To ping an iPhone from another iPhone, use the Play Sound feature in the Find My app. This works when both devices share the same Apple ID or are in a Family Sharing group, and Find My was enabled on the lost iPhone beforehand.
Before you begin
Two critical prerequisites must be met before you can ping an iPhone from another iPhone. First, both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID, or the lost iPhone must belong to a family member within a Family Sharing group. Second, the Find My feature must have been enabled on the iPhone you wish to ping before it was misplaced. Without this setup, the Play Sound option will not be available.
Step-by-step: ping the iPhone with Find My
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the name of the lost iPhone from the list of devices.
- Tap Play Sound (or Play) from the available options.
The sound will start after a short delay, gradually increase in volume, and play for approximately two minutes. The sound will play even if the lost iPhone is in Silent mode or has its volume muted. The 'Play Sound' feature is available for various Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and supported Beats headphones.
What to expect after you tap play sound
A Find My alert will appear on the screen of the iPhone playing the sound. An email confirmation is sent to your Apple Account email address after the sound plays. To stop the sound before it finishes, you can press the power button or a volume button, flip the Ring/Silent switch, unlock the device, or tap OK in the Find My alert on the device itself. If the iPhone is offline, you will see Sound Pending, and the sound will play the next time the device connects to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. While the 'Find My' network can help locate a device even when it's offline, playing a sound still requires the device to be online.
Alternative: ping from any web browser
If you do not have another iPhone handy, you can initiate the Play Sound feature by signing into Find Devices on iCloud.com from any web browser. This method provides the same functionality, including the ability to ping an iPhone from another iPhone without needing a second Apple device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ping an iPhone that is turned off?
No. The device must be powered on and connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network to receive the ping. If the iPhone is offline, the sound will play automatically the next time it connects to a network.
Can I ping an iPhone not on my Apple ID?
No. The Play Sound feature requires both devices to be signed in with the same Apple ID or for the lost iPhone to belong to a family member in a Family Sharing group. For scenarios involving tracking a phone location, Phone Location Tracking Methods like third-party apps or carrier services may be necessary, but they are not part of Apple's Find My system.
What if the sound doesn't play?
If the sound does not play, the lost iPhone is likely offline or Find My was not enabled on it before it was misplaced. Check that the device appears in your Devices list and that it shows a status other than Offline. If it is offline, the sound will play once it reconnects.
Can I remotely ping an iPhone?
Yes, you can remotely ping an iPhone using iCloud. If you have enabled the Find My iPhone feature in the iCloud settings, you can use the Find My app from any device or the iCloud website to remotely ping your iPhone.
