How to Turn Off Find My iPhone
If you’re like us, Find My iPhone has probably saved you one too many times. Although it’s easily one of the most notable iPhone features, there are several instances where you may decide it’s time to stop sharing your location. The most common reason people choose to turn off Find My iPhone is they’re selling their device. Whether that’s your case or you have another reason to disconnect, CPR Cell Phone Repair has some step-by-step instructions for removing your iOS device.
How to Disable Find My iPhone
The iOS 13 release slightly altered how Apple users can make the switch, but you’ll find the process to be surprisingly easy no matter which operating system your device runs on.
Stop Find My iPhone on iOS 13 and Later OSs
Get started by opening up your Settings menu. From there, follow the instructions below.
1. Click into your Apple ID by selecting your name at the top of the screen.
2. Tap Find My.
3. Toggle off the Find My iPhone button. You can also disable the Find My network button, which is an added step to help those who have lost their devices, or Send Last Location, which pings Apple of a user’s location when their battery is critically low.
4. Log in to your Apple ID and select Turn Off.
Stop Find My iPhone on iOS 12 and Earlier OSs
Earlier operating systems have fewer steps – and available features – when it comes to disconnecting. To remove your iPhone on iOS 12 or an earlier operating system, all you’ll need to do is click into Settings > Your Apple ID > iCloud (Enter your password) > then tap Turn Off when prompted to disable Find My iPhone.
How to Disable Find My on a MacBook
The steps above will work on iPhones, iPads, and even on the iPod Touch. However, the process varies a bit for Mac and other Apple products. First, you’ll want to select the Apple icon and then System Preferences from the dropdown.
For the next steps, you’ll want to determine which operating system you’re running on. If using macOS 15.15 and above, select Apple ID > iCloud > uncheck Find My Mac. Then, you’ll be prompted to log in to your Apple ID. For macOS 10.14 and below, you can start directly at the iCloud step.
What about my Apple Watch?
You can also disconnect an Apple Watch if you’ve paired it with your iPhone or other iOS device. First, you’ll want to make sure you fully turn off your watch. Then, you can go into your Apple Watch app on a second iOS device, select My Watch, and then select the Apple Watch you are working with. From there, you’ll click the little blue “i” icon, and then you’ll have the option to Unpair Apple Watch. To ensure you’re disconnected, you’ll want to visit iCloud.com and choose your Apple Watch from the All Devices list and then remove the device from your account.
If you’re planning to sell your Apple device, it’s important to disconnect any location-sharing features and wipe it free of any sensitive data. Rely on CPR Cell Phone Repair to erase data, so your information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. We can also help you get rid of old devices through our Buy, Sell, Trade, or recycling programs! Get in touch with your local CPR store to find the right solutions for you.
