FindMy only finds iPhone when unlocked

Question

HansMuster Author

Level 1

5 points

FindMy only finds iPhone when unlocked

On https://www.icloud.com/find/ my iPhone only shows up when I unlock it!

My settings are as follows

Find my -> Find My iPhone -> Find My iPhone ON

Find my -> Find My iPhone -> Find My network ON

Find my -> Find My iPhone -> Send Last Location ON

Privacy & Security -> Location Services -> Find My -> While Using the App (highest possible privilege)

Privacy & Security -> Location Services -> Find My -> Precise Location ON

What is not working

It is not showing on https://www.icloud.com/find/ when it is locked.

It is also not showing the last position.

It basically just shows nothing, so you can not even tell where its last position was!

My iPhone is online, and it has high speed internet.

When I unlock it, it shows up very quickly in the find service.

I do use a VPN. But even if this interferes, it would not explain why it shows up after being unlocked and why there is no last position.

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 28, 2025 10:08 AM

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Answer 1

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

53,582 points

Jul 28, 2025 10:17 AM in response to HansMuster

Yes, I suspect it is the VPN and also confirmed by others as well with similar questions. The test is simple, remove the VPN and I suspect it will be working correctly. You cannot simply turn off the VPN, it actually must be uninstalled. Your last location is on the Find My servers, not stored on your device and the VPN can limit the ability to receive that data as well.

Let us know the results with it removed and we can then investigate further if needed.

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Answer 2

Jul 28, 2025 10:27 AM in response to HansMuster

Re: “… It is also not showing the last position …”

This one deserves a bit of explanation.

Your phone is NOT constantly tracked.

Last Position more accurately means “Where last located using FindMy.”

If no one has recently “located” the phone, nothing will be shown.

One exception is that if the battery reaches “Critical Low” THAT location will be so marked as “last location.” (Your phone effectively “finds itself”)

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