I bought a second hand Iphone 14 that seems locked for icloud and/or apple ID

I asked the guy to show receipt, phone works,no message on the screen about stolen or lost, I can download apps from google etc, can call with it, but i cannot get an apple id on it. Imei check (should have done when purchased, I know) says blacklisted. Called the shop of the receipt list, they said it's probably falsified, called the guy I bought it from, says I called the wrong number, even though it was his voice !! So, yes, dodgy enough. If I go to the Istore tomorrow will they be able to help me trace the owner, if stolen? Or get hold of the owner to ask him to log out of iCloud? Any advice? it's my first Iphone after years of Samsung, so I am not too familiar yet with lots of stuff.

iPhone 14

Posted on May 14, 2023 2:43 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 14, 2023 2:49 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)


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

If you can't get in touch with the seller 'that guy', you can't use the iPhone.

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 14, 2023 2:49 AM in response to Jbayman

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)


----- 

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

If you can't get in touch with the seller 'that guy', you can't use the iPhone.

May 14, 2023 5:10 AM in response to Jbayman

Having read everything what you have written, plus it being blacklisted suggests strongly it was stolen. If you want to, you can read all the links provided in a previous post about the activation lock feature, but in short, there is nothing you can do other than recycle the device. There is nothing Apple or any service store can/will do to find the owner or remove the lock since apparently you do not have a true receipt from an official Apple vendor. If a device is stolen, the owner has the option to mark it as lost in their account and it to leave a message that will display, but apparently this has not been done.


If you try to buy a used iPhone in the future, you can get them from Apple. If you try a private party, make sure they have done all the things in this support article (don't just take their word they have done this) What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


May 14, 2023 7:05 AM in response to Raicya

The man I bought it from, seemed confused, he was an elderly chap, smelled a bit like alcohol, whose wife passed away not long ago, he said he needed the money badly , his son bought he phone for him. Everything works, I can go online, call, etc. I just want to return the phone to the rightful owner IF it was stolen. If the previous owner didn't sign out of iCloud i would like him/her to do that. so, yeah, difficult....

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I bought a second hand Iphone 14 that seems locked for icloud and/or apple ID

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