Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen. Locate and open the "Settings" app, represented by a gear icon. Scroll down and tap on the section at the top of the Settings app that displays your name and Apple ID. This will take you to the Apple ID settings. In the Apple ID settings, find and tap on "iCloud." This is where the "Find My iPhone" feature is managed. You'll see a list of various apps and features within the iCloud settings. Locate "Find My iPhone" and toggle the switch to the OFF position. You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to confirm the action. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to verify that you own the device and can turn off "Find My iPhone.”