14 Ways to Find a Stolen or Lost iPhone

Unlike some of the others on this list, the Device Locator app doesn't require a monthly subscription. Instead, this US$4.99 app lets you log into a web-based account to track the location of a phone, cause it to make noise, lock the phone to prevent access by a thief, and more.

FoneHome offers GPS-based location of lost or stolen iPhones, as well as the ability to remotely take photos (maybe you'll snap a pic of the thief), play a sound (to help you find your iPhone in the couch), and track information online. Unlike many other apps, it does not require a subscription service, meaning that $1.99 is all you'll pay.

A web-based service that attempts to trick thieves into sending location data about your phone to its servers. With that information, you can log into a web console to locate your iPhone by GPS, map, IP address, and more. While the company charges for its service on other platforms, as of this writing (Oct. 2010), it is free on the iPhone.

IHound not only helps locate iPhones that have been lost of stolen, but it also lets you track the location of kids, spouses, etc. via their iPhones. Additionally, it can spur actions based on GPS location, such as emailing a grocery list when you get to the store. The app requires a subscription service. The first three months are included with app purchase, while extensions run US$3.99-$19.99.

This service requires a jailbroken iPhone and getting the app through Cydia, meaning that not all users may be comfortable doing what's needed to use it. If you are, iLocalis not only tracks the location of your iPhone, but lets you send remote commands - place calls, delete data, record audio, lock - to the phone, which can either help determine where the phone is or prevent a thief from from accessing your data.

This $0.99 app doesn't use GPS to locate your phone. Instead, it relies on good Samaritans to return a lost phone. The app creates a wallpaper/lock screen image with a message asking the person who finds the phone to call you. As of this writing (Oct. 2010), the website of the developer is offline, which would lead me to pretty strongly consider not buying the app.

Like If Found +, MyFoundCast lets you create a custom iPhone wallpaper with your account number and information that a reward is available if you report the lost phone at the MyFoundCast website. Annual memberships are currently free.

This official app from Apple uses the company's iCloud service to locate your lost phone. You can also remotely lock the phone and set a passcode on it, or even remotely delete its data - two nice security features. It's free and requires access to another iOS device or a web-connected computer when yours is lost.

Learn how to Set up Find My iPhone | Use Find My iPhone

This subscription-based service can track stolen or lost iPhones, BlackBerrys, Anroid phones, and Windows Mobile phones. Mobile Spy features include a web-based account to log incoming calls and texts, locate via GPS, record newly added contacts, track emails, and more. Subscriptions cost up to US$99.97 a year.

Another GPS-tracking app that checks in on your phone's position regularly and reports it to a web-based account. PleaseFindMyPhone doesn't require a subscription service or monthly, just the cost of the app - $4.99.