How to erase an iPhone without Apple ID

You need the original sales receipt that was issued when you bought the iPhone and then you have to talk to Apple Security. What they did for me back in 2015 was wipe the previous Apple ID from Apple servers on their end and it took close to a month to do. There is another step in there but I can't remember it. It was a company phone so luckily we has the original sales receipt.

Hello ~ That is the activation lock. If the person/persons that you bought the iPhone from cannot or will not remove it …the iPhone is basically useless to you. If they cannot/will not remove it…return it and get your money back. We cannot help remove it nor can Apple. Take a look here:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Also:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone

~Katana-San~

Hey, guys. If you can no longer use your Apple ID, you can reset your iPhone using iTunes or Finder. However, if your iPhone has Find My enabled, it may get stuck at the activation lock screen after resetting. If this happens, you might need to contact official support to recover your iPhone.

If you forgot your Apple ID, how to fix it?

If you've just forgotten your Apple ID password, you can change the password in the Apple ID settings on your iPhone, and then proceed with the reset. This is a more reliable method to prevent your iPhone from becoming unusable.

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Is the Apple ID on the phone yours? Go to Settings > [name on top], to verify. If it is not yours, you will not be able to sign out without providing the password for that Apple ID. You will not be able to reset the phone if you cannot sign out the Apple ID of another person.

youmi16 wrote:

Hey, guys. If you can no longer use your Apple ID, you can reset your iPhone using iTunes or Finder.

Not without the Apple ID you can't.