HT204233: Get help using Find My iPhone

Learn about Get help using Find My iPhone
DDDDeclan

Q: Activation Issue

I've removed the iphone from icloud but when i try to activate it, it still says that it is linked to another account?

iPhone 4S

Posted on Mar 24, 2014 7:25 PM

Close

Q: Activation Issue

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by randers4,Helpful

    randers4 randers4 Mar 24, 2014 7:31 PM in response to DDDDeclan
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 7:31 PM in response to DDDDeclan

    You have to get the previous owner to erase the device and remove it from their account, as discussed in the article you were reading.  Only the previous owner can help with this, and there is no way around activation lock.

  • by DDDDeclan,

    DDDDeclan DDDDeclan Mar 24, 2014 8:08 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 8:08 PM in response to randers4

    right, and i appreciate the reply! But i was just on the previous owners account, i called them from my house phone to get the details; logged in and removed the device. After i removed the device, i turned off the iphone turned it back on and tried to activate it but it still gave me the same error telling me that this apple id can't be used to open this iphone.

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Mar 24, 2014 8:32 PM in response to DDDDeclan
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 8:32 PM in response to DDDDeclan

    Try powering it off, then back on.

     

    Was the device erased?  These are the proper steps (from http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4515):

     

    If the previous owner is not present
    Make sure the device is powered on and connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Then contact the previous owner and ask them to follow these steps to remove the device from their account:

    1. Sign in to their iCloud account at www.icloud.com/find.
    2. Click All Devices to open a list of devices linked to their account, then select the device to be removed.
    3. Click the Erase button to erase all content and settings from the device. When prompted, don't enter a phone number or message. Click Next until the device is erased.
    4. When the erase is complete, click "Remove from Account" to remove the device from the account.

    After the device is erased and removed from the account, you can proceed with the device setup process.

  • by DDDDeclan,

    DDDDeclan DDDDeclan Mar 25, 2014 5:19 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 25, 2014 5:19 PM in response to randers4

    Thank you for the advice guys. I took the phone to the apple store, turns out my cousin had gotten it from a previous owner as well. Found the correct id and set up the phone!

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Mar 25, 2014 5:20 PM in response to DDDDeclan
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Mar 25, 2014 5:20 PM in response to DDDDeclan

    You're welcome.  Great news.