Title: Old device removed from devices list in settings but still shows in Find My — can it still sync iCloud photos

Body:


I had an old device that used to be signed in to my Apple ID. Later when i bought a new iphone, it disappeared from Settings > [my name] > Devices (I’m not sure if I removed it remotely from my new device or changed my password and signed out from other devices), but it still appeared in Find My for a long time afterward.


My question: if the device is no longer listed under my Apple ID devices in “Settings” > “my name” but still visible in “find my”, is it still possible for it to sync iCloud photos, or is that 100% impossible? (P.S. i am asking because i do not know where this device is)


Thank you.

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Nov 9, 2025 6:27 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 9, 2025 9:23 PM

Kawabanga11 wrote:

No. But again , the question is if the device is not listed in settings it should not sync any icloud photos right? (Even if its visible in find my)

The reason why I asked is because it depends on how you signed out and that was what you did not remember. The device will not currently by syncing to iCloud while it does not appear on your device list, but it may be offline and appear again when it comes online, then syncing would continue.

  • Devices that you remove from the list won’t have access to iCloud, Find My, or other Apple services, and won’t display verification codes for two-factor authentication.
  • If you’re still signed in to your Apple Account on the device, it might reappear on your Apple Account screen the next time your device connects to the internet. 

Check your Apple Account device list to find where you’re signed in - Apple Support


If you removed the device remotely using Find My then you will still see it listed in Find My for 30 days and may be why you do not see it in your Device List in Settings..

  • If the device is online, it can’t be removed, but you can prepare it for service. If you select Continue, the device is marked as Ready for Repair or Trade In for the next 30 days.
  • If the device is offline, Activation Lock is removed immediately, and the device is removed from Find My after 30 days.

Remove a device from Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support


I would suggest to erase the device, if it is one that you no longer know where it is.

Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support


After you remove the device from Find My, the device will be able to be set up again, but all data will be erased before that could happen. Erasing the device remotely does not remove the Activation Lock, so no one will be able to set it up. In any case, with it being Passcode protected, nobody will be able to view any data on the device unless they know the Passcode.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 9, 2025 9:23 PM in response to Kawabanga11

Kawabanga11 wrote:

No. But again , the question is if the device is not listed in settings it should not sync any icloud photos right? (Even if its visible in find my)

The reason why I asked is because it depends on how you signed out and that was what you did not remember. The device will not currently by syncing to iCloud while it does not appear on your device list, but it may be offline and appear again when it comes online, then syncing would continue.

  • Devices that you remove from the list won’t have access to iCloud, Find My, or other Apple services, and won’t display verification codes for two-factor authentication.
  • If you’re still signed in to your Apple Account on the device, it might reappear on your Apple Account screen the next time your device connects to the internet. 

Check your Apple Account device list to find where you’re signed in - Apple Support


If you removed the device remotely using Find My then you will still see it listed in Find My for 30 days and may be why you do not see it in your Device List in Settings..

  • If the device is online, it can’t be removed, but you can prepare it for service. If you select Continue, the device is marked as Ready for Repair or Trade In for the next 30 days.
  • If the device is offline, Activation Lock is removed immediately, and the device is removed from Find My after 30 days.

Remove a device from Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support


I would suggest to erase the device, if it is one that you no longer know where it is.

Erase a device in Find Devices on iCloud.com - Apple Support


After you remove the device from Find My, the device will be able to be set up again, but all data will be erased before that could happen. Erasing the device remotely does not remove the Activation Lock, so no one will be able to set it up. In any case, with it being Passcode protected, nobody will be able to view any data on the device unless they know the Passcode.

Title: Old device removed from devices list in settings but still shows in Find My — can it still sync iCloud photos

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