how does a normal person sign in to a second hand iphone 4?

If you can’t connect to the iCloud server, you can try to connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes. Click your device and then select Set up as a new Device. If that doesn’t work, you can try putting it in recovery mode.

irritatedginger wrote:

i cant sign in to icloud on an iphone 4 that i've just bought. i cant create a new account as my phone tells me that it cant connect to the icloud server.

Probably you have purchased an activation-locked device.

If you do not remember the Apple ID Password then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you do not remember the Apple ID then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.

If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their Apple ID.

1. If you intend to buy a second-hand iOS device
   1. If you are buying Second-hand then please demand an original receipt of purchase issued by the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and many Apple-authorized resellers and wireless service providers from the person/agency that is selling you the device.
2. Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from strangers
   1. Before you buy an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account. Ask the seller whether or not they've turned off Activation Lock, then follow these steps:
   2. Turn on the device and slide it to unlock.
   3. If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it's been erased.
   4. Begin the device setup process.
   5. If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, they can remove the device from their account by signing in to icloud.com/find. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.
   6. You will know that a device is ready for you to use when you're asked to "Set up your iPhone," “Set up your iPad," or “Set up your iPod” the first time you turn it on.
   7. If you buy a device that's still linked to a previous owner's account, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to erase the device and remove it from their account. Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.

irritatedginger wrote:

this service is far from great, i am almost certain i'll be buying another android again tomorrow. i cant sign in to icloud on an iphone 4 that i've just bought.

Do you really mean an iPhone 4? That phone was discontinued by Apple almost 10 years ago. It won't even work on most cellular networks. That might explain why you can't get it to connect.

irritatedginger wrote:

this service is far from great, i am almost certain i'll be buying another android again tomorrow.

Mobile brand selection is an individual choice based on many parameters. Such as Money, Feature, Status, Aesthetic, Utility, User-Friendliness, Availability, Warranty Coverage, Service Support, Resale value, Technology and many other factors. Choose yours judiciously!

You'll need an actual computer, not a chromebook, to connect to an iPhone.

Regardless, if the device is already activation locked, you'll need those credentials to unlock it.