How does Find My iPhone app work?

[iMore Question]

As the subject title suggests, my question is simple - How exactly does the Find My iPhone app work? Could someone try to shed some light on this for me please?

I assume it has something to do with a combination of the GPS technology and SIM card. And the phone requires power?

To put my query into context, I am undertaking a PhD studying the movements of seals. I was hoping to build into my tags some sort of technology similar to this, so that when the tag pops-off the individual and floats to the surface, I will be able to locate it similar to how one would find their iPhone.

Look forward to hearing how it all works...

Many thanks,

Will

 

[anon(9602380)]

You can find all the info you require about the Find My iPhone [URL="https://www.apple.com/ca/support/icloud/find-my-iphone-ipad-ipod-mac/#mn_p]app here[/URL]. Or [URL="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8&at=10l3Vy]here[/URL].