What should I do if I bought a blocked iPhone?

hello.I bought. iPhone xs 256gb used on eBay. the phone has not been reset. and it has an iCloud account.the seller told me the screen code.but he refuses to send me the iCloud account code so that I can reset the data and link the phone from the account. I can send all the evidence that I bought this phone from ebay. the IMEI of the phone is visible in the photos. the seller says that he forgot to erase the data. can you help me not to lose the money I gave for this phone


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone XS

Posted on May 2, 2023 12:37 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 2, 2023 12:45 AM

If you have bought 2nd hand iPhone, you must contact the seller (hopefully it is the previous owner), otherwise you have been scammed.

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 or iPad - 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 find where you're signed in - Apple Support

 

Then you can sign in with your own 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)


Read this before you buy a newer iPhone.

  

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.


See also -> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device

Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device – Apple Support (UK)



the seller says that he forgot to erase the data.  

Ask your money back if possible, perhaps you have bought a stolen iPhone.



1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

May 2, 2023 12:45 AM in response to narek150

If you have bought 2nd hand iPhone, you must contact the seller (hopefully it is the previous owner), otherwise you have been scammed.

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 or iPad - 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 find where you're signed in - Apple Support

 

Then you can sign in with your own 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)


Read this before you buy a newer iPhone.

  

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.


See also -> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device

Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device – Apple Support (UK)



the seller says that he forgot to erase the data.  

Ask your money back if possible, perhaps you have bought a stolen iPhone.



What should I do if I bought a blocked iPhone?

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