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User profile for user: millio
millio Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Removing Activation Lock

I had to restore my IPhone, but it's stuck in activation lock, and even two levels of Apple tech support haven't been able to help. I'm asked to enter the Apple ID/password I used when I first set up my IPhone 6 Plus in early 2016. I've changed my Apple ID and my email address once or twice since then, and have tried all the combinations I can recall. The only clue they've given me suggest an email address I've never had, maybe one that the Apple retail store used to set up my device? Due to Covid and the Sonoma County fires, I have to wait several days to get an appointment at a retail store, but we may have to evacuate, and my phone is my emergency lifeline. Anyone know how to solve this?

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 13

Posted on Aug 24, 2020 7:48 AM

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User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch
User level: Level 10
212,892 points

Posted on Aug 24, 2020 7:55 AM

The only way to solve it is entering the Apple ID and password that were used to enable Activation Lock.


Let’s think about your Apple ID. Did you change the email address on your Apple ID account as described here—>Change your Apple ID - Apple Support, or did you throw the account away and create a new one? If you just changed the Apple ID email address on the account then the new Apple ID and password should work with Activation Lock. If you created a new Apple ID then you are really stuck, because only the account that was used at the time will work to remove Activation Lock.


If you bought the phone new from Apple and have the receipt that shows the serial number, along with identification, Apple may be able to remove Activation Lock from the phone. That is the only other alternative.

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User profile for user: Lawrence Finch
Lawrence Finch
User level: Level 10
212,892 points

Aug 24, 2020 7:55 AM in response to millio

The only way to solve it is entering the Apple ID and password that were used to enable Activation Lock.


Let’s think about your Apple ID. Did you change the email address on your Apple ID account as described here—>Change your Apple ID - Apple Support, or did you throw the account away and create a new one? If you just changed the Apple ID email address on the account then the new Apple ID and password should work with Activation Lock. If you created a new Apple ID then you are really stuck, because only the account that was used at the time will work to remove Activation Lock.


If you bought the phone new from Apple and have the receipt that shows the serial number, along with identification, Apple may be able to remove Activation Lock from the phone. That is the only other alternative.

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User profile for user: millio
millio Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Aug 24, 2020 8:55 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thank you, that last suggestion was also what the tech support supervisor recommended last night and fortunately I have all that info and have now scanned it in and emailed it, but will be without my IPhone for at least 3 business days waiting for a response due to the double crises of fires and pandemic. We have been a dedicated Apple household since the mid-80's, with at least a dozen active devices, but the last few rounds of upgrades and security precautions have added a maddening complexity that's shaking my faith in Apple's ability to deliver a uniquely simple, user-friendly experience.

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Removing Activation Lock

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