We have a phone that was on my husbands account of a disgruntled employee and we need to turn off the find my iPhone or do a hard reset..

Was the iPhone managed by a Mobile Device Management or similar plan?

• Yes. That plan has a method for dealing with this situation.
• No. The iPhone is Activation Locked and will remain useless forever without the employee’s cooperation. Perhaps with appropriate paperwork a Support Request would work as described at the bottom here. How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Unfortunately, simply doing a factory reset on the device will not remove the previously connected iCloud account. This is done to prevent devices that someone finds to simply erase it and begin to use it.

You are likely going to need to complete an Activation Unlock, which requires original proof of purchase from the retailer you originally bought the iPhone from. Essentially, this process identifies you as the owner of the iPhone and will systematically remove the connected iCloud from the device.

You can submit the request online here: Activation Lock - Support (apple.com)

Since you mentioned that you have employees that have access to iPhones you own, you should reach out to Apple and inquire about MDM (Mobile Device Management) software. This allows you to always be in-control of company owned devices and you can reset them with a click of a button. If you are near an Apple store, call and ask to speak with the Business Team. They're local and solely interested in being a trusted partner for you and your business. See also: Business - Apple

You can contact Apple support for help, -> Get Support (apple.com)

You have to show proof of ownership of your product, provide all documentation showing your purchase of the device.

If you do not have additional proof of ownership, contact the reseller. They may be able to provide the original purchase document.

Once Apple receive your proof of ownership, Apple will further review your request and provide an update.

Hi Mary,

There are a large variety of MDM solutions. Most common is Jamf but I honestly could not even begin to speculate the cost of such a service. Jamf website: Jamf Apple Device Management | Mac iPad iPhone TV Apple MDM

These articles may lead you in the right direction, but I would consider a call to your local Apple Store to just speak with a Business rep. They could provide more accurate information tailored to your needs.

Intro to mobile device management - Apple Support

Choose an MDM solution - Apple Support

Thank you so much- i sure will check this out

jeremyk - can a individual also use this MDM if they are the account holder for 4 phones or do you have to have a business to do this??

thanks,

Mary