Find My includes Activation Lock – a feature that’s designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone or iPad if it’s ever lost or stolen. Activation Lock is turned on automatically when you set up Find My on your device.
Activation Lock helps you keep your device secure, even if it falls into the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recov
ering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone else from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My turned on.
With watchOS 2 and later, you can use Activation Lock to protect your Apple Watch.
With macOS Catalina or later and Mac computers that have the Apple T2 Security Chip or Apple silicon, you can use Activation Lock to protect your Mac.
Here's how it works Each time an iPhone or iPad is activated or recovered, the device will contact Apple to check whether Activation Lock is turned on. Activation Lock will be turned on automatically when you set up Find My.* After it's been turned on, Apple will store your Apple ID securely on its activation servers and link it to your device. Your Apple ID password or device passcode will be required before anyone can turn off Find My, erase your device or reactivate and use your device. * Find out how Activation Lock works for devices enrolled in Mobile Device Management