Why Find My Doesn't Work on Your 2014 MacBook Pro

Find My on a 2014 MacBook Pro often fails because that model runs older versions of macOS that don't fully support the app. Apple released Find My in 2019 with macOS Catalina, but your 2014 MacBook Pro can only run up to macOS Big Sur (version 11). Even on Big Sur, Find My has limited features on older hardware and sometimes fails to connect to Apple's servers or sync with your other devices.

The most common reasons Find My doesn't work are: Location Services is turned off, your Mac isn't signed into iCloud with two-factor authentication enabled, your internet connection is unstable, or the app itself needs to be restarted. Less often, the problem is that your Mac's battery is too low to maintain the connection, or Find My's background processes have crashed.

Key Takeaways

  • A 2014 MacBook Pro can run Find My only on macOS Big Sur or later, and the app will have fewer features than on newer Macs.
  • Find My requires Location Services to be on, iCloud to be signed in with two-factor authentication, and a working internet connection.
  • Restarting the Find My app or restarting your entire Mac fixes the problem in most cases where the app is installed but not working.
  • If Find My still doesn't work after these steps, your Mac may be too old for reliable support and you may need to use iCloud.com instead.

Check That Location Services Is On

Find My cannot work if Location Services is disabled on your Mac. Open System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Preferences. Click Security & Privacy, then click the Privacy tab at the top.

Look for Location Services in the left sidebar and click it. You will see a checkbox at the bottom left that says "Enable Location Services." If that box is unchecked, click it to turn Location Services on. Your Mac will ask for permission; click OK. After you enable it, click the lock icon at the bottom left of the window to save your changes — you may need to enter your password.

Once Location Services is on, scroll down in the Privacy tab and find Find My in the list of apps. Make sure the checkbox next to Find My is checked. If it is not, click it to allow Find My to use your location.

Sign Into iCloud With Two-Factor Authentication

Find My only works when you are signed into iCloud and two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple ID. Open System Preferences, then click iCloud. If you are not signed in, click Sign In and enter your Apple ID email and password.

Once you are signed in, look for a message that says "Two-Factor Authentication" or "Two-Step Verification." If you see a button that says "Set Up Two-Factor Authentication" or "Enable," click it and follow the prompts. Apple will send a code to a trusted device — usually your iPhone or another Mac. Enter that code when prompted.

If two-factor authentication is already on, make sure Find My is checked in the list of iCloud services. Look for a checkbox next to "Find My Mac" and make sure it is checked. If it is grayed out, your Mac may not support it on your current version of macOS.

Restart Find My and Check Your Internet

Find My sometimes stops responding even when everything is set up correctly. The fastest fix is to close the app completely and reopen it. Click the Find My icon in your Dock, or open Finder, click Applications, and double-click Find My. If the app is already open, press Command+Q to close it, then wait five seconds and open it again.

While Find My is closed, check your internet connection. Open a web browser and visit a website like Google.com to make sure you have internet access. If your connection is slow or dropping, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking, then try Find My again.

If Find My still does not work, restart your entire Mac. Click the Apple menu, select Restart, and wait for your Mac to shut down and turn back on. This clears temporary files that may be blocking Find My from connecting to Apple's servers.

Update macOS to the Latest Version Your Mac Supports

A 2014 MacBook Pro can run macOS Big Sur (version 11), which is the newest version available for that model. If you are running an older version like Sierra or High Sierra, Find My will not work at all. Check which version you have by clicking the Apple menu, selecting About This Mac, and looking at the "System Version" line.

If you are not on Big Sur, you need to update. Click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, then click Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now. Your Mac will read and install the update, which may take 30 minutes to an hour. Do not close your Mac or unplug it during this process.

After the update finishes and your Mac restarts, open Find My again and check whether it now works. If you are already on Big Sur and Find My still does not work, move to the next step.

Use iCloud.com as an Alternative

If Find My still does not work on your 2014 MacBook Pro after these steps, the app may not be fully compatible with your hardware. You can still find your Mac using iCloud.com, which works in any web browser on any computer.

Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Find My (or Find iPhone if you see that option). Your Mac should appear in the list of devices. Click it to see its location on a map, play a sound, or mark it as lost. This method works even if the Find My app on your Mac is broken.

When Your Mac Is Too Old for Find My

If your 2014 MacBook Pro cannot run macOS Big Sur, or if Big Sur is installed but Find My still does not work after all these steps, your Mac may be too old for reliable support. Older hardware sometimes lacks the processors or wireless chips that Find My needs to connect properly.

In this case, use iCloud.com to locate your Mac instead. You can also enable Find My Mac through iCloud.com itself: go to iCloud.com, sign in, click Find My, click your Mac, and look for an option to enable Find My Mac on that device. This does not require the app to work on your Mac itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Find My on a 2014 MacBook Pro at all?

Yes, but only if you update to macOS Big Sur. Older versions of macOS do not include Find My. Even on Big Sur, the app has fewer features on a 2014 Mac than on newer models, and it may not work reliably.

What if I don't have two-factor authentication set up?

Find My requires two-factor authentication to be on for your Apple ID. If you have not set it up, go to iCloud in System Preferences, sign in, and look for the option to enable two-factor authentication. Apple will send a code to a trusted device to confirm your identity.

Does Find My work if my MacBook Pro is turned off?

No. Find My can only locate your Mac if it is powered on and connected to the internet. If your Mac is off or in sleep mode without internet access, Find My cannot find it. You can still mark it as lost through iCloud.com.

Why does Find My say my Mac is offline?

This usually means your Mac is not connected to Wi-Fi or has lost its internet connection. Check that Wi-Fi is on by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. If you are connected but Find My still says offline, restart your Mac and try again.

Is there a way to find my Mac if Find My doesn't work?

Yes. Go to iCloud.com on any computer, sign in with your Apple ID, click Find My, and your Mac should appear in the list of devices. You can see its location, play a sound, or mark it as lost from there, even if the Find My app on your Mac is broken.