Feeling anxious because you need to find a friend or family member? Learning how to request location on Find My iPhone gives you a quick, secure way to connect. This guide provides 5 simple, stress-free steps to send a request, understand the approval process, and respect privacy. You’ll have the peace of mind you need in just a few minutes, directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, without any complex setup.
At FindMyiPhone.onl, we understand that needing to locate someone often comes with a sense of urgency. Whether you are a parent checking on a child or trying to meet up with a friend in a crowded place, knowing how to request location on Find My effectively is a vital skill in the Apple ecosystem.
5 Easy Steps: How to Request Location on Find My iPhone
Short Answer: To request a location, open the Find My app, tap the People tab, select the contact, and tap “Ask to Follow Location”. Once they approve, their location will appear on your map.
Below is the detailed, step-by-step walkthrough to ensure you get this right the first time.
Step 1: Open the Find My App
The journey begins on your Home Screen. Locate the Find My app icon, which looks like a green circle with a blue radar beam and a green dot in the center.
- Visual Cue: If you cannot find it, swipe down from the center of your screen to open Spotlight Search and type “Find My”.
- Expert Insight: Ensure you are signed in to your Apple ID. The Find My app relies on iCloud to sync data across devices. If you are using a newer device, such as the find my iphone 14/15/16 pro max, the GPS and precision finding features will be even more accurate, but the steps remain the same for older models.
Step 2: Select the ‘People’ Tab at the Bottom
Once the app is open, look at the bottom of the screen. You will see several tabs: People, Devices, Items, and Me.
- Action: Tap on the People tab.
- Context: This section is specifically designed for location sharing between friends and family members. It is distinct from the ‘Devices’ tab, which is used to track your own hardware like a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch.
Step 3: Choose the Person You Want to Locate
In the People tab, you will see a list of contacts you are already sharing with or have shared with in the past.
- If the person is listed: Tap their name.
- If the person is NOT listed: Tap the + (plus) icon or the “Share My Location” button. Then, search for their name in your contacts list.
- Tip: You need their correct contact information (phone number or email associated with their Apple ID). If you are unsure which email they use for iCloud, you might need to check how to find my iphone email address to ensure you are sending the request to the right account.
Step 4: Tap ‘Ask to Follow Location’
This is the critical step where you initiate the find my friends location request.
- The Interface: After selecting their name, a menu card will slide up from the bottom. Scroll down until you see the option Ask to Follow Location.
- Important: If you are not currently sharing your location with them, you might first see a button that says “Share My Location”. Often, Apple requires you to share your location first as a gesture of trust before allowing you to ask for someone’s location on Find My iPhone.
- Action: Tap Ask to Follow Location.
Step 5: Wait for Their Approval and Notification
Once you tap that button, your part is done. The recipient will receive a notification on their device.
- Status: On your screen, under their name, it will likely say “Request Sent” or “Pending”.
- Patience is Key: You cannot track them until they accept. This is a strict privacy feature built into Apple’s design to prevent unauthorized tracking.
What Happens Next? Understanding the Request & Approval Process
Short Answer: The recipient gets a notification asking if they want to share their location with you. They can choose to share for one hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely.
Understanding what happens on the other end can reduce anxiety if you don’t get an immediate response.
What the Other Person Sees: The Incoming Request Notification
When you send location request on Find My, the recipient receives a push notification. It usually appears on their Lock Screen and in their Notification Center, stating: “[Your Name] asked to see your location.”
If they are using their device, a banner will drop down. This ensures that find my location request attempts are transparent and never hidden.
How They Can Approve or Decline Your Request
The recipient has total control. They can tap on the notification, which takes them to the Find My app. There, they are presented with two main choices:
- Don’t Share (Decline): You will not be notified that they declined, but you will simply never see their location.
- Share (Approve): This opens the duration options.
The Three Sharing Options: ‘Share for One Hour’, ‘Share Until End of Day’, ‘Share Indefinitely’
If they choose to accept your find my iphone share location request, they must select a duration:
- Share for One Hour: Great for meeting up for coffee or a quick errand.
- Share Until End of Day: Ideal for day trips or ensuring a family member gets home safely. The sharing stops automatically at midnight.
- Share Indefinitely: This creates a permanent link until one of you decides to stop sharing.
Expert Note: What ‘Share Indefinitely’ Really Means for Privacy and Control
At FindMyiPhone.onl, we recommend “Share Indefinitely” primarily for close family members and trusted partners. This feature allows for real-time location tracking and enables features like arrival/departure notifications. However, it is important to review these settings periodically. If you are setting this up, you might also want to know how to find my iphone name so you can easily identify which device is broadcasting the location, especially if the person has multiple devices (like an iPad and an iPhone).
Before You Start: The Essential Checklist for Requesting a Location
Short Answer: Both parties need an Apple device, an Apple ID, active Internet connection, and Location Services enabled for the request to work.
To avoid the frustration of a find my iphone location request not working, ensure these prerequisites are met.
For Both People: An Apple Device and an Apple ID
Find My is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. You cannot use the native Find My app to request the location of an Android user. Both the requester and the receiver must be signed into iCloud.
For the Person Being Found: Location Services Must Be Turned On
This is the most common hurdle. If the person has turned off their GPS to save battery, you cannot find them.
- Check: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. The toggle must be Green (On).
For the Person Being Found: ‘Share My Location’ Must Be Enabled in Find My
Even if GPS is on, the specific “Share My Location” feature within the Find My settings must be active.
- Check: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Share My Location. Ensure this switch is on. If you are helping a parent set this up, knowing how to keep find my iphone always on can prevent them from accidentally disabling it.
For Both People: A Stable Internet Connection (Wi-Fi or Cellular)
Location data is transmitted via the internet. If the target device is in Airplane Mode or out of data range, the location will not update. However, newer iPhones can use the “Find My network” to send encrypted signals to nearby Apple devices even if offline, though this is more for lost devices than live people tracking.
Troubleshooting Guide: “Find My iPhone Location Request Not Working?”
Short Answer: Issues usually stem from disabled Location Services, restrictions in Screen Time settings, or outdated iOS versions.
If you are wondering, “can you request location on find my iphone if it keeps failing?”, the answer is yes, but you need to fix the underlying bugs.
Common Problem 1: The ‘Ask to Follow Location’ Button is Missing
If you don’t see the option to how to ask for location on find my iphone, it is likely because:
- You are not sharing your location yet: As mentioned, Apple often forces reciprocity. Share your location first, and the button may appear.
- Region/Age Restrictions: In some regions or for Apple IDs with age restrictions (child accounts), location sharing requests may be blocked.
Common Problem 2: The Request Was Sent But You Received No Response
If you sent the how to request location sharing on iphone prompt but see nothing:
- The recipient may have missed the notification.
- They may have declined it.
- They might have “Allow Friend Requests” turned off in their Find My “Me” tab settings.
Common Problem 3: Their Location Shows as ‘No Location Found’ or Is Inaccurate
This often happens when the device has poor signal or battery saver mode is interfering.
- Tip: To understand what you are seeing, it is helpful to learn how to read find my iphone map, which explains the difference between “No Location Found” (technical error) and “Location Not Available” (privacy/off).
Quick-Fix Troubleshooting Table
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Ask to Follow’ is gray | Privacy Settings / Screen Time | Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Share My Location. Set to “Allow”. |
| “Location Not Available” | Device is off or no signal | Wait for them to connect. If it’s a lost device, you might want to know how to set off find my iphone alarm to help locate it audibly if nearby. |
| Old Location Data | Background App Refresh Off | Ensure Find My is allowed to refresh in the background. |
| Request Fails Instantly | Server Error | Check Apple’s System Status page or restart the app. |
One-Time Request vs. Continuous Sharing: Which Should You Use?
Short Answer: Use one-time or limited sharing for temporary meetups. Use continuous sharing via Family Sharing for children and partners.
Deciding how to track someone on find my iphone depends on the relationship and the situation.
Understanding One-Time Location Pings: Best for Specific, Immediate Needs
There isn’t a direct “ping” button like a sonar, but asking for a “Share for One Hour” is the equivalent. This is perfect for:
- Meeting a buyer from an online marketplace.
- Finding friends at a music festival.
- Locating a colleague at a conference.
Understanding Continuous Location Sharing: Best for Trusted Contacts and Family
For parents, how to get someone’s location on find my iphone permanently is usually done through “Share Indefinitely”. This provides peace of mind, knowing you can check their safety without constantly texting “Where are you?”.
How to Proactively Share Your Location (Without a Request)
Sometimes, instead of requesting, it is faster to just share yours. You can learn how to share location on find my iphone proactively, which often prompts the other person to share back automatically.
Expert Tip: Using Family Sharing for Automatic Location Access with Loved Ones
If you set up Family Sharing, you don’t need to constantly send requests. You can enable location sharing during the family setup process. This is the most robust way to ensure find my iphone location sharing is always active for your children.
Privacy, Consent, and Security: Using Find My Responsibly
Short Answer: Find My is built on consent. Never try to track someone without their knowledge. Apple notifies users if they are being tracked.
At FindMyiPhone.onl, we emphasize that technology should serve safety, not surveillance.
The Golden Rule: Find My is Built on Trust and Consent, Not Covert Tracking
You cannot track someone on find my iphone without their permission. Apple’s system is designed to alert users if an unknown AirTag or device is moving with them. Always have a conversation before sending a request.
Risk Warning: The Dangers of Sharing Your Location with Untrusted Contacts
Be careful who you accept requests from. Sharing your precise location can reveal your home address, work schedule, and daily habits. Regularly check your “People” list and remove anyone you no longer trust.
How Apple Protects Your Data with End-to-End Encryption
Apple uses end-to-end encryption for location data. This means only you and the person you are sharing with can see the location. Even Apple cannot see your coordinates.
How to See Who You Are Sharing With and How to Stop Sharing Your Location
Go to the “People” tab. Anyone with “Can see your location” next to their name has access. To stop, swipe left on their name and tap the trash icon or select their profile and tap “Stop Sharing My Location”. For the most current methods, check our guide on apple find my how to share location iphone 2025.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Find My Features and Tips
Short Answer: Find My can do more than just show a dot. You can set arrival alerts, find offline devices, and even use other devices to track.
Once you have mastered how to use find my iphone for requests, explore these powerful features.
How to Set Up Location-Based Notifications (e.g., “Notify Me When They Arrive”)
This is a game-changer for parents. instead of watching the map, you can set an alert.
- Tap the person’s name.
- Tap Notifications > Add.
- Select Notify Me.
- Choose When They Arrive or When They Leave a specific location (like “School” or “Home”).
For a deep dive into this, read how to notify someone on find my iphone.
Using Find My on Your Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch to Request Locations
You aren’t limited to the phone. You can use the Find My app on your Mac or iPad.
- Mac: If you are working on your laptop, knowing how to switch find my iphone to mac can allow you to monitor locations on a bigger screen.
- Apple Watch: The “Find People” app on the watch is excellent for quick checks while walking.
What if Their Device is Offline? Using the ‘Notify When Found’ Feature
If the person’s phone is dead, you will see “Last known location”. You can toggle on “Notify When Found”. As soon as their device connects to the network (even briefly), you will get an alert.
- Lost Device Scenario: If you are trying to find a lost phone rather than a person, you might wonder, can i make my iphone ring to find it? Yes, via the “Play Sound” feature in the Devices tab.
Understanding the Map Symbols: Blue Dots, Profile Pictures, and Location Accuracy Rings
- Blue Dot: Your current location.
- Profile Picture: The current location of your friend.
- Large Blue Circle (Accuracy Ring): The smaller the circle, the more accurate location data you have. A large circle means the location is approximate (GPS triangulation is weak).
Alternative Finding Methods
Sometimes, the Find My app isn’t the only way.
- Sound Alerts: If you are close but can’t see them, you can learn how to alert someone’s phone on find my iphone to make a noise.
- Lost Mode: If a device is truly lost, knowing how to set off alarm on find my iphone is crucial for recovery.
- Voice Assistants: For your own device in your house, you can use shortcuts like clap to find my phone iphone or ask alexa find my phone iphone if you have set up those integrations.
- Finding Objects: Find My is also for cars and items. Check out our guide on find my car iphone to never lose your parking spot again.
And finally, if you ever need to revisit the core steps of this article, simply search for our guide on how to request location on find my iphone to refresh your memory.
In just a few taps, you can securely request location on Find My iPhone, providing reassurance and connection. By following these steps and understanding the importance of privacy and consent, you can use this powerful tool to keep in touch with loved ones. Remember that communication is key; always respect the other person’s decision to share or not share their location. Find My is designed for peace of mind, not surveillance.
Found this guide helpful? Share it with a friend or family member who might need it! Explore our other articles to become an expert on your Apple devices.
Note: The information in this article is for reference only. For the best advice, please contact us directly for a specific consultation based on your actual needs.
