User profile for user: agatonbant
agatonbant Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

this apple id cannot be used to unlock this iphone

i tried to erase the data on my iphone (i backed it up beforehand) then when i opened, it had an activation lock. the hint is s*****@gmail.com which does NOT match any of my emails. perhaps it belonged to the previous owner. but i have absolutely ZERO contact with the previous owner and i do not know who they are.


this iphone was in a lost and found section at a resort where my dad works at and asked if he could buy it and he did.


now i’m stuck in this situation. i seek assistance right now because i need this phone for school.

iPhone 8, iOS 16

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 5:51 AM

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User profile for user: Limnos
Limnos
Community+ 2026
User level: Level 10
447,775 points

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 8:06 AM

The short answer is you need to buy a new phone.


Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad - 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.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Limnos
Limnos
Community+ 2026
User level: Level 10
447,775 points

Dec 16, 2023 8:06 AM in response to agatonbant

The short answer is you need to buy a new phone.


Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad - 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.

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this apple id cannot be used to unlock this iphone

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