iPhone stuck on activation lock

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Level 1

8 points

iPhone stuck on activation lock

Hi can anyone help! I upgraded my iPhone from a xr to a 12 mini! So I thought I’d use the xr as a phone for work! I set up the xr with a new Apple ID but find my phone kept picking up the mini! So I turned off the find my iPhone! I restarted the phone but stupid me forgot my new Apple ID 😩... so now it’s stuck on activation lock... I’ve contacted Apple and given them details and a copy of the delivery note for the phone which had my name and imei number etc on it but Apple have denied the request and are saying now there’s nothing I can do ... anyone have any ideas please .. thanks

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Mar 27, 2021 11:43 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MrHoffman

Community+ 2025

Level 10

144,839 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:11 PM in response to Anthony9uk

To clear an Activation Lock, you will need the password of the associated Apple ID, or the original purchase receipt and matching photo ID and a discussion with Apple Support. Whatever happened here with your discussion with Apple, it seems that the documentation might be lacking?

The following links have more info on related topics:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support

How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts - Apple Support

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

Activation Lock is a theft deterrent mechanism. A theft deterrent that is easy to bypass would not be much of a deterrent.

And no, nobody here in the Apple discussion forums can help you clear Activation Lock.

Only the person holding the credentials to the Apple ID associated with the Activation Lock, or Apple, can clear this lock.

For Apple to clear the lock, you will have to provide a receipt with proof of original purchase and with matching serial number, and provide matching personal identification, or similar materials.

If you don’t have enough info to clear this, recycle the device.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:00 PM in response to Anthony9uk

See if you can recover the ID/password. Use every email address you can think of.

Apple ID - How to find your Apple An iCloud e-mail address is an Apple ID.

Apple ID - Find

If you forgot the Apple ID password, enter the Apple (iCloud) ID, and click Forgot Password. See if you can get an email option if necessary.

Apple ID - Manage

Apple ID – Forgot Password

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Answer 3

Mar 27, 2021 12:51 PM in response to Anthony9uk

To be clear: you’re discussing bypassing a theft-deterrent mechanism with other Apple users. Not with folks that work for Apple.

If you do not have this info and do not have a purchase receipt with serial number and name (whether an email receipt or online or otherwise), and cannot gain access to the Apple ID through password reset or account recovery as was previously-linked, recycle it.

Or try to make your case (again) to Apple.

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Answer 4

Mar 27, 2021 12:39 PM in response to Anthony9uk

Per what Apple has indicated, a delivery note likely isn’t sufficient proof of purchase, as a purchase receipt with a serial number is typical.

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Answer 5

Anthony9uk Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:21 PM in response to MrHoffman

i Sent them the delivery note like I said in the post ! Which had my name and imei number on it .. when you upgrade a phone you don’t get a Receipt you get a delivery note 🤷🏼‍♂️ And I put this on here because Apple have said they can’t do anything else and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas ! If they wanted extra information to prove it’s my phone I would have sent it to them I understand it’s an anti theft thing! Just don’t understand why the delivery note wasn’t excepted

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Answer 6

Anthony9uk Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:23 PM in response to MrHoffman

And they didn’t ask for any photo ID like you mentioned ! All they asked for was Proof the phone was mine ... I did inform them it was an upgrade 2 years ago and all I had was a delivery note which had my name address and the phone details etc on it

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Answer 7

Anthony9uk Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:44 PM in response to MrHoffman

Like I said you don’t get a purchase receipt when you upgrade a phone ! You get a delivery note which by the way had the serial number on it ... it had all the information on it imei, serial number name address etc on it ! Am not asking anyone how to get it unlock all am Asking is Apple have said because they havnt expected the documents there nothing I can do ! So is this 100% the case or can I get in touch with an activation lock team and explain and give more documents ? There were very helpful on phone that’s why I came on here

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Answer 8

Anthony9uk Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:59 PM in response to MrHoffman

Wooo hang on a minute here ... I’ve asked for help regarding it been stuck on activation lock not once have I mentioned “how do I by pass it” and to be clear I know you don’t work for Apple and I’ve posted this on here to ask for help with next steps you clearly gone into “oh his stolen a phone and wants help to bypass” and again to be clear YOU DONT GET A PURCHASE RECIPT WHEN YOU UPGRADE A PHONE ON CONTACT!! The delivery note had all the information on it including serial numbers !

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Answer 9

Anthony9uk Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2021 12:03 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi I’ve done this! Problem is to keep them all separate I used the Apple ID as the email for the phone 😩

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iPhone stuck on activation lock

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