Activation lock

iCloud uses your Apple ID and password. If you only have one Apple ID, it would be the same ID and password as you used to log into this forum. If you have another and have forgotten the ID or password, see the following:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

or

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

This read pertains to activation lock; all iDevice possibilities are covered below. Note that no one here is authorized to provide instructions for removing activation lock and that activation lock is a theft deterrent system. But you can turn activation lock off under the conditions mentioned below.

See Turn off Activation Lock https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201441See this heading  If you erased your own device It says: "If you don't sign out of iCloud before you put your device in recovery mode and restore, it might remain in Activation Lock. That means you need to enter the same Apple ID and password that … was used when … [the device was last set up].

[Use] forgot your Apple ID or your Apple ID password [to recover the needed credentials if you don't know them.]

If you have iOS 11 or later and your account is protected with two-factor authentication, you can turn off Activation Lock with your device Passcode. Tap Unlock with Passcode, then tap Use Device Passcode."

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Otherwise, the existence of activation lock guarantees that the pertinent security questions cannot be answered satisfactorily. In such cases Security and your Apple ID https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201303 is relevant.

This document says “without proof of your identity via security questions and other carefully selected criteria, Apple Support can't help you reset a password or perform any other actions on your account.”

Thus, we can do nothing to help you, except to mention that Apple support might help you if you have an extenuating circumstance (e.g., you have the receipt for your purchase of a pertinent device with its serial number on it). If you want to contact Apple support to discuss any possible extenuating circumstance, see the support options below. Alternatively, if an Apple Store is open in your area, then you can go there to deal with your extenuating circumstance. In this case, you can make a genius-bar appointment (https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/) if you want to.

Get a call from Apple support to help solve your problem using this

link https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362

Apple ID Support https://support.apple.com/apple-id

Apple ID account security for country-specific and

region-specific help https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204169

Get Support: We’re here to help https://getsupport.apple.com/. Go through the options to find the best support option.

If necessary, if you are the original owner, contact Apple. They can remove the Activation Lock if provided the required paperwork. Either take the device, the original purchase receipt with the serial number, and a photo ID to the nearest Apple Store (if it has reopened)

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple.    

or contact Apple ID Support. 

 Apple ID - Official Apple Support.    

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support.  (Link doesn’t always load)   

Get Support      Work through the screens to get a chat option. 

Apple Support schedule phone call

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport