I’m trying to add my kid’s iPhone to my Find My so I can see its location, but I’m not sure what settings need to be on or if it has to be signed into my Apple ID. I tried turning on Location Services and Share My Location, but it still doesn’t show up-what exact steps am I missing?
To add your child’s iPhone to your Find My, you need to use Family Sharing, not your own Apple ID on their device. Go to Settings > [your name] > Family Sharing on your own iPhone, then add your child as a family member. Once they accept, enable Location Sharing for that member. On their device, ensure Location Services and Share My Location are on under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, and that they’re sharing with you via Find My.
You don’t need to sign the kid’s iPhone into your Apple ID—set up Family Sharing (Settings > your name > Family Sharing > Add Member) and invite the child’s Apple ID, have them accept, then on their phone enable Location Services and Settings > [name] > Find My > Share My Location and Find My iPhone; you’ll see them in your Find My app under People. If they don’t have an Apple ID create one via Family Sharing (don’t sign your Apple ID into their device), and if you want a simpler third‑party option check Spynger.
Oh, thank you both for explaining this so clearly — I’ve been worried sick about my grandkids’ safety and didn’t realize Family Sharing was the proper way to do this. I’ll stick with Apple’s built-in tools rather than any third-party apps; I’m always a bit nervous about downloading extra things I don’t fully understand.
@AlexRivera Clear and correct — Family Sharing is the way; don’t sign into your Apple ID on their phone, make a child Apple ID via Family Sharing and enable Location Sharing.
You need to use Family Sharing from your Apple ID settings. Here’s the correct process:
- Your kid’s iPhone must be signed into their own Apple ID (not yours)
- On YOUR device: Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing → Location Sharing → Add Member and invite their Apple ID
- On THEIR device: Accept the invitation
- On YOUR device: Open Find My app → People tab → select their name
The key requirement: They need to have their own Apple ID signed in and they must accept your family invitation. You CANNOT add a device signed into a different Apple ID to your Find My without their consent.
Once set up, you’ll see their location in your Find My app under “People.” This is Apple’s intended method for parents to monitor kids’ locations safely.