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UNABLE to activate your phone

Hello dear Apple team I am Zain Abubakar I bought a used apple phone from the shop and restored it to remove all previous data and now my phone is saying UNABLE TO ACTIVATE YOUR DEVICE plz help me out ASAP I have tried every method to solve it from youtube but cannot be fixed

Posted on Aug 21, 2022 6:04 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 22, 2022 12:14 AM

You must contact that store and ask your money back.

If it's a reliable store, they know how to prep a used iPhone before selling.

If the store refuses to cooperate, report to the police.


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.


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)

 

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.

 


1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 22, 2022 12:14 AM in response to ZainAbubakar

You must contact that store and ask your money back.

If it's a reliable store, they know how to prep a used iPhone before selling.

If the store refuses to cooperate, report to the police.


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.


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)

 

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.

 


UNABLE to activate your phone

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