iPhone locked to owner

I have a iPhone 12 Pro Max that is locked to owner and that don’t remember the password to the iCloud and no longer have access to the phone number associated with the iCloud account how do I reset the password

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Posted on Jul 19, 2023 7:38 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 19, 2023 7:50 PM

You’ll need to start account recovery to reset the password and trusted phone number.


While their online support article says for forgotten password, account recovery steps are also for a new phone number if you can’t sign in to update the number.  See "To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers" at  Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support and How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support


When going thru the account recovery steps  you need to first enter in that old number to show you know it. Then when you get to the step where it says it sent a code to that old number select the option most like “didn’t get code” and it will let you continue with your current number.


Always scroll down for additional options in small blue print if the  ones showing don’t apply to/work for you.


When starting the account recovery steps the credit card is an extra option and not required. (See prior tip)


Account recovery is a two phase process once started. Phase 1 is the evaluation period, usually 24-72 hours but can be longer or shorter. This phase says Apple is evaluating your info and you’ll get an update after the posted time is over (people mistakenly think it means they’ll be able to reset the password immediately after this first phase.)


Once phase 1 is done it enters phase 2 where https://iforgot.apple.com/ will give you the final amount of days (can be weeks) you’ll wait. On that final day you’ll get a text/email, follow that text/email immediately.


2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 19, 2023 7:50 PM in response to Jamesleslie1993

You’ll need to start account recovery to reset the password and trusted phone number.


While their online support article says for forgotten password, account recovery steps are also for a new phone number if you can’t sign in to update the number.  See "To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers" at  Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support and How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support


When going thru the account recovery steps  you need to first enter in that old number to show you know it. Then when you get to the step where it says it sent a code to that old number select the option most like “didn’t get code” and it will let you continue with your current number.


Always scroll down for additional options in small blue print if the  ones showing don’t apply to/work for you.


When starting the account recovery steps the credit card is an extra option and not required. (See prior tip)


Account recovery is a two phase process once started. Phase 1 is the evaluation period, usually 24-72 hours but can be longer or shorter. This phase says Apple is evaluating your info and you’ll get an update after the posted time is over (people mistakenly think it means they’ll be able to reset the password immediately after this first phase.)


Once phase 1 is done it enters phase 2 where https://iforgot.apple.com/ will give you the final amount of days (can be weeks) you’ll wait. On that final day you’ll get a text/email, follow that text/email immediately.


Jul 19, 2023 7:45 PM in response to Jamesleslie1993

If you are logged into any other Apple devices with the same Apple ID then you can reset the password there. If not, if you are the original owner of the iPhone then you can submit proof of purchase and Apple will remove the Apple ID through Activation lock removal. You will need to restore it once you get the confirmation email that it's been completed.


See this article: How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support



If you are not the original owner then you will have to reach out to that person and have them remove it on iCloud.com/find, then click on "show all devices". In that drop down pick your iPhone and then click remove. This will remove the activation lock.

iPhone locked to owner

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