iCloud User Guide
- Welcome
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- Sign in and use iCloud.com
- Customize and use the homepage tiles
- Keynote
- Numbers
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- Recover files and information
- Use iCloud on your Windows device
- Get more help with iCloud
- Legal notices and acknowledgements
- Copyright
Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com
If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com.
What happens when you erase a device in Find Devices?
A confirmation email is sent to your Apple Account email address.
Activation Lock remains on to protect it. Your Apple Account and password are required to reactivate the device.
If you erase a device, you can use Find Devices to locate or play a sound on the device. Otherwise, you won’t be able to locate or play a sound on it. You may still be able to locate your Mac or Apple Watch if it’s near a previously used Wi-Fi network.
Remotely erase your device or a family member’s device
Go to icloud.com/find, then sign in to your Apple Account (if necessary).
Tip: To sign in without entering a two-factor authentication code, click
at the bottom of the window.Select the device below All Devices 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 Erase This Device.
Follow the onscreen instructions.
Tip: If you’re asked to enter a phone number or message, you may want to indicate that the device is lost or how to contact you. The number and message appear on the device’s Lock Screen.
If your device is online, the remote erase begins after you follow the onscreen instructions. If your device is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it’s online.
For more information about trusted devices and verification codes, see the Apple Support article Two-factor authentication for Apple Account.
Cancel an erase
If your device is offline, the remote erase happens the next time it’s online. If you find the device before it’s erased, you can cancel the request.
Go to icloud.com/find, then sign in to your Apple Account (if necessary).
Select the device below All Devices 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 Stop Erase Request, then enter your Apple Account password.
You can also use Find My on any device where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account. See Use Find My to locate people, devices, and items.
If Find My isn’t set up on your missing device, see the Apple Support article If your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen.
Note: If you don’t expect to find your iPhone, iPad (Wi-Fi Cellular models), or Apple Watch (Wi-Fi Cellular models), contact your wireless service provider to suspend service so you aren’t responsible for phone calls or other charges.