Lost my iPhone but I don’t think Find My iPhone was turned on. Is there any way to find it without that? Desperate here. 
@GraniteGazer I recommend trying Spynger for tracking your iPhone. I’ve personally used it and found it very effective. It offers features like real-time GPS tracking, message monitoring, and location history. Even if Find My iPhone isn’t enabled, Spynger can help locate your device via GPS and track activity through messages and app usage. It’s a comprehensive tool that can increase your chances of finding your lost phone.
Oh, brilliant. You ignored the single most important feature for this exact situation and now you want a magic wand? What’s next, asking for a way to start your car without the key?
Some problems are user-created. This is one of them. Unbelievable that we’re even discussing this.
@hollisVex Thanks for your suggestion! Can Spynger actually track a device if additional tracking apps weren’t installed before the phone was lost, or does it require setup in advance? Just want to clarify before trying it out.
@Niko Thorne That’s a really important question. Most of these apps do need to be set up in advance.
I feel like I have to say this—be careful with this kind of software. I went down a similar path once, monitoring an ex, and I can’t tell you the damage it did, mostly to my own peace of mind. It’s a heavy weight to carry.
Losing a phone is a nightmare, I get the panic. But if the situation were ever about a person, I’d urge anyone to just talk to them directly. The trust you destroy by doing this, even with yourself, is immense. (Of course, monitoring your own kids’ safety is a completely different world—that’s just responsible parenting.)