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my new iPhone activat iPhone locked to owner

The iPhone I bought is locked to owner. Is it possible to remove it?

iPhone 11

Posted on Dec 31, 2022 12:22 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 31, 2022 5:24 AM

Hi kavishan,


You are encountering the Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support feature or its related service iCloud - Find My - Apple . Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.


Click on this link to learn how to remove Activation Lock --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


You can remove the activation lock regardless of who the owner is, original or not, you just need the information.


If you do not know the required information and you are not the owner, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.


From what you describe there is no evidence that you have been intentionally scammed.


Here are additional resources if you are the original owner or can find the original owner:


Help with a lost Apple ID or password:

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID email address or phone number - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Reset device:

Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance. Typically it would be the first owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer, but Apple will decide what proof they will accept and from whom. Apple does not say anywhere that I have ever seen that you have to be the original owner.


*Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support



2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 31, 2022 5:24 AM in response to kavishan129

Hi kavishan,


You are encountering the Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support feature or its related service iCloud - Find My - Apple . Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.


Click on this link to learn how to remove Activation Lock --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


You can remove the activation lock regardless of who the owner is, original or not, you just need the information.


If you do not know the required information and you are not the owner, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.


From what you describe there is no evidence that you have been intentionally scammed.


Here are additional resources if you are the original owner or can find the original owner:


Help with a lost Apple ID or password:

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID email address or phone number - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Reset device:

Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance. Typically it would be the first owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer, but Apple will decide what proof they will accept and from whom. Apple does not say anywhere that I have ever seen that you have to be the original owner.


*Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support



Dec 31, 2022 1:45 AM in response to kavishan129

If you've bought an iPhone and it turns out to be activation locked, you must contact the seller in order to get the lock removed.

If you cannot contact the seller, you've been scammed unfortunately. There is no way to remove the activation lock if you're not the original owner of the iPhone. Activation lock is one of the best theft deterrent systems out there, Apple will not remove it for you if you're not the original owner, and you cannot remove it yourself..


If the seller cannot remove the lock for you, recycle the iPhone and count it as a bad experience


See this link for further reference about this matter:

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


my new iPhone activat iPhone locked to owner

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