Can You Pause Find My iPhone? Here's How!

by Margaret Serenity Updated on 2025-03-13 10:31:53 / Update for Change Location

There are times when you might need to pause Find My iPhone. But can you really do that? Apple does not make it easy to disable tracking. But fear not! We have got clever hacks to help you pause, mask, or even fake your location without raising red flags.

how to pause find my iphone

Part 1. Can You Pause Location on Find My iPhone?

Unlike some GPS apps, Find My iPhone does not offer a built-in “pause” feature to temporarily stop location tracking.

Apple prioritizes security and privacy, making it difficult to manipulate location data without completely disabling the feature. However, there are a few ways to stop sharing your location temporarily.

Pausing means temporarily stopping location updates, while disabling means turning off the feature altogether. Removing your device from iCloud completely disconnects it.

Difference Between Pausing, Disabling, and Removing Find My iPhone

Pausing Location

While you can’t officially pause Find My iPhone, you can stop sharing your location with certain people.

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Find My and set it to “Never” or “Ask Next Time”.
  • You can also go to Find My > Me > Share My Location and toggle it off to stop sharing with family and friends.

Disabling Find My iPhone

To fully disable Find My iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and turn it off.

You’ll need to enter your Apple ID password, as this is a security feature designed to prevent theft.

Removing Find My iPhone

If you no longer want your device linked to Find My iPhone, you can remove it by going to iCloud.com and selecting Find iPhone > Devices > Remove from Account.

This is useful if you’re selling or giving away your device.

Part 2.How Do You Pause Your Location on Find My iPhone?

Now, let’s discuss the different ways to pause Find My iPhone's location. Some methods are easier than others, and each comes with its own advantages and limitations.

Temporarily Turning off Find My iPhone

The most straightforward way to pause Find My iPhone is by disabling the feature entirely from your device settings. To do so, follow these steps.

  • Go to settings on your iPhone.
  • Tap on your Apple ID (your name at the top)
  • Choose Find My.
  • Select Find My iPhone and toggle it off.

This will stop your iPhone from being tracked, but it can easily be turned back on.

how to pause find my iphone

Enabling Airplane Mode to Location Tracking

Another quick and easy way to pause Find My iPhone location tracking is by enabling Airplane Mode. This method disables cellular Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection, effectively halting location tracking. Here is how to do it:

  • Swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center.
  • Tap the airplane mode icon.
  • Keep it enabled for as long as needed.

This method only works while the airplane mode is on. As it disables all wireless connections, you cannot make calls, use mobile data, or connect to the internet until you turn off the airplane mode.

Moreover, some apps might show your last known location.

how to pause find my iphone

Logging Out of iCloud to Disable Find My iPhone

If you want to take it a step further, you can log out of your iCloud account to completely disable Find My iPhone and stop location tracking. Follow these steps

  • Open settings
  • Tap on your Apple ID
  • Scroll down and select Sign Out.
  • Enter your Apple ID password and confirm.

Signing out of iCloud effectively stops Find My iPhone from tracking your device. However, be aware that signing out of iCloud will also affect other iCloud services like Photos, Contacts, and iCloud Drive, so use this method carefully.

how to pause find my iphone

Using a VPN to Mask Your Location

If you are looking to pause Find My iPhone without anyone knowing, using a VPN is a great alternative. VPNs route your internet connection, masking real location. While this does not directly affect the Find My iPhone feature, it can help obscure your location from anyone tracking you online.

If you are trying to freeze location on Find My iPhone for privacy reasons, a VPN can be part of the solution. Here is how to use it

  • Download a trusted VPN app like ExpressVPN, Nord VPN, or Surfshark from the app store.
  • Open the app and connect to a server.
  • Your location will appear in the chosen server’s region.

Remember that a VPN only affects your internet traffic and does not disable Find My iPhone directly. It is more of a workaround to disguise your location for apps that use IP addresses.


Removing the Device From Find My iPhone

If you want to pause Find My iPhone remotely or permanently, especially if you plan to sell or give away your device. You can remove your device via iCloud. Here is how:

  • Go to iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID.
  • Click on Find My iPhone.
  • Select your device from the list.
  • Click Remove from the account to disassociate your iPhone from your Apple ID.

This method is most useful when you no longer want your device linked to your Apple ID. It is usually the last step before you sell your device to someone else.

how to pause find my iphone

Switch Your Location to a New Device

This method lets you pause Find My iPhone location tracking by switching your location tracking to another Apple device. You can still use your iPhone while the new device remains in a fixed location, effectively freezing your location on Find My iPhone.

  • Open the Find My app and tap the Me icon.
  • Select “ Use this device as my location.”
  • Keep the new device in one place to maintain the frozen location.
how to pause find my iphone

Part 3.How Do I Pause Find My iPhone Without Anyone Knowing?

If you are looking for a more discreet method to pause Find My iPhone without anyone knowing, a GPS spoofer can be your best option. One such tool is PoGoskill, a reliable GPS spoofing tool that can fake your location, allowing you to pause Find My iPhone’s tracking without being detected.

Best PoGoskill Features:

  • One-Click Location Switching: It can instantly switch to any location worldwide with a single tap, allowing you to maintain privacy without raising suspicions.
  • Simulated Movement Feature: It lets you simulate realistic movement, making it appear as if you're naturally walking, driving, or biking to different places instead of teleporting.
  • Works Without Jailbreaking: It is fully compatible with iPhones without requiring jailbreak, ensuring a safe and easy-to-use experience.
Free Download
secure download Secure Download
Free Download
secure download Secure Download

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up PoGoSkill for Find My iPhone location spoofing:

  • Step 1Download and install PoGoskill from its official website.

    how to pause find my iphone
  • Step 2 Launch PoGoskill and connect your iPhone via a USB cable.

    how to pause find my iphone
  • Step 3Once connected, choose a new location from the map and set it as your current location.

    how to pause find my iphone

Hot FAQs About Pause Find My iPhone Location

Q1. Can Apple Notify Someone if Find My iPhone Is Turned Off?

Yes, if Find My iPhone is turned off, Apple does not send a direct notification to others. However, there are indirect ways someone could notice:

1. Friends & Family in Find My App

If you are sharing your location with someone via Find My, they may see a “Location Not Available” message instead of your last known location.

This could alert them that your location tracking is turned off.

2. iCloud Tracking Alerts

If your Apple ID is linked to another person’s Family Sharing account, they may receive an alert that your device is no longer trackable.

3. Lost Mode Notifications

If your device is marked as lost in Find My iPhone, Apple may notify the owner that Find My is disabled, as it prevents the device from being located.

Q2. Will Find My iPhone Work if the Device Is Offline?

Yes, Find My iPhone can still work even if the device is offline. Apple's Find My network uses a crowdsourced system of Apple devices to help locate lost devices, even when they are offline or turned off.

This means you can still see the last known location of your iPhone and receive notifications if it is found. However, you won't be able to play a sound or erase the device remotely unless it is turned on and connected to a network.

Conclusion

Learning how to pause Find My iPhone is not as straightforward as you might think. Whether you use Airplane mode, log out of iCloud, or try PoGoskill for GPS spoofing, be sure to fully understand the consequences of pausing this feature. Try it now!

pogoskill location changer PoGoskill

The Best Location Changer

  • Instantly change GPS location on iOS/Android
  • Simulate routes to avoid bans while spoofing
  • Works seamlessly with all location-based apps
  • Compatible with latest iOS 18 & Android 15
  • A free version is available to all users!
Margaret Serenity

100+ Articles

  • Tech Articles
  • Android Issues
  • iPhone Issues

With a decade of software industry experience, Margaret Serenity is PoGoskill's leading editor for resolving iPhone and Android issues. Her online guides have assisted millions of users globally.