Free laptop tracking software: Find My and Find my device
Both Macs and Windows laptops come with a built-in way to see a lost laptop on a map. On a Mac it's Find My. On Windows it's Find my device. Neither works unless it was switched on before the laptop went missing, so the setup is the part to do today.
Quick answer
Find My on a Mac can show a lost Mac's approximate location, play a sound, lock it or erase it. Find my device on Windows can show the laptop on a map and lock it. Both come with the operating system, and both have to be turned on beforehand: Find My through your Apple Account, Find my device with a Microsoft personal account.
What laptop tracking is built in?
Each system has its own, run by the company that makes it.
| Mac: Find My | Windows: Find my device | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in needed | Apple Account | Microsoft personal account, as an Administrator |
| Location | Location Services on, with Find My allowed | Location turned on for the device |
| See it on a map | Yes, its approximate location | Yes, its most recent known location |
| Play a sound | Yes | Not described on Microsoft's page |
| Lock it | Yes | Yes, with a lock-screen message |
| Erase it | Yes | Not described on Microsoft's page |
Apple says Find My Mac is the only Apple service that can help track or locate a lost Mac. Microsoft's page covers a desktop, laptop, tablet or Surface.
How do I turn on Find My on a Mac?
Turn on Location Services first, then Find My Mac. Apple's steps:
- Open System Settings, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then Location Services.
- Turn on Location Services, then turn on Find My in the list of apps. If Find My isn't listed, go to System Services, click Details, and turn on Find My Mac.
- Go back and click your name at the top of the sidebar. If you don't see your name, click Sign in and sign in with your Apple Account.
- Click iCloud, click See All, then click Find My Mac.
- Click Turn On, then click Allow when asked to let Find My Mac use your Mac's location.
- Choose whether to turn on the Find My network, then click Done.
Apple describes the Find My network as an encrypted, anonymous network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that can help locate your device even when it's offline. If the Mac has more than one user account, Apple says Find My Mac can be used by only one user at a time.
Adding your Mac to Find My also turns on Activation Lock, on a Mac with Apple silicon or the T2 chip and two-factor authentication on your Apple Account. Apple says it's designed to prevent others from using your Mac if it's lost or stolen.
How do I turn on Find my device on Windows?
Microsoft's requirements come first. You need to sign in to the laptop with a Microsoft personal account, the account needs to be an Administrator, and the feature works when location is turned on for the device.
- Check location: open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Location and turn location services on. Microsoft says location services enable Windows features including Find my device.
- Turn on Find my device in Settings. Microsoft's support page links straight to the Find my device settings page.
To find the laptop later:
- Go to account.microsoft.com/devices and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on the laptop.
- Select the Find my device tab, then choose your laptop from the list.
- Select Find to update the map with its most recent known location.
- To lock it, select Lock > Next, type a lock-screen message for whoever finds it, then select Lock. Microsoft then suggests you select Reset password.
Microsoft says anyone using the device sees a notification whenever you try to locate it.
What can these tools do once a Mac is missing?
On another device, open the Find My app, choose Devices, then select your Mac. Apple says Find My shows its approximate location on a map and can play a sound. You can mark it as lost or erase it, but the Mac must be turned on and connected to the internet for either.
Apple also says a location may not be found if more than 7 days have passed since the device last sent its location to Apple.
If Find My wasn't set up, Apple's advice is to protect your accounts instead, by changing your passwords and reporting it to the police. The steps are in what to do if your MacBook is stolen.
Should I download a separate laptop tracker?
Check what's built in first: both tools above come with the operating system. If you do look at other software, get it from a safe place. Apple says the App Store is the safest place to get Mac apps. Microsoft says to download software only from official Microsoft partner websites or the Microsoft Store. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says don't click on ads to download software, and type the website's address yourself.
Where Failshot fits
Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security, for the moment someone sits down at your Mac and unlocks it.
While it's on, Failshot photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video. Find My is for where your Mac is. Failshot is for who unlocked it.
- With the Mac's built-in camera, the green light comes on, and Failshot's window tells whoever unlocked the Mac that the unlock was photographed.
- With Pro, turn on alerts and Failshot emails you about an unlock you don't confirm as yours, with the photo and the time, and the clip when one was recorded.
- Switching it off, or quitting it from its menu, takes Touch ID or your Failshot PIN and answer, never your Mac password.
Failshot for Mac is out now at failshot.app, for macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. Your card is taken at sign-up and charged on day 8 unless you cancel. Windows, iPhone and Android versions are coming soon.
More questions
Is there free tracking software for a laptop?
Yes, built in. Macs include Find My, which can show a lost Mac's approximate location, play a sound, lock it or erase it. Windows includes Find my device, which shows the laptop's most recent known location and can lock it.
Can I track my laptop if I didn't set anything up?
Not with these tools. Apple says Find My Mac must be set up before the Mac goes missing, and Microsoft says Find my device needs to be turned on before you can use it. Change your passwords and report it to the police.
Does Find My work when the Mac is offline?
The Find My network is designed for that. Apple describes it as an encrypted, anonymous network of Apple devices that can help locate your device even when it's offline. Lost Mode or erasing needs the Mac turned on and connected to the internet.
Does Find my device work with a work or school account?
Microsoft's page asks you to sign in to the device with a Microsoft personal account, as an Administrator. For a work laptop, ask your IT team how the company handles a lost device.
Will the person using my laptop know I'm looking for it?
On Windows, yes. Microsoft says anyone using the device sees a notification whenever you try to locate it.
Sources
- Set up Find My on Mac, Apple Support
- Locate a device in Find My on Mac, Apple Support
- If your Mac has been lost or stolen, Apple Support
- Activation Lock for Mac, Apple Support
- Open apps safely on your Mac, Apple Support
- Find and lock a lost Windows device, Microsoft Support
- Find and lock a lost Windows PC, Microsoft Support
- Windows location service and privacy, Microsoft Support
- Protect yourself from tech support scams, Microsoft Support
- Malware: How To Protect Against, Detect, and Remove It, FTC