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User profile for user: brunosoaress
brunosoaress Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

iPhone Locked to Owner - Can't get to the screen to enter Apple ID

I bought and refurbished iPhone 11 for a relative of a family member but after a couple days of use it stopped getting 4G to the point we couldn't go into the celular menu inside of settings and updating was not working either. We them decide to try to restore the iPhone using a computer and after updating to the latest version of iOS in hopes that it would fix the issue the phone showed the message Phone locked to owner and we could not get to the screen to enter the Apple ID and the only option available after connecting to Wi-Fi was to turn the phone off. We them remove the phone from his iCloud but so that locked to owner would disappear but to our surprise it is still having the same weird issue where once we restart the phone it shows locked to owner with the first characters of his Apple ID and we can't get to the screen to enter the email and password, only seeing and option to turn off the phone where it we would expect to be prompted to enter his Apple ID and password. We even try to put the phone in DFU mode and restore that way but the issue still persists we can't get to the screen to enter the Apple ID. Has anyone face that before and how did you solve it?

Posted on Aug 2, 2022 3:33 PM

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User profile for user: Raicya
Raicya
User level: Level 10
209,181 points

Posted on Aug 3, 2022 4:54 AM

I bought and refurbished iPhone

Where did you purchase?

Go back to that store and report that the iPhone is still connected / linked to the previous owner.

That shop should solve the problem "locked to owner" for you.

If the store can't / won't solve it, ask for your money back.


Each Apple device is linked/associated with an Apple ID of the person who did the setup.

Activation Lock prevents anyone who is not the owner from using this iPhone.

To unlock the Phone, you need the Apple ID and password of the previous owner, that were used during set up.

So you have to contact the previous owner.

 

The previous owner has to read -> this Apple article: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

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

 

Then the previous owner has to remove the iPhone from his account, see this Apple article:

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in - Apple Support

 

Then you can sign in with own your Apple ID.

 

See the following Apple articles:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

 

How to remove Activation Lock

How to remove Activation Lock – Apple Support (UK)

If you need help removing Activation Lock and have proof of purchase documentation, you can start an Activation Lock support request.

 

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community                                 

 

You can also 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.



A reliable address to purchase refurbished iPhone is at Apple, see: Apple refurbished products -> 

Certified Refurbished Products - Apple (UK)

Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple



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User profile for user: Raicya
Raicya
User level: Level 10
209,181 points

Aug 3, 2022 4:54 AM in response to brunosoaress

I bought and refurbished iPhone

Where did you purchase?

Go back to that store and report that the iPhone is still connected / linked to the previous owner.

That shop should solve the problem "locked to owner" for you.

If the store can't / won't solve it, ask for your money back.


Each Apple device is linked/associated with an Apple ID of the person who did the setup.

Activation Lock prevents anyone who is not the owner from using this iPhone.

To unlock the Phone, you need the Apple ID and password of the previous owner, that were used during set up.

So you have to contact the previous owner.

 

The previous owner has to read -> this Apple article: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

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

 

Then the previous owner has to remove the iPhone from his account, see this Apple article:

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in - Apple Support

 

Then you can sign in with own your Apple ID.

 

See the following Apple articles:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

 

How to remove Activation Lock

How to remove Activation Lock – Apple Support (UK)

If you need help removing Activation Lock and have proof of purchase documentation, you can start an Activation Lock support request.

 

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community                                 

 

You can also 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.



A reliable address to purchase refurbished iPhone is at Apple, see: Apple refurbished products -> 

Certified Refurbished Products - Apple (UK)

Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple



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User profile for user: brunosoaress
brunosoaress Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Aug 11, 2022 1:04 AM in response to Raicya

I bought it from the refurbished section from the Apple Store store online with my Apple Card then asked Goldman folks to convert my purchase to a payment plan so his grandma would pay pay me over time. We sent an activation lock assistant request but at this point all we can do is wait. For now all he got is a expensive paper yellow paperweight

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iPhone Locked to Owner - Can't get to the screen to enter Apple ID

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