iPhone SE how to remove the apple account of the previous owner

My friend gave me an iPhone SE and said she deleted all of her data, but when I was prompted to update an app, her account popped up and required her password, which I don’t know


iPhone SE, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 11, 2023 12:25 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 11, 2023 4:08 AM

You need to contact your friend and ask to read and ask to read the descriptions below.


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 use a 2nd hand 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)


----- 

If you can't get in touch with the previous owner (= your friend), you can't use the iPhone, recycle the iPhone.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 11, 2023 4:08 AM in response to TrixyDixsy

You need to contact your friend and ask to read and ask to read the descriptions below.


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 use a 2nd hand 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)


----- 

If you can't get in touch with the previous owner (= your friend), you can't use the iPhone, recycle the iPhone.

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iPhone SE how to remove the apple account of the previous owner

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