iPhone is locked to owner

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

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.

keontae14 wrote:

How can I get my iPhone 12 Pro Max unlocked form locked to onwer without knowing the email or password

You can't. If you don't know whoever originally set up the phone, you can't use the phone. Apple won't help you unless you are the original buyer and you can provide Apple the original purchase receipt, which clearly shows the serial number of the phone.

I'm going to assume you bought a used iPhone which is locked? You bought a brick you can't use if unless you know the person who set it up and can get them to remove the phone from their account. If you can, get your money back. If you can't get your money back, recycle the phone as it is totally useless to you.

Read this --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

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.

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]

Unless you can recover access to the Apple account (start here: https://iforgot.apple.com ) it's a brick.

There is no other help to be had. Recycle it and buy a phone you can use.

Bhra2001 wrote:

My iphone xr is locked to owner and how can I open it

Take it back to the person from whom you received it. Get them to do the things in this support article or ask for a refund --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support There is no way to discover the owner of a device unless they left a message to display on the device when it is turned on, or the person who gave you the device knows them.

Read this article about removing Activation Lock --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support Unless you have the account information that set the lock, the original receipt from Apple or an Apple approved vendor, or can demonstrate legal inheritance from a deceased owner, you cannot remove the lock; return or recycle the device.

From the very bottom of Apple Trade In - Apple :

"Does Apple offer recycling?

Yes. Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on Apple for free. That includes your batteries and old electronic products as well as free, on-demand packaging recycling for our commercial, education, and institutional customers. When we receive your device, it will be thoroughly inspected to determine if components can be recycled or reused. Whether recycled or reused, all activities relating to the processing of your device will be managed in an environmentally responsible way."

The owner would need to provide their Apple ID and Password to unlock it. If the phone was purchased used, then it was not properly reset to factory settings and your only option would be to contact the previous owner. There is no way to bypass Activation Lock on a device purchased from a third party.

jabrax240 wrote:

I have got iPhone it’s locked by owner

Talk to whoever you got the phone from. Only the owner of the account it’s locked to can remove the activation lock.

jabrax240 wrote:

What I can do please help me

You got scammed.

You’re here, asking this, which usually means the seller has disappeared, which means no unlock and no refund.

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

What to do? Recycle this iPhone, as it is not now and never will be useful to you. Yes, really, recycle it.

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

Activation lock is a security protocol that can't be bypassed. Only the person it is locked to can unlock it.

If you bought this from someone and it came locked, try to get your money back, you will never be able to use the phone.

If your phone is Activation Locked - How to remove Activation Lock -

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used phone -

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

lamariyah66 wrote:

My phone is locked

New to you, or purchased from Apple or an authorized reseller?

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

You’re here, which 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

There is nothing that you can do with the phone unless you know the Apple ID and Password that was assigned by the owner of the phone.

If the phone is not yours, turn it into the police.

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.

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

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

We can’t help, and — absent convincing proof of ownership — Apple won’t.

Recycle it. Yes, really. Recycle it.