You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone is locked to owner

my iPhone 12 got locked by the owner when I was using it and I had to use a different phone because I didn’t know how to get back into it



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 15

Posted on Aug 17, 2023 4:12 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2023 5:47 AM

My phone is locked how cen i open locked cen u tell me plz

58 replies

May 29, 2024 6:23 AM in response to Scoiphone12

Hi Scoiphone12.

Sorry to hear your iPhone 12 is locked to the owner, there are some Apple Official ways you can try, but I would like to tell you, that whatever method you use, you will lose data.


First, if you know the Apple ID password, you can use it to unlock your iPhone on the "locked to owner" screen.

Second, if you forgot your Apple ID password, you can reset it first, here: If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support


To unlock an iPhone 12 that is "Locked to Owner," you can follow these methods based on Apple Support


Using the Apple ID and Password:

  1. Enter the Credentials: When you see the Activation Lock screen, enter the Apple ID and password that were originally used to set up the device. This will unlock the iPhone if you have the correct credentials.


Using iCloud:

  1. Access iCloud: Go to iCloud.com.
  2. Sign In: Log in with the Apple ID that was used to set up the iPhone.
  3. Find My iPhone: Click on "Find iPhone."
  4. Select Device: Choose the iPhone 12 from the list of devices.
  5. Remove from Account: Click on "Erase iPhone" to erase all data, including the lock, and then click on "Remove from Account."


Using Apple Support:

  1. Support Request: If you have proof of purchase, you can contact Apple Support to request the removal of the Activation Lock. Visit Apple Support to start this process.


Potential Issues:

  1. Incorrect Credentials: If you don’t remember the Apple ID or password, you can try resetting your Apple ID password or finding your Apple ID through Apple’s support.
  2. Ownership Verification: If you bought the device second-hand, you may need to contact the previous owner to remove the device from their iCloud account remotely.


Troubleshooting:

  • Forgot Apple ID or Password: Use the Apple ID account page to recover your Apple ID or reset the password.
  • Device Still Linked: Ensure the device is not still linked to the previous owner's account by asking them to remove it via iCloud.

For more detailed instructions, refer to the official Apple Support page on Activation Lock.


If you don't have any idea about the previous Apple ID information, you might need to google this problem, or you might check this out, this might help:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


[Edited by Moderator]


May 29, 2024 6:29 AM in response to Oichoooooo

You realize NOTHING you provided will help someone if they don't know the owner who locked the phone, their Apple ID nor Apple ID Password. This appears to be a google searched answer, which won't help this user.


Finally, you responded to the original author, who by now has surely figured out they could not get into their phone as the post is from August 2023.

Nov 17, 2023 7:39 AM in response to sulekha242

As you can see, the only way to use the iPhone is by entering the original owners Apple ID and Password. This happens most frequently when a used phone is purchased from a third party. The original owner should have followed these steps to erase the device and remove Activation Lock before selling. If you did purchase this device from a third party, your options are to get a refund or have them enter their credentials. If you are unable to contact the seller, then you have a device that will never be able to be used.

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If you purchased the device new from Apple, then they may be able to help if you provide them the receipt that shows the serial number of the device as well as your name on it to prove you are the original owner.

May 29, 2024 6:33 AM in response to Oichoooooo

Oichoooooo wrote:

Do you realize you are responding to a person that posted the question this question 9 months ago?


Also posting links to third party sites that claim to be able to remove the Activation Lock is irresponsible as many users have simply lost money through these attempts. These kind of responses are typical for AI generated content and is subject to removal of the post. This violation is stated clearly in the Terms of Use for this site that may need to be reviwed:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

Sep 4, 2024 2:24 PM in response to farxan208

farxan208 wrote:

Please help me to unlock my iPhone 11 mini


Which lock?


There are different locks, including passcode, Activation Lock, carrier lock, and some others:


Here is: How to Unlock an iPad or iPhone? - Apple Community


If this iPhone 11 mini is a recent acquisition, contact the seller. If the seller has disappeared as is too often the case, and if you’ve just met Activation Lock, then you got scammed:


The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community




Sep 1, 2024 6:04 PM in response to Sek275

Re: “Iphone 7plus mobil locked to owner I don't have a bill and I don't remember apple ID and password plz help me”


Without the owner’s help, the phone will remain a brick. If you think it is safe to ask the seller to fix things or refund your money, do so.


If the owner cannot or will not help you, all the help that we can offer you is to learn from your mistake of buying an Activation Locked (and possibly stolen) “brick” to avoid repeating the same mistake next time.

Oct 11, 2024 7:38 PM in response to palesa100

palesa100 wrote:

Yes


Hello and welcome to the thread.


If this is an iPhone you’ve recently acquired, contact the seller.


You’re here though, which usually means the seller has disappeared, which means no unlock and no refund, which means you bought a brick.


This iPhone is indistinguishable from a lost or stolen iPhone, if not actually lost or stolen.


We can’t help bypass Activation Lock or bypass a locked device, and — absent convincing proof of ownership — Apple won’t.


if the seller has vanished, recycle it. Yes, really. Recycle it. You bought a brick.


Related: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community


Also see the other answers above.

Aug 17, 2023 4:19 PM in response to Scoiphone12

Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support ) and Find My ( iCloud+ - Find My - Apple ), which are designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation of either requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.


If you do not know the required information, are not the signed-in owner, or do not have Apple accepted proof of purchase, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.


Here are additional resources if you are the account owner, can find the previous device owner, or have an Apple accepted proof or purchase:


● Read this article to learn how to remove Activation Lock either on the device itself or on the web --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

or this one for disabling Find My if activation lock has not yet engaged --> Turn off Find My on your iPhone or other devices - Apple Support


● Help with a lost Apple ID or password:

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID email address or phone number - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


● Reset device if you can prove to Apple's satisfaction you are the owner:

Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online* at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt** issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance (so typically it would be the first owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer). Note that while this will let you get use of the device again, it will not help you with lost access to an account.


* There is a special link for this service. To save time you should use it instead of https://getsupport.apple.com/


**Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


iPhone is locked to owner

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.