How do I track a lost iPhone that’s turned off?

I have unlimited data so in the event my phone was stolen I wouldn’t need to be connected to WiFi right?

That's correct, as long as the phone could connect to the cellular network signal and the battery was in good shape.

if the stolen phone doesn’t have a data plan and WiFi was turned off in settings it wouldn’t appear bc it can’t connect to WiFi if it is isn’t enabled.

Normally, yes. But, I think you are forgetting that the phone also sends out a very brief intermittent Bluetooth signal if cellular and Wi-Fi are not available, so if there were another iPhone in close proximity to the stolen phone, the location information about the phone would still be sent to the Internet and you could see the phone's location in Find My.

Tap Settings > General > Shut Down on your phone. Do you see the message under the slider that says iPhone Findable after Power Off? That's what Bluetooth is all about.

But.....and this is a big BUT.....All the location information about the stolen phone goes out the window if the iPhone thief does what other iPhone thieves do and wraps the phone in aluminum foil or places the phone in a special type of bag.....called a Faraday bag......because then the phone cannot either send or receive a signal at all.....no matter how good the battery might be or how strong the cellular or Wi-Fi signal might be.

Any iPhone thief knows this of course. That is why it is almost impossible to ever find a stolen phone.

Did you have Find My enabled on the phone......before......it was lost?

How do you know the phone is "Off"? Was the phone "Off" before you lost the phone?

What message appears when you use a browser and log on to www.icloud.com and enter your Apple ID and Password?

khalidasiri14 wrote:

i lost my phone and it is off now can i find it

Find your lost iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If you have Find My enabled it will appear once the phone has charge

That brings up an interesting point. I have unlimited data so in the event my phone was stolen I wouldn’t need to be connected to WiFi right?

on the same note if the stolen phone doesn’t have a data plan and WiFi was turned off in settings it wouldn’t appear bc it can’t connect to WiFi if it is isn’t enabled.

If you have Find My enabled it will appear once the phone has charge

Not necessarily. The phone will not appear unless it also has a good Internet connection.