Problem gifting an iPhone

Question

Level 1

133 points

Problem gifting an iPhone

I collect Apple gear from a senior community where I volunteer, delete all the data on the devices I am given and then pass them on to a local charity helping Afghan refugees resettle in our metro area.

I have a gentleman who would like to donate his deceased wife's iPhone8, but he does not know her Apple ID and can therefore neither log out m Find My Phone or her iCloud account.

I found this advice on another Apple forum.

If the Apple ID is still linked on that device, then all the data will be deleted by a factory reset, although the device will be "iCloud locked" until the Apple ID is logged out. This won't let any other user activate and use the device until the original Apple ID is logged out.

Can anyone:

A. Confirm this is true

B. Offer advice or guidance as to how to both securely erase all the data and still make the iPhone usable to whoever gets it?

Many, many thanks.

Posted on Jun 28, 2022 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,192 points

Jun 28, 2022 1:13 PM in response to Room101A

The phone is worthless until it is unlocked. If you want to pursue this, have a family member make the request to Apple. Details below:

How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple ...https://support.apple.com › en-us

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Answer 2

Room101A Author

Level 1

133 points

Jun 28, 2022 1:25 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks so much, Bob, for both the speed and clarity of your response.

Apple has made it so onerous...

If you'd like to request the permanent deletion of an Apple ID and data for someone who passed away, you'll need your Apple ID, the Apple ID for the account that you want to delete, and required legal documentation for your country or region.

...that I know none of the seniors whom I assist will be willing to jump through all these hoops.

I recognize that for legal purposes and to defeat social engineering efforts they have to do this.

It was a nice thought but there's one iPhone that is not going to be passed on.

Again, my thanks.

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Answer 3

Phil0124

Level 10

217,646 points

Jun 28, 2022 2:16 PM in response to Room101A

Yes. That is the only way the iPhone can be used by someone else.

Link-> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Phil0124

Level 10

217,646 points

Jun 28, 2022 1:56 PM in response to Room101A

Deleting the Apple ID will not unlock the iPhone, what you want is for the husband to request access to the account, so it can be logged out.

There aren't nay hoops to jump through beyond providing proof of ownership via a court order, which being the husband, should not be to difficult to attain.

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